Kimsal is the new cook here at Little Hearts, having taken over from Ma Khun a couple of months ago. Kimsal has worked in the culinary field since 2011, honing his skills in various kitchens and working at three restaurants before joining Little Hearts. He began his career as a kitchen helper in a hotel, where he quickly gained experience and worked his way up to chef in just two years. He was introduced to Little Hearts by a mutual friend who recommended him for the position.
What Kimsal enjoys most about working at Little Hearts is the stress-free environment, without the unhealthy competition he encountered in previous workplaces. In his past jobs, he found that rivalry among co-workers created a negative work culture, so he greatly appreciates the cheerful, supportive atmosphere at Little Hearts. He also takes great joy in cooking for the children, especially when he sees them eating their fill and hears their feedback, whether it’s praise or criticism. He values these exchanges, as they help him to improve his skills and grow as a cook. After all, satisfying hungry yet picky kids is a chef’s greatest challenge!
In addition to cooking and preparing three meals a day from Monday to Friday, Kimsal is responsible for maintaining the kitchen and the pantry, ensuring they are clean and organized. Each month, he prepares a menu, striving to introduce variety and balanced nutrition in all his dishes and to encourage the kids to eat more, especially more vegetables. Kimsal’s day begins at 3 am when he starts preparing breakfast for the children, who eat their morning meal at 5 am before heading off to school at 6 am. After breakfast, he can focus on preparing lunch and dinner.
And what has happened to Ma Khun, you may wonder? Shortly before retiring, Ma Khun had celebrated ten years of employment at Little Hearts. A decade ago she started out as a caretaker to the children; she then became the cook, later transitioned to working as our laundress, and eventually returned to the kitchen as the weekday cook. Thank you, Ma Khun, for your years of dedicated service and your enduring commitment to Cambodia’s orphaned children.
Ma Khun is 62 now, and cooking three times a day for some 40 people had become too heavy a burden for her, so she was glad to hand the reins over to Kimsal. Her send-off took place on February 2nd, when we prepared a cake for her and allowed the kids, along with Tony, to share some farewell messages. As Little Hearts’ longest-serving staff member, Ma Khun has many happy memories of working here and watching so many children grow up and transition successfully to adulthood. She is also grateful for the steady employment she has enjoyed for the last decade, which enabled her to put all her own children through school.
Currently, Ma Khun is taking some time off, but eventually she hopes to start a small food business cooking a simple menu of Khmer dishes for factory workers, since her new home (where she lives with one of her daughters) is close to several factories. The business would entail cooking only once a day at lunch, so it will be a far more relaxed and less demanding role than her work at Little Hearts, allowing her to manage her own schedule and spend more time with her family. We wish her success and happiness in her semi-retirement.