Ponheary Ly
“We will educate our children. We will do it one by one, step by step.”
–Ponheary Ly
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Ponheary Ly is the inspiration behind PLF Canada, a living example of how
one person’s courage and belief in education can transform lives and is helping to rebuild a nation.
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Ponheary’s story is one of courage, compassion, and the quiet power of education to rebuild what was broken.
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She began as a teacher and later a tour guide in Cambodia, carrying with her a lifelong belief that education can change everything. Having lived through poverty herself, Ponheary knew how hard it was for children in rural Cambodia to reach a classroom, let alone stay there. So she started with one child, one chance. From that single beginning grew the Ponheary Ly Foundation, which today sponsors over 3,000 students at 9 locations in northwestern Cambodia.
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Ponheary was raised in a home where learning mattered. Her father, a teacher, instilled in his children a deep respect for education. But when the Khmer Rouge came to power, schools were destroyed, books burned, and Cambodia’s teachers, including Ponheary’s father and thirteen of her family members, were executed. The very thing that had shaped her life was nearly erased.
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Yet, from that devastation, Ponheary chose rebuilding over despair. She returned to teaching, creating small programs to help students and schools get back on their feet. Later, as a tour guide at Angkor Wat, she met children who spent their days selling trinkets instead of attending school. Refusing to accept this as their fate, Ponheary began using her tips to send those children to school. She encouraged her tourists to support education, not street sales, and they listened.
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What began as one teacher helping one child soon drew others in. In 2005, American traveller Lori Carlson met Ponheary, saw the impact of her work, and founded the Ponheary Ly Foundation in the U.S. to expand it. A few years later, Canadians Greg Nelson and Patti Shedden visited Cambodia, were deeply moved, and launched PLF Canada so that others here could join the mission. Together, they’ve built something remarkable: a bridge between countries, between past trauma and future hope. For Ponheary, each child in school is a tribute to her father and to all who were lost for daring to teach.
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In 2010, CNN honoured Ponheary as one of its “Heroes,” but her truest recognition lives in every classroom where a child now reads, dreams, and believes they can build a better future.​
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Today, over half of Cambodians are under 18, and many still grow up in villages where illiteracy remains high.
The challenge is vast, but so is the potential. PLF Canada stands beside Ponheary in the belief that education doesn’t just lift families out of poverty; it rebuilds nations, restores dignity, and keeps hope alive for generations to come.
Ponheary Ly Foundation Canada
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Education changes everything
PLF Canada was born from a simple encounter that grew into a lasting partnership for change. During a visit to Cambodia, Canadian travelers Greg Nelson and Patti Shedden met Ponheary Ly.
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While touring the ancient temples of Angkor with Ponheary as their guide, Greg and Patti asked to see the school projects she supported. What they witnessed, the determination of children eager to learn, and the tangible impact of one woman’s commitment, moved them profoundly. Like so many who visit the schools, their lives were changed forever.
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They returned to Canada with a clear purpose: to create a bridge between Canadians who believe in the power of education and the Cambodian communities working tirelessly to rebuild their futures. In 2010, PLF Canada was established, giving Canadians the opportunity to contribute directly to this transformative work.
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​​​Today, PLF Canada supports the education of hundreds of students across northwestern Cambodia, providing access to learning, nutrition, supplies, and opportunity. The foundation operates in close partnership with the PLF Cambodia, ensuring that every dollar raised goes directly to programs that help children stay in school and thrive.
From one meeting between a tour guide and two travelers, a movement of hope has grown, proof that compassion,
when put into action, can cross borders and change lives.
Board of Directors
Kim’s connection to PLF Canada goes back over a decade. In 2011, she travelled to Cambodia for the first time after seeing Ponheary’s story featured in the 2010 CNN Heroes Awards. That trip led her to Knar School, where she helped run a bike clinic - and it didn’t stop there. Over the years, Kim has returned to Cambodia many times, most recently to help lead a Food Evaluation Study alongside PLF staff. Professionally, Kim brings a wealth of experience sourcing and managing funding, organizing international film shoots, and telling powerful, people-centered stories. After her early experiences in Cambodia, she felt inspired to learn more about global development, going on to earn a Certificate in Food Security and train with The Global Citizens’ Initiative in leadership and sustainability.
Kim K, Executive Director/Chair
Greg is one of the founders of PLFC, who continues to serve on the board. Seeing Ponheary’s work for the first time in 2008, and meeting the children of Koh Ker school, was a life-changing experience. Greg has been proud to help support Ponheary’s work there since. Greg is a television writer and producer who believes in the power of story-telling. Ponheary’s story - from surviving the Khmer Rouge as a young teacher to devoting her life to helping Cambodian children escape poverty and write their own lives’ story… is pure inspiration.
Greg N, Board Member
Gail K, Board Member
Over the years, Gail has worked in both the business world and the non-profit space, leading teams big and small. What’s stayed with her most isn’t the titles or the projects, it’s the people. She’s learned that good leadership is about showing up, listening, and working side by side toward something that matters.
Lately, her focus has been on giving back. With the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society, she serves as a Board Member and Director of Communications, while also volunteering as a driver, helping patients get to their treatments and sharing the stories that keep the mission alive. It’s humbling work that reminds her how much kindness can ease someone’s hardest days. She also recently joined the board of the PLF Canada, supporting education for children in Cambodia. She believes deeply in what education can do, it opens doors, widens futures, and gives young people the chance to dream beyond
their circumstances.