07/09 (Tue) — Relaxing day in Bangkok: reading, massage, local food, internet, shopping, and book bus to Cambodia.

08/09 (Wed) — Early bus to Cambodia, which goes much smoother than previously. Speaking a few words of the language and moving with confidence seems to stop the usual attempts at over-charging at the border. Changed my plans at the border and decided to skip Siem Reap… instead heading straight for Battambang to start work. Checked into my usual hotel (Chhaya) and went out for dinner with some UME staff. Phann Sophon has now left UME to work for a rice exporting company and has been replaced by Chan Sam An as the Vice-President (International).

09/09 (Thur) — Raya Nhoung was not available today, so I spent the day on other projects and went to bed early.

10/09 (Fri) — Went in to UME and met with Raya and Sam An. Spoke with finance and academics office about getting updated information on students and also met with UME President (Tun Peakday). Found out that one student wanted to pay for one year of their course, so would only need HCP for three years of their degree. In the late afternoon Sam An took me out to the “death lake” for a quiet drink and chat.

11/09 (Sat) — No HCP work today, so spent my time on other projects.

12/09 (Sun) –Met with the first HCP graduate Nhim Chamnan. While she still needs to finish her thesis (probably in October) she has finished her coursework and has already started working for the micro-finance arm of World Vision. She will start her personal equity payments as of September 2010. In the afternoon I went with Phann Sophon to the recording studio to help in putting together a radio advert that will promote UME & HCP. In the evening I met with Long Samnang and other Cambodian friends.

13/09 (Mon) — [PLAN: meeting with new applicants]

14/09 (Tue) — [PLAN: meeting with old students; interviews with new applicants]

15/09 (Wed) — [PLAN: sign contracts with new students; pay university]

16/09 (Thur) — [PLAN: get a bus to Phnom Penh]

17/09 (Fri) — [PLAN: go to Kampong Cham with Muon Veasna

18/09 (Sat) --

19/09 (Sun) --

20/09 (Mon) --

21/09 (Tue) --

22/09 (Wed) --

23/09 (Thur) --

24/09 (Fri) --

25/09 (Sat) --

26/09 (Sun) --

27/09 (Mon) -- [PLAN: fly back from Bangkok to Brisbane]

There was some effort at arranging a proper fund-raiser for this year, but unfortunately that has not worked out in time. The consequence is that HCP will once again have to rely on a new batch of sponsors to support the new round of students. Our minimum goal for this year (as last year) is ten new students, requiring ten new sponsors who are willing to contribute A$300/year for four years. If you (or somebody you know) are able to help, please e-mail john.humphreys99@gmail.com.

Summer is the time for following up with sponsors to get the annual payments and writing the annual report. The good news is that since my last update we have now received nearly all the money, and the draft annual report has been written and is currently being reviewed by the HCP advisory board.

Looking forward, we have now developed a draft “HCP scholar payment schedule” and an early draft constitution, which are being reviewed by the HCP exeuctive and advisory board. The next steps will be to apply for official registration in Queensland, open a bank account and then start fund-raising activities in preparation for the 2010 intake.

Receipts have been issued for 2007 sponsors ($1200), 2008 sponsors ($2400) and 2009 ($4800), but unfortunately another $2400 is still outstanding. Big thanks to all those who have sent the funds. If you are one of those people who committed funds but haven’t yet transfered the money, please send it through as soon as you can. Cheers.

Full details in the trip report: HCP 2009 trip report (PDF)

* If you are a sponsor and would like to have your business logo (or name) displayed on the HCP website, then please get in touch. As you will see on the front page, we now recognise the sponsorship of Peach Home Loans.

* HCP has a new part-time volunteer staff member. Kristin Tan has agreed to take on the role of HCP Secretary and manage HCP information. Thanks Kristy.

* This year the HCP trip to Cambodia will be in early September. At this stage, the HCP group includes John Humphreys and Kristin Tan. If you would like to join the group, please get in touch. The agenda for the trip will include (1) meeting with university administration and previous students; (2) arranging for new students, and potentially making arrangements with a new university; and (3) paying the fees for the HCP students.

For the University of Management and Economics in Battambang (UME-BB) there were some problems with two of the students. Unfortunately, one student had to drop out of university. This is one of the risks that HCP takes. We now have six students at UME-BB (two females, four males).

In addition, HCP is now dealing with a 2nd university. We have a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Management and Economics in Kampong Cham (UME-KC), and are now supporting four students from that university (three females, one male).

With a total of ten students, we also needed to expand the number of sponsors. We now have seven sponsors (and a big thank-you to those people), who support a total of nine students. With the USD/AUD exchange rate very poor HCP ran at a loss this year of about A$700.

HCP does not collect money from the sponsors until after the universities have been paid for the students. As the money has now been paid out and I’m back in Australia, the next step is to collect the pledged money.

Tonight I will meet with my friends Kong Pov (assistent to the President) and Phann Sophon (vice-President) and a few others to further discuss the progress of the Human Capital Project in Cambodia. Tomorrow I will go with Pov to meet the five HCP students who started studying late last year.

The students were chosen by Kong Pov, who is the UME member of the HCP advistory board. Pov has done a lot of work in making sure that HCP-UME is a success and he deserves much credit for his efforts.

Phann Sophon has also offered valuable help and deserves to share the credit in helping HCP get off the ground.