STRATEGIC PLAN

2014/ 2019

MissionTo alleviate poverty in marginalised communities of Cambodia through improved access to choice and opportunity.

This will be achieved through the provision of education, employment skills, community development, local leadership, improved health, sanitation and capacity building.

GUIDANCE STATEMENTS AND VALUES

GUIDANCE STATEMENTS AND VALUES

Objectives

To increase employability through the provision of education and training in practical skills and communication

To empower the community to enable grassroots change

To build staff capacity as part of succession planning for Samaky Foundation

To address crisis and emergency situations in the community

ValuesDiversity – foster diversity in the community and in the work of Samaky Foundation.

Gender equality – develop and empower women in the community.

Sustainability – ensure the sustainability of projects and operations.

Inclusiveness – include the whole community in the work of Samaky Foundation.

Cultural embrace – maintain awareness of cultural synergies and differences.

Community capacity – grow the community to improve.

Open communication – maintain active communication between Samaky Foundation and the community.

ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

In a visit to Siem Reap in June 2012, Jessica Winters and Brendon Dhu met two local Khmers who were passionate about improving the lives of others in their country. This friendship led them to the village of Samaky, where the Khmers had been struggling to start a new school for the local children.

With help and encouragement from their Khmer friends, Jessica and Brendon successfully established the small English school for children. Whilst the school consisted of one bamboo classroom, the first enrolment drive saw 61 students enrol to participate in daily English classes. Shortly after this, adult English classes commenced in the evenings.

Upon returning home to Australia, Brendon and Jessica began fundraising through events such as ‘Bowling for Cambodia’ (now an annual lawn bowls family day) and canvassing close friends and family for support.

Brendon and Jessica returned in early 2013 and collaborated with the Khmer staff and Samaky

community to develop a number of programs and initiatives for the future. In 2013 the Foundation began a women’s sewing skills program to build their skills and gain meaningful employment, an idea which originated from the women in the community. That year the Foundation also began sponsoring our three young adult teachers to attend the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) in Siem Reap. These sponsorships for advanced English skills support the teachers’ development and improve the quality of lessons provided in the school. This continued engagement has generated significant ideas for projects which the Foundation aims to engage through funding partnerships.

With the growth of projects in Siem Reap, Brendon and Jessica decided to increase their capacity in Australia by registering as a public company in Australia, with a Board that could manage the organisation and fundraising in Australia. The Board has driven the organisation to official registration as an NGO in Australia, provided support to Brendon and Jessica and continue to develop our fundraising efforts.

History

In early 2014 the Foundation registered an NGO in Cambodia and hired a new Khmer Director, Sok Saren, to manage all projects on the ground in Siem Reap. Sok Saren is a highly qualified Khmer whose contribution to the Foundation has been significant. This progress is an encouraging step toward more sustainable operations in Cambodia.

In 2014 the same ‘bamboo’ school provides 8 hours of English classes, 5 days a week, to 67 children aged 5-18 and 12 adults aged 19-33. The schools teachers and Director continue to recruit students from the village on a weekly basis. The women’s sewing program has 4 active and 9 prospective participants. Our 4 sponsored staff continue to attend ACE with high grades and exceptional improvements in their English skills.

Legal FrameworkThe Foundation is registered in Western Australia as a public company limited by guarantee. The Foundation is governed by a Constitution, which was first adopted on 27 August, 2013.

The Foundation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

The Foundation is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the Australian Taxation Office.

Samaky Foundation Ltd. holds a Charitable Collections Licence issued by the Department of Commerce in Western Australia.

Samaky Foundation Cambodia is the locally-registered branch of the Foundation, and has a predominantly Khmer team. Samaky Foundation Cambodia was registered in Siem Reap in 2014.

Jessica Winters – Director

Jessica Winters is a Director and co-founder of the Foundation and manages all administration, fundraising and public relations work. Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts (Urban and Regional Planning) from Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia and is a practising researcher for Curtin University, focussing on community capacity building and international development projects.

Jessica also has experience working for a non-government affordable housing provider in Australia and is passionate about international aid, grassroots empowerment and sustainable development.

Brendon Dhu – Director

Brendon Dhu is a Director and co-founder of the Foundation and is predominantly involved in project management of the Foundation in Cambodia. This includes community data collection, construction, sanitation, and facilitation of community meetings. Brendon also assists with fundraising events and administration in Australia. Soon to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Urban and Regional Planning) from Curtin University of Technology, Brendon’s current research investigates the suitability of Community Led Total Sanitation in the Samaky community.

Brendon is also skilled in construction and carpentry, which has been useful work to the school. Brendon enjoys travel in Asia and India and is passionate about permaculture and sustainability.

Key People

Chris Schooling – Director

Chris Schooling has been Director of the Foundation since its registration as a company in 2013, and manages all governance registration and reporting responsibilities in Australia. Chris also works to maintain connections with partners and project sponsors. Chris has two degrees in Geography from Curtin University of Technology as well as a Permaculture Design Certificate, is a town planner by profession, and has extensive experience in local and State government town planning, policy development, project management and public administration.

Chris has a passion for aid, food security and capacity building in Asia, as well as grassroots food production, permaculture and social enterprise in Australia and abroad.

Isabelle Fisher – Secretary

Isabelle Fisher was initially inspired to become involved with Samaky Foundation through founding members and close friends Brendon and Jessica. Isabelle has been a part Samaky Foundation since it was founded in 2013, carrying out secretarial duties and helping to organise fundraising events. Isabelle is currently studying a Bachelor of Nutrition at Curtin University. She believes that education is the best way to advance not only individuals and their families, but also the greater community.

Through Samaky Foundation Isabelle hopes to assist people to gain valuable skills that can be used for a life time.

Annabelle Afan

Having traveled to Cambodia and learning about the Charity through mutual family, friends, Annabelle has been committed to making a difference to the little community the school is based in. Through her knowledge in the field of Organisational Psychology Annabelle plans to assist the charity with educational requirements and general organisation of many aspects of the charity such as fundraising and sponsorships. Creating awareness is a passion Annabelle possess and she plans to hopefully expand the idea of the charity and the impact the charity has already created in the small community of Samaky.

STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEWThis Strategic Plan provides the broad, long term direction for operations, projects and funding of the Foundation. The Strategic Plan encapsulates the high-level direction and purpose of the Foundation. All work undertaken by the Foundation is guided by the Strategic Plan, and will seek to achieve the outcomes identified in the strategic direction.

The Foundation’s Strategic Plan has been developed by the Board and Members, and is derived from the Mission to alleviate poverty in Cambodia through improved access to choice and opportunity.

The Strategic Plan will be reviewed annually to ensure it maintains relevance, meaning and focus in providing the guidance to achieve the Mission and Objectives of the Foundation.

Maintenance of registrations, certification and endorsement

Continued organisation development and improvement

Management of sustainable finances

Growth of local and professional networks including other NGOs in Cambodia and Australia

Ongoing community engagement

Achieve and maintain appropriate registrations in Cambodia

Improved operations and robust accounting system

Develop, manage and improve Funding Strategy

Participate in Siem Reap schools soccer program

Establishment of membership with ConCERT

Develop networks with other non-government organisations

Community involvement and endorsement of projects

Efficiency and continuity in operations

Establishment and operation of strong, self-sustaining funding programs

Establish and maintain strong local networks for the Samaky Foundation and community

An engaged community

Strategy Short Term Outcomes1-2 years

Long Term Outcomes3 years +

Governance

Development of strong fundraising base

Establishment of extensive crowd funding

Develop and promote regular, successful fundraising events

Maintain ongoing philanthropic connections

Commence crowd funding program for Samaky

Foundation operations and projects

Ongoing operation of a diverse and sustainable range of fundraising events and sources

Strong portfolio of crowd funded projects

Fundraising

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Growth of Samaky Community School

Management of diverse and strong curriculum

Delivery of self-sustaining sewing program

Establishment of quality community sanitation and hygiene

Investigation and facilitation of other projects

Establishment of a second school building in the Samaky community and continued enrolment in programs

Expansion of curriculum to build a diverse skill set within the Samaky community

Improve sewing program capacity

Rollout of strong sanitation initiatives, leading to improved sanitation and hygiene

Effective project planning and administration

Progression towards establishment of operations at a new location

Increased career advancement skills throughout the Samaky community

Advanced sewing program and regular markets for goods produced

Sanitation projects maintained and improved by whole of the Samaky community

Delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects

Strategy Short Term Outcomes1-2 years

Long Term Outcomes3 years +

Projects

Delivery of comprehensive child sponsorship

Establishment of international school partnership

Design and commence child sponsorship program

Commence and grow sister-school relationship with a Western Australian primary school

All orphans and children with unemployed parents receive basic sustenance and education

Ongoing partnership between sister-schools, including resource and knowledge sharing

Sponsorship

Grow community capacity and skills

Support and empower community leaders

Expansion of Samaky Foundation

Facilitate community uptake of project maintenance and improvement responsibilities

Identification and mentorship of community leaders

Scope potential future communities and relationships in Cambodia

Develop and implement sustainability plan and succession strategy

Progression of leadership and management of the Foundation’s Cambodian operations to community leaders

Expansion of the Foundation to reach more communities throughout Cambodia

Capacity Building and Succession

samakyfoundation.orgACN 165 603 038