Volunteering: Jeclan Wahnapo, the man from Lifou, a bridge between New Caledonia and Cambodia

Meet Jeclan Wanapom, a young man from Lifou, a remote island in New Caledonia, who shares his unique journey as an intercultural volunteer. Through his missions in Cambodia, he supports local youth and the promotion of the French-speaking world, while forging deep links between two cultures that he feels are close.

Jeclan Wanhapo

Interview

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Jeclan Wahnapo, I'm 27 and I come from Lifou, an island in the province of the islands in New Caledonia. Before I came to Cambodia, I worked for the Department of Youth and Sport, where I was mainly in charge of local volunteering programmes.

How did you come to work here in Cambodia?

With France Volontaire Nouvelle-Calédonie, we offered international missions to young people in our province, particularly in Vanuatu and Cambodia. My director invited me to take part in an assignment in Cambodia, which fitted in perfectly with what I was doing at home, which was supporting volunteer programmes.

This mission was carried out in collaboration with the youth department of the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, as well as France Volontaire.

What was your role during this first mission?

In 2024, I was responsible for providing operational support to the various programmes that send Cambodian volunteers to France. I prepared the volunteers for their departure, created educational tools and helped them with their training before their mission.

At France Volontaires Day

And after this mission?

I was due to return to New Caledonia, but an opportunity came up to come back to Cambodia and continue to support the spread of French and French-speaking culture. Today, I'm attached to a state secondary school in Siem Reap, where I help the French teachers with their classes.

How do you find this new experience?

It's an enriching discovery, even if it's sometimes difficult because French is a second language here, and many of the pupils have no basic knowledge. Fortunately, the teachers help me a lot.

I also appreciate the more rural environment where, unlike in Phnom Penh which I found a little stifling, I felt a real closeness with my colleagues, almost like a family.

How do you feel about the cultural divide between Lifou and Cambodia?

Our cultures share strong values, mainly family ties and a more relaxed approach to time. This makes human exchanges much easier.

What are your plans for the future?

I'd like to come back to Cambodia, but I'd also like to give other young Caledonians the chance to discover the country. It's a really mind-opening experience. I'd also like to promote international volunteering as a way of getting out of your comfort zone.

What do you remember about your arrival in Cambodia?

Coming from Lifou, you come from a very rural, natural environment. Arriving in a big city like Phnom Penh was a shock, a bit stifling at first. But human relations here are very easy, because we share the same close family ties.

What can you say about the tensions in New Caledonia?

It's a sad and worrying situation, but I hope that New Caledonians will find a way to live together. That's the most important thing. In any case, I always want to come back home.