Who we are
Our Story
Mother's Heart Cambodia was founded by Katrina Gliddon, Chea Nara & Seong Somphors in response to the lack of government and non-governmental services supporting young girls and women facing crisis pregnancies.
In 2010, Katrina researched unplanned pregnancy and found a significant gap in services, with abortion being the primary form of contraception and 89% of procedures being performed outside of proper health facilities. The research also revealed that 1 in 5 women experienced an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, and other forms of contraception were underutilized. Furthermore, 21% of maternal deaths were attributed to abortion-related injuries.
Society's stigma against girls and women pregnant outside of marriage left them vulnerable and without access to free medical or social services. Many families and the wider society rejected them, leaving them with limited options. Mother's Heart recognized the need for non-judgmental love, support, and value to reach these mothers and babies in their time of extreme vulnerability.
Mother’s Heart began its journey in December 2010 with four staff members, a donated office space, and a governance board. We are grateful to our staff, board members, donors, and partners, but most of all, we are proud of the bravery of our girls and women, who are truly our heroes.
Our Vision: No one faces a crisis pregnancy alone.
Our mission is to empower, equip and educate women and their families through counselling, support services, medical care and community involvement so they can choose the best future for themselves and their babies.
Core Values: We love unconditionally, support each woman's individual choice, respect each person we serve and do not discriminate or judge.
Our Board
Sopheap is currently the Head of the Urban Programme of World Vision International Cambodia, supporting the most vulnerable girls and boys in the country. Since 2010, he has been voluntarily involved in the YouVersion bible app for the Khmer language. He was administrator of the 4KhmeriPhone team to test and place the Khmer language into Apple iOS.
He holds a master’s degree in development management (MDM). He also joined the Haggai Leader Experience at Haggai International in 2012. Sopheap became the National President for Haggai Cambodia in 2019.
Sarah Chhin has worked in alternative care for children in Cambodia since 2000. In 2007 Sarah founded, and is now the Strategic and Technical Advisor for the local NGO M’lup Russey which works on family reunification, reintegration, social inclusion, prevention of family separation, and Emergency Foster Care.
Sarah is also a Technical Advisor to the Child Welfare Department at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation. She has an in-depth knowledge of policy and key persons at both national and sub-national levels. Sarah is British and is married to a Cambodian – she is a fluent Khmer speaker, and can also read and write Khmer to a high standard.
As founder of Mother’s Heart Organization, Katrina lived and worked in Cambodia for nine years. Now based in Melbourne, she continues with the work of MH as co-chair of the board of directors, fundraiser, advisor, coach, Ambassador and donor relations coordinator for Mother's Heart.
Qualifications and awards:
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Bachelor’s degree in nursing
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Graduate diploma in child adolescent and family health
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Master’s degree in midwifery
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Winner of OAM 2021
Kirsten Long is a Social Worker who has over 20 years experience within a variety of fields. She has worked as a Social Work educator in Cambodia, as a Play Therapist Child Counsellor in Australia, and within the Social Services in the UK. More recently, Kirsten has been working in the Foster Care field in Australia.
Kirsten has a passion to see each person supported in their area of need, especially families. She is married to a Cambodian man, and they have three children. They are currently serving in ministry in Cambodia.
Sam Ol is the Executive Director of Children in Families, a faith-based organization in Cambodia. He has served in several non-profit organizations over 10 years. This includes 6 years with Chab Dai Coalition, leading one of their projects and coordinating members with over 50 organizations as they worked to eradicate human trafficking.
He currently leads a program that provides a digital case management solution to over 45 organizations world-wide, contributing to the future national Child Protection Information System (CPIS). He also serves as a child protection officer for his current organisation.
Julie joined the Board of Mothers Heart in 2012. At the time she was based in Hong Kong and had been involved in Mother's Choice - a sister charity -since its inception in 1986. Julie has lived and worked in the UK, HK and now Sydney, Australia.
She began her career as a nutritionist and health writer, and progressed to build and lead a successful events company in Hong Kong followed by a coaching and leadership business in Australia. Julie brings her strategic business skills to Mother's Heart and is committed to the mission and vision of this unique organisation.
Titveasna has almost 16 years’ experience working in development programs in Cambodia. Currently, she serves as a Program Operation Director for Food for the Hungry in Cambodia. She has also served with World Vision International as Regional Manager, engaging with local community partners, contributing to organisational change and building next generation leadership.
Titveasna holds a Degree in Rural Development and is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Development Studies. She earned a Certificate of Leadership with the Haggai Institute's Program for Christian Leaders and serves as a member of the advisory committee to Haggai Cambodia.
Claire is an Executive Director in Education in Australia, and over a 20+ year career has a breadth of experience in corporate strategy planning, governance, risk, IT, project delivery and operations.
Claire has a Bachelor degree in International Development and started her career in the not for profit sector working as a policy writer in the post civil war country of East Timor where she gained knowledge and skills about international disaster recovery programs.
Claire is a strong advocate in supporting vulnerable families and women, and works in her local community to bring about awareness and change.
