Alumnae
Harpswell calls us an alumnae network. We call it a sisterhood.
A growing number of women from across Southeast Asia with ties to each other and to Harpswell, either through the Cambodian Women’s Leadership program or the ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit.
We are each powerful in our own ways. We are inspired by each other’s talents, skills, intellect and resolve to overcome whatever stands in the way of better futures—for ourselves, our families, our communities and our nations.
Together, we represent a rich diversity of interests, personalities and aspirations. We count among us: chemists, engineers, astronaut dreamers and professors of history; modern poets, traditional dancers, a metal rock drummer and digital artists; social entrepreneurs, literacy experts, village teachers and budding politicians; mothers, wives and daughters; and so much more.
We share in common a beautiful humanity and sense of purpose and we invite you to get to know us as we seek partnerships aligned to women empowerment and leadership.
Reach out to Harpswell if you want to help advance our mission.
Alumnae Opportunities
Harpswell Alumnae Association (HAA)
Graduates of the Harpswell Cambodian Women’s Leadership program continue to stay connected through the HAA.
HAA hosts regular seminars, many online so members can join from afar, as well as an annual in-person retreat for graduates of our Cambodian higher education program.
HAA facilitates ongoing mentorship, building ties and connections among all graduates and current students.
During and after a student’s time in our programs, Harpswell continues to support leadership journeys and create opportunities to join forces with other like-minded women.
Harpswell is committed to continually creating new ways to support our alumnae.
If you have ideas you’d like to explore with us, please contact Alumnae Coordinator Sam Phalleap at phalleap@harpswell.org.
Harpswell Alumnae House
For recent graduates of the Harpswell Cambodian Women’s Leadership program, the Harpswell Alumnae House provides a safe living environment to transition into the workforce in Phnom Penh. Alumnae House is also available to all alumnae as overnight guests and provides a meeting place for alumnae activities.
Since its founding in 2017, more than 40 alumnae have spent one to two years as residents, joining (if not leading) efforts to organize alumnae meetings, mentorships and social gatherings.
Harpswell Social Impact Grants
Participants of the Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit are eligible to apply for small social impact grants supporting their efforts in their respective home countries.
Past awards have supported the a collaborative book collection program organized by Thai and Laotian women leaders, a training workshop on online sexual harassment in the Philippines and an off-season vegetable growing project for women in the Philippines.
Once a Harpswell young woman leader, you’re always one. We go forward in life knowing we are not alone.
Meet Our Sisters
Dorn Rachana
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Medicine at University of Health Science, Class of 2022“I live in a traditional world that says that a woman should be a ‘proper woman’ who cannot go to school to study like a man, but I don’t let others make decisions for me.”
Duong Sovathana
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Media and Communications at Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2020“[Harpswell’s] encouragement and inspiration for us to do the work we do continues after graduation.”
Cambodian Higher Education
Heng Duong Pagna
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Psychology at Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2022“I would like to be the one who influences people to be more aware of and open to mental health issues in Cambodia.”
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Midwifery at University of Health Sciences, Class of 2015“My family, my neighbor and also my community thought only men can study at university and become leaders in their work. But I believed in myself and graduated. I show men that I am competitive.”
Cambodian Higher Education
Heng Kimly
Khourn Chantevy
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Sociology at Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2010
Cambodian Higher Education
Mam Sopheng
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Medicine at University of Health Sciences, Class of 2015“I learned to be brave enough to show my ideas and share my opinion, even to let my boss know when he's wrong.”
Oul Salav
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Psychology at Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2019“For me, Harpswell dorms are hubs of self discovery, opportunities and empowerment.”
Phat Solorng
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
Economic Development at Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2023“We are the ones who are defining our own success. I want to go to space. I want to go to Mars.”
Sey Jakkrya
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
International Relations at University of Cambodia, Class of 2022“I am also a citizen of the world...we need to help our [global] community, especially people in need.”
Sujeena Shakya
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts from White House Graduate School of Management
- Master’ in Mass Communication from Kantipur City College
- Master’s in International Community Development, Victoria University“I want to end structural inequalities so that each and every one of us can live dignified lives.”
ASEAN Summit: Nepal
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HARPSWELL ASEAN WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: Indonesia
- Bachelor’s in Law, Universitas Katolik Parahyangan
- Master’s in Law, Universitas Katolik Parahyangan
- Doctor of Philosophy, Universiti Sains Malaysia“The summit experience inspired me to do research and establish a social media platform about sexual violence against women in Indonesia. It’s been life-changing for me.”
ASEAN Summit: Indonesia
Zenny Rezania Dewantary
Zetty Anis Kang
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Harpswell ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit: Malaysia
Bachelor’s in Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia“While at the summit, there was never a time you felt stupid for not knowing certain things...In anything I do, I need to have a sense of purpose, which is why my current work involves me helping teenagers.”
ASEAN Summit: Malaysa
Davith Eang
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bachelor’s in International Relations, Zaman University, Class of 2017“Harpswell is my second home.”
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I have a strong hope that I will bring all the knowledge and the unique experiences I gain from Harpswell to develop myself to be a good woman leader of Cambodia and contribute to build a better Cambodian society.
Most of the girls in my village were able to graduate from High School because my area is close to the school. However, some of them did not go for University and few of the girls went to University in the province. I also see that most of the girls got married and have a family.
I think the biggest problems facing Cambodian women today are equality and trafficking. Until today, women are still treated lower than man. The issue occurs from a small family up to the work place and even in government proportion. Women have little opportunity to access to education and being underestimated as a weak kind of human. Another issue of Cambodian women is that women are trafficked to work illegally overseas. They become a victim of the owner of the household and are not able to return back.
Cambodian Higher Education
Hor Sreyden
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bachelor’s in Chemistry, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2017“I am lucky to be a part of Harpswell. I will use my career in the right way to benefit society.”
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This reflection was written by Sreyden in her third year as a Harpswell student in 2016. After her graduation, Sreyden achieved her goal of obtaining a Master’s Degree in Industrial Biotechnology at Khon Kaen Uni, Thailand.
I am the oldest sister in my family and there are 4 members in my family. Nowadays I am supported by my mum. She is a garment worker working in Phnom Penh. She has supported me and others in need in every step with money. I am proud to be her daughter.
Nowadays I am a third year student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and majoring in BioChemistry. I want to work in a food laboratory because I enjoy studying it at school. In the future I want to pursue a master’s degree in Thailand in Food Microorganisms.
Cambodian Higher Education
Huot Kimhuoy
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bachelor’s in Engineering, Institute of Technology Cambodia, Class of 2018“I have not gotten married like my mother, because my parents realize how essential having an education clearly is. Education is the most crucial key towards success, power and improvement.”
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Kimhuoy wrote this reflection in her third year at Harpswell in 2017. Since graduating from Harpswell, Kimhuoy has received a Master’s Degree in Engineering from Chulalongkorn Uni, Thailand.
My family consists of my father, mother and little sister and myself. I am very close to all of my family members. My relationship with my mother is stronger than others, because she was the first lady I saw when I opened my eyes. She is very understanding. That is why I can share everything with her, regardless if it is good or bad. When I am troubled, she always helps, supports and encourages me to solve it. I remember one sentence from her: “There is no task that we can not find the solution to.” She phones me every day. Constantly, we talk about our family future and think about what challenges we will meet. Habitually, we deal with difficult situations and prepare ourselves for future issues. I adore her so much.
Cambodian Higher Education
Kaing Menghun
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
- Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2011
- Master’s Degree in International Development, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy“Since I was in middle school, I have dreamt of becoming an educated woman who could support my family and myself and live my life differently from my mother’s generation. Education is the only vehicle I see that can help make this brighter future a reality.”
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I grew up in a family with five siblings, and I am the youngest. My parents are farmers and survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide. My two oldest siblings grew up during the genocide. When I was young, my mother used to tell me stories of her family, the death of her mother when she was a young teenager, her life under the Khmer Rouge and her love of education.
“I don’t want you to follow my footprints,” my mum told me, while she was peeling a ripe mango. Her face had wrinkles from years of working in the farm under fierce sunlight. “I regret having to give up my studies. I wish I hadn’t dropped out of school.”
My mother is the second oldest child, and the oldest daughter of her seven siblings. When her mother passed away from sickness, my mother was 13 years old and her youngest sister was an eight-month old baby. My mother took on the role of mother, taking care of her younger siblings, cleaning, going to the market, cooking and helping my grandfather on the farm.
Cambodian Higher Education, ASEAN
Kim Sokngim
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
- Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2012
- Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering cum laude, University of Georgia, Class of 2017“In Cambodia, the biggest problem facing Cambodian women today is inequality.”
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In Cambodia, the biggest problem facing Cambodian women today is inequality. The male students can live in pagodas, but the women students cannot. Women cannot go anywhere at night, because they face danger.
Some parents think that daughters should not have more education than sons, because after being married, a woman will take care of children and work at home. Some men do not want to marry women who have more education than them, because they think that it would be hard to control their wife and family. Right now, most of the girls in my village are garment factory workers, because working in a factory does not need high education at all.
Cambodian Higher Education
Ly Sereyrath
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bachelor’s in Law, Royal University of Law and Economics, Class of 2016“I am hungry for education every second because I believe that nothing can change my society without education. ”
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There are five members in my family: my parents, one older sister, one younger sister and myself. I am the second born.
My older sister showed me how interesting law is, connecting me to hot issues in society with social analysis. It caught my heart and I planned to study law since I was just a high school student.
My life has changed a lot since I came to study in Phnom Penh. What I can now see about my village is that most of the villagers are illiterate. Most of the women, including women from both the old and young generations, are born to be servants. They serve rich people and only get enough money each day for daily food. My situation is largely different from theirs. I get a lot of support from Harpswell. I am fortunate to be in the university.
Cambodian Higher Education
Leng Len
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
- Bachelor’s in Media Management, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Class of 2014
- Master’s Degree in Media and Communication, Syracuse University (Open Society Foundation Fellowship)“I found a passion to communicate with people. One day I dream of producing education programs about women’s affairs.”
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My family includes my parents, who are farmers, and me. I am an only child. When I am home, I love to ask my mother questions and listen to her stories of her life. My mother always recalls the time of having to work hard, instead of continuing school, in order to assist my grandparents in doing farm work and taking care of her younger siblings.
She advises me to keep studying because she does not want me to follow the path that she had to take when she was younger. Her health has deteriorated because of the hard labor she had to endure when she was younger to support her family. She regrets not having the opportunity to pursue her dreams when she was younger.
The other girls my age from my village now have more than one child and work on their farmland. If not that, then they are working in garment factories in various towns in Cambodia.
Cambodian Higher Education
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bachelor’s in Agronomy, Royal University of Agriculture, Class of 2018“The most important expectation I have of life at Harpswell is living in a community like a family.”
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My family supports all the children to access education even though their business is not big and just can afford our daily needs.
I am the second daughter among two daughters and younger brother. My mother works so hard in her jobs such as seller, house worker and being a wonderful mother. She is really honest with others and our family. For me, I learn something unique from her like friendliness, patience and honesty. I do remember all her advice.
My family had many financial problems so I have moved a lot. When I was 6 years old, my family moved from my hometown to the city. My parents, younger brother and I moved to my aunt’s house, and built a small house behind her house. My family supported all the children to access education even though their business is not big and just can afford our daily needs.
Cambodian Higher Education
Sok Sothearath
Yang Leaphea
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Bachelor’s in Law and International Relations, Royal University of Law and Economics, Class of 2011“To change the situation of Cambodian women today I can try my best to study and gain more knowledge, so that I can share that knowledge to help women develop and to help change the situation.”
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[The girls in my village] are the same as me; they want to do a bachelor’s degree in Phnom Penh. However, some have stopped studying because of poverty, lack of opportunities and discouragement from their families and society.
I think the biggest problems facing Cambodian women today are related to their gender, for example, domestic violence, sex abuse and human trafficking. To change the situation of Cambodian women today, what I can do is to try my best to study, and gain more knowledge, so that I can share that knowledge, to help women develop and to help change the situation.
Cambodian Higher Education, ASEAN
Yim Kalyan
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HARPSWELL CAMBODIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
- Bachelor’s in Law, Royal University of Law and Economics, Class of 2010
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, Columbia University“Harpswell allows me to have a voice, to remember where I come from, and to have confidence in myself. I believe that my Harpswell family members and I, together we will become good future women leaders for Cambodia.”
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My Harpswell scholarship is the turning point of my life trajectory.
10 years ago without Harspwell, I could have been one of most girls at my age in my village. They are farmers or sellers. They did not have the same opportunity as me to continue their studies at university, or sometimes even in secondary or high school. Some girls have migrated to work near the Thai border, in Malaysia, South Korea and Phnom Penh.
The girls from my village face many challenges including exploitation at their workplace or sex trafficking. Their lives are easily at risk, and in the worse case scenario, they might even be sold to be sex workers. Why did they have to face these challenges? Ultimately, it was because they had no other options or educational opportunity to overcome these struggles besides devoting their lives to support their family members. What are other root causes of the problems that deter young women in my village from reaching their full potential?
Cambodian Higher Education