During the mission to Cambodia during August 2016, the Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) volunteers were honoured with the presence, on several occasions, of His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso.

From the welcome dinner on the group’s arrival, visits to the hospital and university dental clinic to the farewell lunch in Phnom Penh, the prince expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people of Cambodia to the AHHA volunteers who travelled to his country to help those in need.

The Prince has graciously accepted an invitation to visit Australia and attend two AHHA fundraising dinners. The first in Sydney on Friday 26 May 2017 and then in Melbourne on Saturday 27 May 2017.

HRH Prince Sisowath Tesso is a dancer and director of the Royal Cambodia Court Ballet, was born in Phnom Penh. With the appointment of his father as Permanent Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Prince Tesso studied in Paris, France and worked at the headquarters of the French multinational “Spie Batignolles” in Cergy-Pontoise.

In 2006 the Prince returned to Cambodia and became Advisor to the President of the National Assembly. In 2007 he was appointed to the position of State Secretary within the Ministry of Tourism. The King of Cambodia later appointed Prince Tesso as Advisor to his cabinet and is Private secretary to HRH Princess Norodom Buppha Devi, former Minister of Culture and currently is Director of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. The King of Cambodia has decorated Prince Tesso with the Medal of Commander of the Royal Order of Monissaraphoan – Arts & Letters.

To enable the work of AHHA to be carried out, a partnership has been formed with the Khmer Sight Foundation who assist with local authorities and organisations. Prince Tesso is a Board Member of the Khmer Sight Foundation and has shown his willingness to help wherever possible.

During breaks from the cataract operations and dental procedures, the Prince gave up his busy timetable to take AHHA volunteers on a personal tour of the Royal Palace in Phnom Pehn and surrounding grounds.

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) directors, management and volunteers are excited at the opportunity of having Prince Tesso attend the fundraising dinners.