KHANA - Cambodia, Phnom

Khmer HIV / Aids NGO Alliance (KHANA) - Cambodia, Phnom

Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance (KHANA) was established in 1996 in Phnom Penh and is the largest national NGO providing HIV prevention, care and support services at the community level in Cambodia.

KHANA currently works with 19 NGOs to provide vital, high-quality care and support services to over 17,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and plays an integral role in providing programs focused on:

• integrated sexual and reproductive health
• family planning
• maternal-child health
• livelihoods to communities throughout Cambodia.

PACE activities

KHANA activities are well suited for students who have a background and/or interest in public health and education. Students who are flexible, proactive and adaptable to the dynamic working conditions in Cambodia. Students may work on individual projects or collaborate within a wider team. Students may find subject matter challenging, as KHANA provides vital, high-quality care and support services to over 17,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

Public health

Students conducted an impact analysis of KHANA’s work, specifically investigating the impact of those living with HIV/AIDS. Students worked across updating KHANA's official communication channels for internal and external audiences, including the local and international media, government, donors and the wider community.

Students supported a research project, including documenting and designing a communication plan that KHANA could use to further enhance advocacy efforts and promote their clinical services to the Cambodian public, especially highlighting education around tuberculosis.

Student experiences

Phillip Anderson

Q: What do you study and where did you go on your PACE International activity?

A: I studied a Bachelor of Human Science Majoring in Public Health: Policy and Promotion and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to Cambodia to work for KHANA which is the leading organisation in the country which deals with HIV/AIDS.

Q: What was your role or project at your host organisation?

A: During my placement, I was involved in the formulation of a communication strategy for a local clinic which was funded by KHANA. However, in a few months, the clinic would lose its funding and would be required to become self-reliant. KHANA also provided us with a number of mini-projects, ranging from the creation of case studies, reports about other KHANA projects, this gave us the opportunity to travel to different provinces to experience these projects.

Q: What attracted you to the PACE International program?

A: It’s something different, I have always enjoyed travelling and when I saw the opportunity to travel and for it to contribute to my degree it was honestly a no-brainer.

Q: What advice would you give a student who is thinking of applying for a PACE International activity?

A: Do it, it was honestly one of the best experiences and highlights of my degree, I also formed close bonds with the other university students who I travelled with, who I still am in touch with today.

Q: What was the best part of your PACE International experience?

A: Working within a different culture entirely different from Australia was a crazy experience, it was incredible to be able to work alongside other people who dedicate their lives to public health. As well as this having the ability to travel over the weekend and visit Angkor Wat was also an amazing experience.