Happy New Year! For many ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, this weekend is a time of celebration.

At Harpswell’s dormitories, Cambodian Women’s Leadership students, staff, and Leadership Residents celebrated with favorite food and traditional Khmer games.

At Harpswell, we know that women lead the way to positive change. We’re proud that each and every one of our Cambodian Women’s Leadership students indicated through an anonymous survey that Harpswell has helped them become a leader at school, work or in their communities!

Smile! We love looking back at the memories of the 2023 ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit. In just two short months, the 2024 Summit will be kicking off in Penang - keep an eye on our socials for updates and photos!

Each year, Cambodian Women’s Leadership alumnae gather with current students to celebrate HAA Day. This event gives current students inspiration for the future, while also connecting generations of students and alumnae: nurturing the community that makes Harpswell so special.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we’re sharing this year’s Cambodian Women’s Leadership Women’s Day party in the dorms. With an annual sustainable fashion show alongside dance and music performances, this celebration was one to remember!

First year students in Harpswell’s Cambodian Women’s Leadership program have been busy with Digital Literacy training. Supported by senior sisters and staff, first years have learned skills like how to utilize Google Calendar, send professional emails and navigate Microsoft Word.

Dance is a universal language. Many of the ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit participants share a traditional dance from their home country during the Summit’s annual cultural night. We love seeing young women share beautiful elements of their culture with such joy and enthusiasm!

Harpswell’s US Scholars had a fantastic time exploring New England with Harpswell Founder and Board member Alan Lightman and former Leadership Residents Madison McDougall and Kimi Nguyen this past winter. These opportunities make the US Scholars program even more impactful!

Recently, students were honored to meet Harpswell Board Member Clara Péron, who was the very first Leadership Resident in 2007. She is spending part of her sabbatical from her own Berlin-based consulting firm in Phnom Penh, teaching and learning from students, alumnae and staff.

Harpswell’s support doesn’t stop when the ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit ends.

Grant awards for participants have supported efforts like a book collection program for Laotian children, an online sexual harassment training and an off-season farming project for Filipina women.

This International Women’s Day, Harpswell is proud to be investing in women in every sector. We know that women play vital roles in building resilient communities, and we are proud to stand alongside Harpswell’s alumnae as they lead in accelerating progress. #InvestInWomen

At Harpswell’s Cambodian Women’s Leadership Program, Reading Club gives students a chance to read current events together. Ke Manut ‘26 shared: “After 2 months, I already feel my vocabulary has improved. Now, I feel brave enough to read articles aloud in Critical Thinking class.”

Problem solving is just one of many skills that Harpswell’s Cambodian Women’s Leadership students strengthen during their time in dorms. For Roeurn Lychhe ‘23, it also is a part of how she defines #creativity .
Watch here to hear about Lychhe’s thoughts on the creative process.

Civic engagement has been at the heart of Harpswell’s leadership curriculum for years, thanks in great part to Interim Executive Director and Board Member Alison Pavia. At the 2023 ASEAN Summit, Alison shared about how civic engagement can be sought out in every community!

What’s your first stop in a new city?

Recently arrived Leadership Residents and first year Harpswell Cambodian Women’s Leadership students visited the Royal Palace together for their first excursion into Phnom Penh. Everyone enjoyed the chance to explore their new home!

“The រីក RIK Community was founded so youth don’t have to struggle alone.”

Read more about how former Harpswell Leadership Resident Shalini Ravind applied her learnings from the dorms to create a community safe space for Phnom Penh’s youth here: harpswell.org/news-events/cr….

Harpswell women are confident, courageous leaders. They continue to inspire us with their determination and dreams for bright futures!

Happy Lunar New Year! All across Southeast Asia, our Harpswell community welcomed the year of the dragon this weekend with family and friends. How are you celebrating?

For #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience , Harpswell bioengineering student Aing Gechngim '25 shared her motivation. For her, Cambodia’s future 'needs youth to create high-quality agricultural products to promote good health for all' which drives her passion in food science.

Welcome the Harpswell Class of 2027! These 21 incredible young women joined the Harpswell family in January, arriving at the Cambodian Women's Leadership dormitories with families and friends for an emotional day of celebration. We can’t wait to follow their leadership journeys!