Cambodian Community Dream Organization, Inc.

Dream Journal – Sep 2026

A Healthier Smile, A Better Chance to Learn

Imagine having to deal with painful teeth while trying to learn in school? This was a reality for Len Dalin, a Grade 6 student at Sandan Primary School. She had limited knowledge of oral health and did not practice regular toothbrushing. As a result, she suffered from toothache, tooth decay, and cavities. The pain affected her concentration and sometimes caused her to miss classes and exams.


Through the Dental Care Project, generously sponsored by our long time partners Together We Can Change The World, Len Dalin and her school mates learned the importance of brushing her teeth twice a day, reducing sugary foods and drinks, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Her serious dental problems were identified at school and she was referred to Angkor Hospital for Children for professional examination and treatment. Her parents did not have to worry about the cost as CCDO provided funds for transportation. 

Len Dalin’s example shows the strong connection between dental health and education. By combining prevention, early identification, referral, and treatment, the Dental Care Project helped remove a painful barrier to learning—giving her a healthier smile and a better opportunity to attend school, concentrate, and learn.

English Literacy Teaching Program

The reward for being an outstanding teacher is… more teacher training?! Under the leadership of our dedicated teacher trainer Sitha Sok fifteen of our outstanding teachers were rewarded by an invitation to attend the 9th annual EdCamp at USEA University. There were 9 classrooms and different teaching topics. Teachers could select different topics they would like to see and learn in each session.



These teachers are shining stars in CCDO’s ELTP program, under the generous funding of Child’s Dream Cambodia, an excellent model to produce as many properly trained English teacher in the rural areas as possible. Sitha Sok, who is dedicated to ensure the teachers are trained with an interactive methodology which makes learning fun and produces positive results. Sitha, not only travels weekly on long muddy roads, but also posts excellent examples of fun learning on his social media pages.

Sugarcane Juice Start Up

Mrs. Ouk Pisey, 34, lives in Somrong Village, with her family of four. Her family depended mainly on her husband’s low income from construction work. Through two years of training in health, gender equality, critical thinking, career development, economic empowerment, and goal setting in the Women and Girls Empowerment for Education and Life Skills Project, Mrs. Ouk Pisey gained practical knowledge and confidence to make decisions and explore livelihood opportunities, but financial constraints prevented her from chasing her goal. 

In early 2026, she was selected for CCDO’s HERA Project, (Her Enterprise for Reinvestment & Advancement) supported by Soroptimist International, and received $200 in start-up capital. She invested in a sugarcane juice business, purchasing a pressing machine, sugarcane, and packaging materials.

Today, she earns approximately $8–$15 per day, proudly contributes to household expenses and savings. She has also managed to pay back the initial capital so it could be awarded to another deserving woman entrepreneur in rural community. Her story demonstrates how training, confidence, and access to capital can help women turn opportunities into sustainable livelihoods and greater economic independence.

Library Books Replenished

A huge thanks and enormous gratitude to Cordelia Chang who continues to fund our Mobile Library with her additional donation of $12,000 to purchase new books for our schools without real libraries. We send our library tuk tuk out to spread the joy of reading to 15,000 children. Cordelia is our Dolly in Cambodia!

Doubling your Donation

Itsuko Takeuchi, recently returned from her exhilarating visit to CCDO. She and her husband, Kevin Takeuchi, saw the need for funding our education program. The donation was made through the husband’s company, AbbVie (a global biopharmaceutical company), who offers matching funds for each donation. They generously donated $2,000. Please ask whether your company has a matching funds policy so you can double your donation. Thank you!

Donors

We are thankful for continued support of Beth and Kevin Hoffman who give unrestricted funds to CCDO with donations to our general fund. Also, to Loretta Carson, a longtime supporter of CCDO, who realizes that the general fund helps CCDO pay the rent and keep the lights on. Those are the hardest donations to secure so we are doubly grateful for your trust!