Building Hope: Celebrating Mrs. Thay Bone on World Humanitarian Day

This World Humanitarian Day, we honour Mrs. Thay Bone, an Australia Awards alumna and Executive Director of Lutheran Hope Cambodia Organisation (LHCO), for her dedication to serving rural communities in Cambodia to live safer and better lives.

 

At LHCO, Mrs. Thay Bone leads programmes that strengthen sustainable livelihoods and agriculture, support communities in preparing for and adapting to climate change, improve access to clean water, sanitation, nutrition and health, and encourage social and community engagement. Before that, she led Finn Church Aid (FCA) to improve quality education and create better food security and livelihood opportunities, supporting rural families in gaining the skills and resources they need to build a brighter, more sustainable future.

 

With nearly 20 years of experience, Mrs. Thay Bone has worked with both local and international NGOs and a UN agency. Her leadership roles span education, gender equality, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian response—always with a focus on empowering those most in need.

 

Mrs Bone obtained a Master of Public Policy from the Australian National University in 2019 under an Australia Awards Scholarship. Reflecting on her scholarship, she shared:

“My time in Australia changed the way I work. Learning how to use evidence-based policymaking has helped me develop programmes that are more effective and truly meet the needs of communities.”

 

On this special day, Mrs. Thay Bone sends an important message:

“I greatly respect all humanitarian workers whose hard work saves lives and restores dignity to those affected by disasters, poverty, and injustice. You make the world a better place for everyone.”

 

We celebrate Mrs. Thay Bone for her absolute commitment to improving lives and building stronger, more resilient communities across Cambodia.