Our Mission: Support Education Through Traving

About NDCCO

At the heart of our hostel lies something much bigger than accommodation — the New Dream Cambodian Children Organization (NDCCO). When we first connected with the school, there were around 200 children attending. Since then, with the support of The Drop-Inn Hostel next door, NDCCO has grown to welcome over 370 students, and the number is still rising. By building our hostel beside the school, we’ve helped create a sustainable income and a flow of volunteers to ensure Cambodia’s youth have the chance to receive a good education, nutritious food, and brighter futures. Many Cambodian families cannot afford public education. Schooling requires money for uniforms, supplies, and transportation — costs that are simply impossible for poor households. NDCCO steps in to bridge that gap, offering free English lessons, daily meals, and family support programs. Learning English is especially important, as it gives children access to better jobs in Cambodia’s growing tourism and hospitality industries.

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Kim’s Story

Kimlean Voeun is one of those rare people whose light brightens the lives of everyone around him. Born into poverty, Kimlean ran away from home at the age of 13, determined to change his life. He walked for three days without food or water before reaching Siem Reap, where Buddhist monks gave him sanctuary. He stayed in a monastery for three years, learned English, and eventually took his first job in a restaurant. When he received his first salary, he immediately sent half of it home to his family — the first time they had heard from him in three years. Through hard work and determination, Kimlean saved enough to buy a motorbike and began working as a taxi driver. Later, he purchased a tuk-tuk and built a successful livelihood giving tours around Angkor Wat. But seeing children in his village struggling with the same poverty he had faced reminded him of his own childhood. He knew he had to act.

In 2014, Kimlean founded a free English school for poor children, funding it entirely from his own earnings. The school quickly became a vital resource in the community. Beyond education, Kimlean also began supporting 45 local families with monthly rice donations, all from his own pocket. He worked tirelessly — seven days a week, from 7 am until 1 am — to sustain both his family (his wife, four daughters, and one son) and the school. In February 2018, a traveler named Paul Bane Smith visited Angkor Wat and happened upon Kimlean and the school. Inspired by the children’s eagerness to learn, Paul knew he couldn’t just return home without helping. He began a fundraising campaign, and the support was overwhelming.

By April 2018, donations allowed NDCCO to purchase its official charity license ($2,500) and register as a recognized NGO. In May 2018, the school bought land for $20,000 to build a permanent home for education — a major step toward sustainability.

Today, NDCCO provides free English lessons five days a week for hundreds of children aged 6–17. Students also receive a daily nutritious meal, which not only ensures they stay healthy but also eases the burden on struggling families and keeps children in school.

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