History of The Palm Tree Orphanage

...from a letter by Mr. Ouch Syphalla (or Mr. Pole)

My name is Ouch Syphalla, founder of Palm Tree Institute. Please call me Pole.

During a 5 year period from 1996 to 2001, I was a driver for various orphanage personnel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to earn extra money to support my family. During this period, I developed a strong desire to help the displaced children of my homeland. The orphanages that I worked with were not very successful in feeding and clothing the children they were caring for. I knew I could do better and wanted to help them myself.

My background as a manager in charge of 350 staff for a United Nation project in Somalia for 2 years and a high school teacher in Cambodia for 12 years gave me good business skills. With these skills, I decided to start a school and orphanage.

In 2002, I received government approval to begin my organization, the Palm Tree Institute. I needed money to buy a building for the children so I sold my home, land that I owned, and most of my personal assets.

In the beginning, I taught children at other orphanages. Soon I was able to admit street children from ages 5 to 16 to Palm Tree Orphanage, making sure that they had no living father or mother and no close relative to care for them. By June of 2003 we had 32 children living and being educated at Palm Tree Institute.

My long term dream has always been to provide college education at Palm Tree. It is my love for the orphans that drives me forward. If you would like to email me with any questions, please do so (pole@online.com.kh).