Aziza’s Place is alive again with the sound of kids singing about mosquitoes and rice. These hilarious songs are lead by Dan Haney, our new Director overseeing Administration and Operations.
Since arriving he has kept spirits high and the kids laughing. Dan can be found in the courtyard playing basketball and soccer whenever he gets the chance, which has not been as much as he’d like these past months. He has been busy overseeing general operations, breaking in a new accounting system and connecting with staff. But all the work is paying off. Yi Makara, the office assistant who has been at Aziza’s Place since the beginning is impressed. “He works really hard, and he has good communication with us. He’s a good leader.”
Dan arrived at Aziza’s in late February intending to handle the finance and administrative function to assist Nader. After Nader’s tragic passing, Dan was suddenly faced with much more encompassing responsibilities and he’s responded beautifullly. “He has adapted to his new role incredibly well and very quickly,” says Davina Clay, a volunteer from England.
Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Dan was able to take the lead and provide the children and staff with the support and security that was so desperately needed.
“You know exactly where he stands and he’s very down to earth, so he’s been great to work with and the children love him,” says Missy Washington the Communications Director. “He really is a positive presence in this place.”
“I like the way he talks to me,” says Rotha, one of the older boys.
The first memories that Dan has of Aziza’s Place are nights playing music and telling stories with the older boys. He admits some of the stories were hard to hear: tragic reasons why their families ended up at Steung Meanchey, recollections of miserable living conditions, and the things their young eyes have seen. He realized then how fortunate the children are to have Aziza’s Place and what a difference this has made in their lives already.
It isn’t hard to see why he decided to return after three months of volunteering last year.
Aziza’s Place made an impression on him. “It was a beautiful place and had the most amazing colors. It seemed like the perfect place for a kid to grow up, lots of flowers and plants, art and…. happy kids.”
Dan found out about AP through Alexandra Robbins (a friend of Aziza’s family who will also be returning to Aziza’s Place in mid-May as a Director responsible for Program and Curriculum Development and Donor Relations.)
Dan made the trek to Cambodia in November 2007 and began volunteering at a health clinic in the slums along Bong Kak Lake. He also taught English at Dey Krahorm, and assisted Ali and Nader with health workshops at Steung Meanchey. “Doing public health, especially at Steung Meanchey was a big motivation for me to work with the kids at Aziza’s Place.”
He returned home to the United States in January, knowing already that he wanted to return. He worked for a year in Virginia to save up.
Dan grew up on a small farm in Boyce, a rural town in northern Virginia. He was naturally interest in agriculture and nature, which led him to study Geographic Sciences at James Madison University. Through his major he discovered Southeast Asia.
“It was an opportunity offered by my inspiring geography teacher. He opened my eyes to what geography is and what it encompasses, which is everything about how societies and cultures operate and their effects on associated environments.”
Dan traveled with his instructor and a group of students to the Philippines. There he was stuck by the landscape and the culture, one that he says carries many similarities to Cambodia. “The people are fun-loving and have very creative minds.” He was also struck by the ingenuity used to compensate for the lack of economic wealth and government support.
He carries that inspiration with him to Aziza’s Place. In the near future he hopes to work with staff to expand the program to include leadership and vocational training, developing opportunities for further education, internships, and community projects. “To make this program successful, the key is sustainability. I want to get my hands dirty and open as many opportunities for human development as possible.”
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