About Tean Thor

Tean Thor is Khmer for ‘Acts of Compassion.’  Our mission is to help the most vulnerable members of Cambodian society to work together for common development.

Tean Thor Association (TTA) adheres to the principle that development must take place in both the physical and spiritual aspects of a community. Accordingly we incorporate into our work strategies which take into account traditional and spiritual concerns, along with respect for human rights.

TTA is a local Cambodian organisation: non-profit, non-religious, and politically neutral. Our headquarters are in Battambang Town in North Western Cambodia. We have focused our activities on four districts in Battambang Province:  Battambang, Banan, Sangker, and Thmar Koul. 

History

TTA was registered in 1994 and for over a decade has established a proven track record of successful projects in rural development: housing and livestock-raising for the handicapped, adult literacy, and cooperative rice farming/rice banks.

Since 1996, TTA has been working in the field of HIV /AIDS education in Battambang, notably in the education of prostitutes, bar and beer girls, soldiers, policemen, deminers, and militiamen.  TTA has staff members trained as nurses in the border camps; these nurses have up-to-date knowledge about the types of medicines appropriate for AIDS care and methods of caring for AIDS patients.

As part of its HIV work TTA has been carrying out ground-breaking work with Buddhist monks and nuns, and with orphans of those who have died from AIDS. Staff have also worked tirelessly for people dying of HIV/AIDS, often without pay and few resources, relieving the suffering of people who know they will die, and leave their children penniless.

In late 2005, Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst e.V. (EED) (Church Development Service – an association of the Protestant Churches in Germany) announced it would provide three years of funding for Tean Thor’s work, continuing its partnership through 2004. 

Structure

The director of Tean Thor is Mr. Ky Lok. Tean Thor has come about largely through his energy, motivation and vision.

The director reports to the TTA Board of Directors. TTA’s Board has three members and meets three times a year. A by-law governs TTA Board operations. Current members are:

	Soth Plai Ngarm (plaingarm@online.com.kh): Executive Director, Alliance for Conflict Transformation and National Coordinator, Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network
	Sou Sanith: Doctor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Phom Penh.
	Ky Ka : Consultant for Norwegian People’s Aid, World Vision and Oxfam

TTA also has several fantastic staff and volunteers (read more on the Staff and Volunteers page)

TTA has recently engaged the services of the US based organisation Arcadia Consultants who have volunteered their services to develop Tean Thor’s by laws, board policy, staff policy and financial and administration procedures policy. This process began in July 2005 so is in its early stages but began with a consultation including Tean Thor staff, some board members, the advisor and director.

Co-operation with other NGOs

For some years Tean Thor has worked in cooperation with FEDA (Friends Economic Development Association) to help reach the objectives of both organisations in serving the poor. Both organisations are based in Battambang province.

Past projects

Tean Thor has already, successfully completed a number of programs in the Battambang area, funded by international agencies and individuals. These projects set the foundation for the association and with the experience gained we hope to expand efforts and assist more people in the fight against HIV / AIDS.

Past projects and funding partners

	Battambang Monks and HIV / AIDS  - AusAID (2001)
	Monks / HIV Awareness Project  - Canada Fund (2002)
	Human Rights of AIDS Orphans - UNHCR (2002)
	Presentation of Orphans rights in Schools - POLICY (2002)
	HIV / AIDS and Sex Workers in Rural Areas - Australian Embassy (2002)
	School kits for AIDS Orphans - Church World Service (2002)
	Meditation Centre for HIV Positive Persons - Maryknoll (2003)
	Purchase of Centre for Aids Orphans (2005)
	Donation of Food for Meditation Centre - Caritas Battambang

More information about our current projects can be found by visiting the 'our work' page.