Oral history interview with Soseihak Nead Bunna, 2022
Abstract
Soseihak Nead Bunna reflects on her work with Room to Read Cambodia, and discusses her involvement in Michelle Obama's March 2015 visit to Cambodia, during which the first lady highlighted her Let Girls Learn initiative to expand girls' access to education around the world. Bunna recounts her upbringing and education in Cambodia, describes the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Southe ast Asia, and speaks widely about the economic and social conditions facing Cambodian women and the ability of Cambodian girls to pursue education and professional careers. She also outlines the history, operations, and programming of Room to Read, and shares stories that illustrate the organization's approach and local impact. Bunna remembers the preparations in anticipation of Michelle Obama's visit to the country, and considers the effects of the first lady's visit and engagement on the stature of Room to Read and its subsequent activities. Also discussed are Bunna's participation in a roundtable discussion with Michelle Obama and NGO leaders in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; the recent history of Cambodia; metrics for the evaluation of program impacts in focus areas; and efforts to scale Room to Read programming through the use of community training programs
Presidents--United States; Women--Social conditions--Cambodia; Girls--Education--Cambodia; Bunna, Nead; Obama, Michelle, 1964-; Obama, Barack; Let Girls Learn (Program); Room to Read (Organization)
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2022
Physical Description
37 pages
Note (Biographical)
Soseihak Nead Bunna is a Cambodian nonprofit administrator and advocate for girls' education. Bunna has served in a variety of positions with non-governmental organizations, and, at the time of the interview, is a senior program officer for Room to Re ad Cambodia, which aims to eliminate illiteracy and gender inequality. She was involved in the preparations for First Lady Michelle Obama's March 2015 visit to Cambodia, which was focused on the East Wing's Let Girls Learn initiative to expand girls' access to education around the world
Note
Interviewed by Mary Marshall Clark on January 13, 2022. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Soseihak Nead Bunna, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023