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Our History
The Cambodia Project was initially developed in 2006 by founder Jean-Michel Tijerina at Columbia University in response to a need for advanced secondary education in rural Cambodia. In a few months, The Cambodia Project was incorporated in New York. In an effort to meet civil society groups and government officials in Cambodia for a needs assessment mission, The Cambodia Project sent a Field Team to Cambodia over the summer 2007. There, the team developed a strategic partnership with local communities and with NGO Bridges Across Borders. After filing for tax exempt status with pro bono services of law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, The Cambodia Project received its letter of determination from the Internal Revenue Service in November 2007. In addition, architecture firm Michiels Architecture & Partners and Engineers Without Borders-New York have since provided pro bono services for architecture design, green infrastructure coordination and engineering.
Today, The Cambodia Project team comprises 60 members representing eight professional disciplines. The Cambodia Project most recently traveled to Cambodia from March to April 2009, and from April to September 2008 for a field mission that was targeted at creating a viable model for holistic education, comprehensive healthcare, green construction, and economic sustainability. This summer, Engineers Without Borders joins the 2009 summer field mission to Cambodia, along with 20 Cambodia Project members from Columbia University's graduate programs who work in education, health, energy and environmental sustainability, as well as economic growth.
In 2009, The Cambodia Project maintains a permanent presence in Cambodia, both in Phnom Penh and in Kampot Province. The three stages of development begin with a Community Center currently under way in Kampot for outreach and collaboration with local secondary schools, then an educational pilot program for Kep and Kampot students at the seventh grade levels, followed by the construction of comprehensive secondary schools in these regions.
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Our Team
The Cambodia Project is proud to benefit from an extensive and talented pool of development and business professionals who assist in the success of the organizations vision and implementation. The base that comprises The Cambodia Project Board and Executive Team contributes to fundraising and ensures the viability of the mission. Advisors to the Board and other individuals offer their support to CPI in understanding and negotiating the field of education development. These include: local and international education and leadership development experts, academic advisors and directors from prestigious universities, sixteen developing world organization founders and executive directors, and twelve CEOs.
Meet our 2009 Field Team
The 2009 field team currently in Cambodia comprises 22 members working to enhance The
Cambodia Project education and health programs, develop revenue
generation for growth and sustainability, and prepare land for the
school construction in Kep. The team is joined by a filmmaker who documents our work, as well as Engineers Without Borders-New York, and a representative from Columbia University's course Engineering for Developing Communities.
Meet our 2008 Field Team
In
2008, The Cambodia Project sent a field team of volunteer educators
and economists to work in Phnom Penh and the rural regions of Kep
and Kampot, while the U.S. stateside team worked in support through
writing grant applications, planning fundraising events, creating
marketing materials, and conducting research in the areas of
engineering, energy, enviornmental policy, healthcare, and education.
Leadership
Jean-Michel Tijerina, CEO & Founder
 Jean-Michel Tijerina is the 39-year old entrepreneur and founder of The Cambodia Project. His interest in Asia originated from traveling to Hong Kong for the handover to China in 1997. Jean-Michel studied East Asian Studies and Economics at Columbia University where he was President of his class and was a Fellow with the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. In particular, he organized the Tsunami Relief Fundraiser at Columbia University in 2005 and is twice recipient to the Columbia University Leadership and Service Award. He continues to serve as Special Advisor to Columbia Students for International Service. While traveling to Cambodia in 2006, he discovered a clear need for improved access to basic country infrastructure and education, inspiring him to take action. Upon his return to the states and since, he has assembled a team of over 80 bright, talented and experienced professionals spanning the academic, nonprofit, and business sectors.
Howard Brooks, Strategic Planning Advisor
 Howard Brooks is Director of New Media and Strategic Marketing at Metropolitan Talent Inc. He studied International Affairs at the University of Southern California and brings extensive experience in non-profit management and corporate development. As a board member for The Cambodia Project, Howard provides vital support with strategic planning, finance and marketing.
Min Sor, Programs Advisor
Min Sor
joins The Cambodia Project as Programs Advisor. Formerly Country Director for Room to Read in Cambodia, Min Sor has worked for 22 years with NGOs and
UN agency services and integrated development works with experience in project
and program management, as well as administrative positions through Executive
Director capacity overseeing annual budgets of over 2 million dollars. He currently serves as Regional Director for Asian School
of Development and Cross-Cultural Studies (ASDECS). With ASDECS,
Min Sor provides technical support in facilitating strategic business and
marketing plans for the Indochina Countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, liaising with development
and education agencies. From 2007 to 2009, as Country Director of Room
to Read-Cambodia, Min Sor oversaw
strategic and tactical execution of the implementation, coordination,
development, expansion, monitoring and evaluation of Education Program
works. From 2004 to 2007, Min Sor was
Country Director for Habitat for Humanity, where he led senior management and
leadership to develop capacity for the national organization and its Advisory
Council to ensure effective consultation on strategic and operational
development. In 2009, Min Sor joins The Cambodia Project to provide strategic
positioning for the implementation and development of organizational non profit
programs.
Alexandra Belcher, Health Program Manager
Alexandra is
currently completing her masters in public health at Columbia
University, Mailman School of Public Health with a focus on
sociomedical sciences and health promotion. Alexandra's interest in
global health stems from her work with immigrant communities in the
Greater Boston area, having volunteered extensively with Asian,
Hispanic, and other minority populations. She is a graduate of Harvard
College where she studied government and social theory. Alexandra
oversees The Cambodia Project's efforts to meet the health needs of the
school communities with a focus on the health clinic, health systems,
and health education.
Cody Campbell, Grants Manager
Cody was fist attracted to South East Asia and
international development in 2007 when he spent a year teaching in Nepal.
As well as teaching health and sanitation in a rural school and village, Cody helped
to form micro-finance groups and organize sexual and reproductive health
workshops for local mothers. Cody is originally from California, where he spent many years
working in the golf industry and as an English tutor for adult education and
literacy courses. He is now studying Philosophy and American Literature at Stony Brook
University.
Marianna Astakhova, Gala Chair
 Marianna hails from St. Petersburg, Russia. She is an honors graduate from ColumbiaUniversity in Economics, and she holds certificates in tax preparation and autismassistance from which she contributed her pro bono services to those in needwith Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. Marianna is founder to the Galla Group, a humanresources firm specializing in energy. Marianna leads the first Cambodia Project Gala, at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan, to serve the education and development needs of children in rural Cambodia and raise funds for the first school's construction.
Jimmy Chan, Education Consultant
Jimmy has worked in Cambodia for over 2 years for Kampuchean Action for Primary Education (KAPE) and World Education under the ESCUP (Educational Support to Children in Underserved Populations) Program. He has conducted research in school management, school effectiveness, health, and educational quality in various provinces around Cambodia. His research and baseline studies performed were done in collaboration with international NGOs such as UNICEF, PLAN International, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), and the World Bank. Jimmy is passionate about the field of education and the welfare of children and families. He is delighted to share his knowledge and on-the-ground experience in Cambodia with The Cambodia Project as Education Consultant. Currently, Jimmy is devoting his time working in child welfare as a Performance Monitor and Consultant for New York City Children's Services. Jimmy holds a master's degree in international educational development from Teachers College, Columbia University.
The Cambodia Project, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. Allqualified applicants receive consideration for employment withoutregard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or marital status. The same equal opportunity holds valid for those to whom we provide service.
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