News/Updates/Newsletters

What’s new at the Sharing Foundation

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Check Out our Latest Newsletter here!

tsfNewsletter_summer2026

RECENT HAPPENINGS

Welcome New RCC Children!

JAN 2026

In December 2025, Elephant was asked to take in a family of five, aged between 2 and 11.  The aunt was raising these children on or near a construction site and was clearly struggling.  A supervisor at the site told her about The Sharing Foundation’s Children Center.  He said it was a place where they take really good care of children.  And so she brought them to us.  The village chief is usually the controlling power when children are taken in by us and so it was with these children.  He asked if we could please keep the family together and take all five.

Within days, Kakada (11), Sreysor (9), Pisak (8), Reaksmey (5), and Narong (2.5) arrived. Once the necessary paperwork was completed, the five siblings moved into the RCC.  When Ann (TSF President) and Sarah (Operations Manager) recently visited, they were struck by the ease with which the children had adjusted to their new home and had been accepted by the others into daily life.  Kakada, in particular, was a joy to behold. No longer burdened by being the oldest and looking after her younger siblings, she reveled in being a kid again and being free of responsibility.  She could also come to expect meals at regular times. In no time at all, the older RCC children were hugging and picking up the youngest and sharing their daily life with them.

Kakada, Sreysor and Pisak currently attend Roteang Elementary school.  We hope they will join our other children at Beltei one day, but in the meantime our caring staff is encouraging, supportive and helpful.  The two youngest go to our preschool daily and are nurtured there. 

In addition to school, the children have already begun participating in traditional Cambodian dance lessons. This is a meaningful part of Cambodian culture and teaches focus, coordination, and discipline.  During our recent visit, Ann and Sarah watched the two older girls confidently perform in a dance just weeks after arriving at RCC. Dressed in traditional costumes, they demonstrated the precise hand movements and controlled gestures that Cambodian classical dance is known for. 

It was remarkable for Ann and Sarah to see how quickly the cousins had settled in, not only attending school consistently, but also stepping into extracurricular activities, performing in front of others, and most importantly, enjoying themselves! 

Their rapid adjustment is a testament to the stability, structure, and encouragement they are receiving at RCC. When children feel safe and supported, they are able to focus, learn and grow, often faster than we expect.

TSF is lucky to be able to accept these five children who need our care and support.  While often the circumstances that bring children to our care include poverty, mental illness, drug use or abandonment, The Sharing Foundation has a history of welcoming and taking good care of those who come to our door. 

My First Visit to Cambodia: Seeing The Sharing Foundation’s Work Come to Life

Sarah Torres Broderick

MARCH 2026

In late January, Ann, TSF Board President and I traveled to Cambodia for my very first visit to see The Sharing Foundation’s programs in person. It’s difficult to put into words what it meant to experience the work I’ve heard so much about, not through reports or photos, but face to face with the children, students, and partners who bring this mission to life every day.

We began our visit at the Roteang Children’s Center (RCC), where I had the chance to meet so many of the children whose names I’ve come to know. What struck me immediately was the warmth, the laughter, the pride in their studies, and the way they look out for one another. During our visit, we celebrated all of the children with a joyful birthday party. There was cake, music, and a beautiful traditional Cambodian dance and music performance.

We spent time visiting the universities where our students continue their education, seeing firsthand the determination and confidence that sponsorship helps foster. We also visited the Vocational Center, where we met young adults building practical skills that will lead to sustainable employment. It was inspiring to see students preparing for meaningful careers, each one working toward independence and long-term stability.

A particularly meaningful stop was Caritas, where many of our students receive counseling and therapeutic services. Witnessing the care and professionalism of the staff reinforced how deeply committed The Sharing Foundation is to supporting the whole child, academically, emotionally, and mentally.

Our visit extended beyond RCC and post-secondary programs. We traveled across the Mekong River to visit four rural schools that receive support from The Sharing Foundation. In each one, we saw how even modest resources can make a profound difference,  from school supplies to infrastructure improvements that create safer learning environments.

We also visited a government-funded orphanage that The Sharing Foundation helps support. Seeing firsthand how our contributions supplement essential services highlighted the importance of partnership and collaboration in supporting the wellbeing of these children.

Another highlight was visiting our English school and meeting the high school students working diligently to build their language skills. English proficiency opens doors, to university, to employment, and to expanded opportunity, and it was energizing to see that progress unfolding in real time. We had the opportunity to hand-deliver  letters from sponsors , and all of the students were so excited and grateful for that.

Throughout the week, I was reminded again and again that this work is about relationships, between staff and students, sponsors and children, communities and supporters. The impact of your generosity is visible everywhere: in classrooms, in therapy sessions, in training programs, and in celebrations filled with music and dance.

This first visit affirmed what I already believed: The Sharing Foundation is not just providing services. It is building futures, at every stage of a child’s journey.

I am deeply grateful to have witnessed it firsthand, and even more grateful to all of you who make it possible.

UNIVERSITY GRADUATION 2025!

Life is About Climbing Mountain

by Sou Mohasambath

JANUARY 2025

During the January 2025 Board trip to Cambodia, Board members Korey Lee Wright and Marge Stockford had the chance to meet with the TSF university students in addition to TSF’s dorm head, Sou Mohasambath (who we know as Sambath). They were fascinated to learn that in late 2024 Sambath had organized a team-building retreat disguised as a hiking adventure for 24 of our university students.  Even better, he documented their trip in the article and pictures below.  Please enjoy!

Graduation Speech 2024

NOVEMBER 2024

Watch Ly Touen’s inspiring speech during our 2024 Graduation celebrations:

MARCH 2024

What is a perfect way to celebrate the end of exams?  Why a trip to the beach of course!  In late February, Elephant and six of our staff brought fifty-four of our kids to Kep, which is a seaside resort town about 2 hours (100 miles) from Roteang. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves and spent every day, from 8 am to 4 pm, in the water!   All the kids were on best behavior.There were lost flip flops and a few wanted to stay out late, but all in all, it was a good trip.  Elephant’s son, Water Buffalo, went along and cooked for the TSF party of 62!  He prepared 10 ducks plus crabs and prawns.  The kids are still talking about what fun they had and can’t wait for “next year!” 

Sharing Foundation keeps vow to help Cambodian children

https://theconcordbridge.org/index.php/2023/08/03/sharing-foundation-keeps-vow-to-help-cambodian-children/

Fun Videos from Early 2023 in Cambodia

MAY 2023

Check out a few great videos of life in Cambodia in early 2023!

Lida sings a wonderful rendition of Josh Groban’s ‘You Raise Me Up’

The University students give us a tour of their kitchen

The students at Ben Krom sing together

Back to Cambodia after 3 years

OCTOBER 2022

After an almost 3 year hiatus, TSF President Ann Trudeau visited Cambodia in August (2022).  The trip was an affirmation that all of our children and programs are doing well.

As a result of visiting many of our program locations, there were new projects to consider.  These include paving the RCC driveway which is a muddy mess during the rainy season, updating playground equipment, painting the college dorms, and renovating a school building at one of the villages across the Mekong that TSF supports.

Focusing on the children is always the heart of every trip. Our youngest ones (under 8 years of age) are now engaged in weekly traditional dance lessons and had the opportunity to show off what they have learned.  Ann was able to observe classes at the English Language school and was impressed when Sakty (one our guards/drivers) dropped off the children at school and then joined one of the classes to improve his own English.  What a great role model for our kids!  She met Ros Chanta—our youngest child at aged 3—for the first time. Ros Chanta came to TSF after the last trip in January of 2020.

Ann visited our students who are in vocational training at CARITAS and was interested in seeing what they were learning and how they were putting it into practice.  As Elephant says, our students in vocational training are in the middle of the river and we must help them get across.  For many of our children, a traditional educational track is not possible.

Most of our children have returned to BELTEI, the International school they attend.  Most have moved up a grade, despite all the challenges a pandemic put in their way.  A few of the kids didn’t do as well as we had hoped, but they are still diligently engaged in classes and they are being tutored.  We remain inspired by their dedication to learn.

In October, another trip is planned to attend the TSF university graduation.  We have over 100 university graduates now and we add another ten more this month.  All have jobs and we are delighted for them.  One of our very own RCC children, will be graduating and we are proud parents! There are currently 7 more RCC young adults following in his footsteps at Norton University.

Board members will also be interviewing 9^th graders who may join our high school sponsorship program this year.  If you are interested in sponsoring a young man or woman, please contact us and we will joyfully pair you with a student.

It was hard to believe that it had been almost three years since TSF was last in Cambodia.  Back then, not many had heard the word Covid-19 or understood how it was about to upend so many things we took for granted.  Covid seems to be on the wane in Cambodia presently and we are grateful for that, and we were grateful that Ann Trudeau could visit our children at long last.

Together Again: a celebration of TSF

JUNE 2022

On June 18th, over 200 old and new friends gathered under a big tent in Acton, MA, to celebrate The Sharing Foundation and its founder, Dr. Nancy Hendrie, on a milestone birthday. Elephant and his daughter braved a 40-hour trip from Cambodia to join in the fun, and other attendees came from over 14 states – TSF has a far reach! It was a great day of connection and reconnection.

The Angkor Dance Troupe of Lowell began the festivities with a Blessing Dance, and then the food trucks were open for Asian-inspired fare. Cambodian crafts were available for purchase, as well as TSF t-shirts and totes made especially for the occasion. Nancy Hendrie personally inscribed copies of The History of TSF, which she and board member Jim Ganley collaborated on. The line was a long one!

Highlights of the day included a Q & A session moderated by President Ann Trudeau between Nancy and Elephant. They talked about how they met, how TSF came to be, the obstacles encountered, and their biggest worries. There were many never-before-shared stories, and the audience was rapt! Afterward, everyone joined in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to You as the candles were lit on the cake.

Another highlight included the gathering of 50+ young adults adopted from Cambodia. Many are in their 20s and finished college; they had much to compare notes about. Initially sitting with family, they were dancing, smiling, posing for pictures, and exchanging numbers by the end of the day. They share a unique life experience. One truly memorable moment occurred when Nancy and Elephant posed for a photo with the adopted young adults – lives changed forever with the person who made that change possible.

Other snapshots of the day included putting faces to names or delighted expressions when someone fell upon a long-lost friend. However, on a summer day in June 2022, all that was forgotten as hugs and winning smiles (no longer behind a mask) were back! TSF Together Again was an opportunity to reconnect, cement, and deepen bonds shared together as a group and individually. The last two years significantly changed the way we were able to interact.  

Update on Covid 19 in Cambodia

JANUARY 2022

The kids on the TSF bus, heading home from school

We have some good news to share!

• All of our children and young adults, as well as our staff, have been vaccinated*;
• All sponsored college students have been fully vaccinated; and
• According to the Phnom Penh Post, 85% of teachers have been vaccinated and transmissions in the capital and surrounding provinces are dropping.

18+ kids and staff with their vaccination cards!

This positive report means that Cambodia is working hard to reopen schools as soon as possible.  Our kids are looking forward to being back in the classroom and renewing friendships, although they have been fortunate to have 60+ brothers, sisters and friends to spend time with in the interim!

We will keep you updated as more news becomes available. As always, we send you and your families our very best wishes for good health.

*Covid 19 vaccines used in Cambodia include Sinovac, Sinopharm (China), Astra-Zeneca (UK) and Johnson & Johnson  (U.S.). 

Thank you from The Sharing Foundation President

NOVEMBER 2021

The Sharing Foundation has been caring for Cambodia’s poorest children for more than 20 years. These children grow up expecting to be either a farmer barely surviving in their small village or a factory employee living in worker housing near a city.

With help from people like you, the Sharing Foundation gives the neediest children a different option – education. We help more than 1500 children every day in many villages outside of Phnom Penh, with libraries, English classes, water, and bathrooms. We support over 40 high school students as they study for and pass the National Exam and move on to university. And we help the same number of young people graduate from university with a degree and life skills, tools that will help not only them but their families and their villages. At the core of our support are the children, once homeless, now living and thriving at the Roteang Children’s Center.

Despite this awful pandemic, all our children continue to learn and grow. I would like to thank all of you for your continued generosity and your true caring for children on the other side of the world. 

With deepest appreciation,

Ann Trudeau

Thank you TSF Supporters!

2021 College Graduation Celebration

JANUARY 23, 2021

This year TSF is celebrating 8 new sponsored college graduates! It is an exciting time in their lives and one that we always honor. Traditionally, the graduation ceremony is held at Roteang Primary School, with many family, friends, and students attending. This year, given the restrictions due to Covid, we brought the tradition online, which was an unexpected success!

Elephant and Dorm Leader, Sou Nai with our eight 2021 College Graduates

The graduates and their schoolmates attended our Zoom celebration; each of the graduates’ sponsors and other supporters of TSF, alumni, family, and friends. The celebration began with our RCC children performing a traditional Blessing Dance for the graduates, followed by taped and live talks by each of the graduates. This graduation celebration was the first time that sponsors could speak directly to their students and express their support and pride in their accomplishments. There was a beautiful presentation of diplomas and flower bouquets that we all were able to see. At the end of the formal ceremony, Elephant introduced Zoom viewers in the U.S. and translated for Cambodian participants, including parents and siblings.

2021 College Graduation Celebration

Run Soneath’s speech at her College Graduation Celebration