Sangha Toeu is Landesa’s ICLT (Indigenous Communal Land Titling) Project Officer for the northeast of Cambodia, specifically in Ratanakiri Province. Sangha began working for Landesa in January 2024.

What brought you to Landesa?

I joined Landesa as a Project Officer because I wanted to leverage my legal skills to address issues related to Indigenous land encroachment. As an Indigenous person with a bachelor’s degree in law, it’s an opportunity for me to provide legal advice to my Indigenous community, helping them secure their land rights and enhance their understanding of the law. I discovered Landesa during my human rights work in Ratanakiri province. It has always been my dream to work in an international organization, and joining Landesa allows me to gain global and comparative experience to advance land rights in Cambodia.

What inspires your work?

I am inspired by my colleagues, local CSOs as partners, and the government who work to address land rights challenges in the northeast of Cambodia. Their consistent cooperation in the ICLT registration process for Indigenous peoples aims to achieve a common goal: ensuring land security and improving the quality of life for Indigenous communities. Having witnessed the struggles of indigenous people in claiming their rightful land and recognizing how crucial land is to their livelihoods, I am fueled with determination. I find inspiration in the opportunity to confront the challenges faced by Indigenous people by seeking legal advice and pushing forward with the ICLT registration process early.

What work at Landesa makes you particularly proud?

As an Indigenous person, I feel proud to work at Landesa, an international organization that focuses on securing land rights and women’s rights worldwide. Additionally, Landesa has provided me with new experiences and knowledge to build my own capacity to continue helping the indigenous community in the future.

How do you spend your time when you’re not working?

I spend a lot of my free time helping my family with agriculture, camping, reading, and researching. Additionally, I now dedicate time to improving my English language skills through online short courses.

Describe your vision for a better world.

I want a world where we respect indigenous rights and ensure the self-determination and sustainability of indigenous communities. By securing land tenure rights, these communities can safeguard their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and natural resources.