Jane Heng



Jane hanging out with Sreyphea

at the children's football tournament.

 Jane volunteered as an English and Art teacher at Aziza's Place in early 2009.  She has been involved in the lives of the AP kids ever since!  Jane is a talented designer and inspired the children to find their creativity and to have fun in their learning.  Jane headed home to Australia in March 2009 but we were excited to see her back in Phnom Penh in 2010.  She has been able to use her passion for design for work in the social enterprise sector in Cambodia, while still connecting with AP and supporting us where she can.  She is always a welcome guest at our monthly family nights.  We love you Jane!

Originally from: Melbourne, Australia

Living in: Melbourne, Australia

Occupation: Designer

Fun Fact: Cambodian aerobics classes in the Park are THE BEST!

What brought you here? What was your motivation to come?

I'm Australian born but my heritage is Cambodian. My first trip to Cambodia was when I was 8 (back in 1993) and since then, I've always wanted to come back to Cambodia and volunteer. I found Aziza's Place through a friend who previously volunteered at AP and he warned me that I would fall very quickly in love with the children. He was right!

What did you do at AP?

I taught the first level English class and also helped with Art class. I taught hand sewing and tie dying. So much fun!

What preconceived ideas of Cambodia did you have before that were changed?

Every time I come to Cambodia, the experience differs from the last but I had always came during the cool season. Everyone had warned me how hot it'll get in April but coming from Australia, I thought I had experienced hot but I was wrong! It gets close to 100% humidity in April!

What advice would you give to new volunteers?

Be open minded and creative! Teaching is fun because the children are so eager to learn. Creative, fun classes will always engage the students more. Plus the internet is a great place for teaching resources and educational game ideas. Be warned, the kids have endless energy!

What did you do before coming to AP?

I was designing for a small fashion label in Melbourne.

What are your plans / have you done after AP?

I hope to work in the social enterprise sector and still be able to design.

Do you plan to return? If so when?

I definitely will be coming back to Cambodia. Hopefully sooner than later.

Do you have any hopes or wishes for AP?

I hope that Aziza's Place continues to nurture and grow. It's a wonderful place for the children to build the foundations of their dream futures.

What is something unique about where you come from? How is it similar or different from Cambodia?

In Australia we have easy access to so much nature. It's only a short walk or ride to the beach or the bush. In Phnom Penh it's alot harder to get to the beach or jungle unless you take a very long bus ride out. Also I didn't realise how much I walked in Melbourne until I couldn't do so in Phnom Penh. The pavements in Phnom Penh are usually parking spaces for motos, food carts or cars and so most of the time you are forced to walk on the road which is a scary place to be. But it is very easy to get to one place to another on the back of a moto dop or your own push bike.

What is similar between Australians and Cambodians is the passion for food. There is great food to be had in Phnom Penh!     

What’s your favorite memory at AP?

Teaching the kids how to tie dye! It was great to see the kid's faces when they revealed their creations. Also in turn they became my teachers and my Khmer language improved greatly with their help. 

One last thought... I encourage anyone who's interested in volunteering at AP to do so! It's a great way to immerse yourself in the Cambodian culture while giving something back. You learn a lot about yourself and what your capable of while having so much fun with the children. Also, the other volunteers had enriched my experience and have became long life friends.