As many of you know, we are now fully immersed in Silent September—our annual campaign where we silence our voices to stand in solidarity with those who feel they never have one.

What began with just a few of us holding silence for several days each September has now grown into something amazing: a Silent Army of kind, strong, and compassionate people blanketing the entire month in silence to provide support to those who live in constant quiet pain.

Many of those we serve are living with the effects of generational or personal trauma, a sadly common thread in post-conflict Cambodia. For some, these wounds are quiet and unseen—but deeply present. Through this month of collective silence, we honor that experience, and we work to provide real pathways forward.

Each silent hour is more than a gesture. It’s a commitment to the belief that everyone deserves to be heard. And every dollar raised during Silent September goes toward offering free counseling and wellbeing workshops for individuals and families in our community who need it most.

We want to especially highlight one person who has been with us from the very beginning—through every version of Silent September, through every Heartprint transition, and every triumph. You all know her. How could you not?

She is one of the main reasons we are here! Our beloved Pheap.

This year, we are all celebrating Pheap’s 10th anniversary with Heartprint. Ten years! A whole decade of love, grit, and light poured into everything we do.

You may recall that we shared part of her story last July (if not, you can read it here) — including how her persistence, determination, and deep belief in this work solidified our move from Australia to Siem Reap all those years ago. Simply put: we couldn’t have said no to Pheap. And we’re so glad we didn’t.

Pheap has a heart of gold and a spine of steel. She is fiercely protective of Heartprint, of our team, and especially of her two incredible children—Panya and Nana. When Pheap joined us, she was young, hopeful, and already incredibly strong. And her children have grown up alongside us, too. Panya was just four when this whole adventure began. She’s now 14—sharp, wise, and deeply kind, with so much of her mother’s spirit. And young Nana (now eight!) is every bit as determined, clever, and rock-star-solid as his sister and mum.

They are our family, too.

Next year, we hope to take Pheap with us to Australia—a celebration of our 10 years of working, growing, sometimes crying, and always dreaming together. What a joy it would be for our friends and supporters there to meet her in person, to witness the spark that keeps Heartprint glowing. And how wonderful for Pheap to see where we came from—where we grew up—since she has been so generous in sharing her home, her culture, and her life with us.

We say she’s grown up with us, and that’s true. But it’s also true that we would not have grown as well as we have without her. Our roots are stronger and our branches broader because of the energy and light she brings. It’s not hyperbole. It’s fact.

Every single day, Pheap blows us away. Her energy? Like a star in flight—bright, fierce, and full of purpose. We’ve lost count of the little stories that reflect just how much she’s shaped this work, and us.

And yes—when she eventually makes it to Oz, she’ll be bringing the Aussie slang we accidentally taught her. Trust us, hearing her say “Okay, mate!” never gets old.

Who knows what she’ll bring back? Probably more light. Probably something none of us expect—but all of us need.

Pheap, thank you for ten extraordinary years.

And to all of you participating in or supporting Silent September: thank you for your quiet power. It matters more than you know.

With love, as ever,

Your Heartprint Team

A Wonderful Decade of Pheap - and an Amazing Army of Silence