WORK WITH US
Our staff
BrightStart staff is on the ground and on the move in Battambang. Their love for the children and their passion to serve them shines because of their love for God and His children.
Program Director, Remedial Learning
Bun Sovann Chhun has been with BrightStart since 2011, initially as our first teacher and then increasing his responsibilities as we’ve grown. He also serves as the pastor of Battambang Friends Church.
Program Director - Roots of Grace
Seng Chhay is a biblically trained pastor, and he has spent many years as a teacher. He is a humble servant of God who has a burden for the people living on the streets and desperately wants them to know and experience the love of Christ.
Senior Residence Director
Pisey Kim provides oversight to BrightStart’s two Christian scholarship homes for girls that come from rural villages in Cambodia’s Battambang province. She also continues to serve as our lead English language instructor at BrightStart study centers and Sunday schools
Program Advisor
Puthe Chhum, a former vice president of Dewey International Schools, oversees BrightStart’s special projects and initiatives. He applies his years of teaching and school administration experience to improve the quality of education of our students, including curriculum improvements and university and career counseling.
our teachers
BrightStart is a competitive and well-paying employer in Battambang. Our Khmer teachers are qualified and experienced educators, dedicated to providing high quality lessons to our many students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. All BrightStart teachers are degreed educators or are certified in their course of instruction. Most of our educators have served extensively in Cambodian public and private schools in the same respective grades for which they are providing remedial instruction at BrightStart study centers.
executive strategy team
Chris and Heidi Smith left their four grown children and the comforts of America to serve kids and families living on the streets in Cambodia. In the States, Chris was the Executive Director of Operations for the Grace Fellowship Church in Pickerington, OH and Heidi was a dental hygienist. They have learned Khmer, the language of Cambodia, and love being out on the streets talking with the Cambodian people. Through their education and work experiences, Chris and Heidi have backgrounds in building organizational structures and teams.
brightstart creates and promotes opportunities…
for mission-minded young adults to teach at BrightStart's study center sites during short-term church team visits and individual (or married couple) internships.
Your church team will be exposed to cross-cultural ministry in Cambodia, exploring and challenging your passion for cross-cultural studies in a third-world setting to provide opportunities for personal, spiritual and professional growth. Sometimes it can be teaching, but it can also be specialized assistance. For example, we have had teams provide audiology and dental examinations to our students.
Our internships are typically 3 to 12 months in length, though shorter or longer durations will be considered.
Our interns provide academic and spiritual instruction for BrightStart students, assist other instructors as needed and gain an understanding of Cambodian culture through local travel, mentoring and interaction with Cambodians. Use your unique talents - such as music, poetry and sports - to create opportunities for applied English, personal connection and Christian discipleship with students
Our Partners
We value our partners...
Our partnerships are personal and share common goals. They bring an array of mutual benefits, establish shared values and help BrightStart to accomplish activities that neither could do alone. Together we expend our energy in the service of others, which brings fulfillment to us as workers and benefit to the Cambodian people.
ACTS Ministries/Dr. Simon Stock
Battambang Friends Church
Cambodia Christian Church/Cambodia Children Hope Ministry
Chey's Gospel Commission Fellowship
Dewey International Education & Training Ltd
Dewey International Schools
Encompass World Partners
Lighthouse Battambang
Sunbeam Kids International
Svay Sa Village School
Vision for Cambodia Church
Youth with a Mission – Battambang