What began as a single medical mission in July 2019 became a movement — a commitment to serve the forgotten families of Tonle Sap, Cambodia, with dignity, care, and hope.
To help support, facilitate, and sustain access to basic medical, social, and educational care for the most needy communities around the world.
At International Humanitarian Missions (IHM), our goal is to leverage our expertise in healthcare, business, education, and technology to deliver impactful and sustainable solutions to the impoverished communities residing in the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake.
Our mission is to establish local aid in Asia — providing education, food, clean water, and medical care so the next generation can grow strong and make a lasting impact in their community.
We partner directly with the families we serve. We build what they need, when they need it, and we stay the course long after the first visit.
In early 2019, two U.S.-based NGOs — Agape International Missions (led by Mr. Richard Botkin) and ILazaro Charity (led by Mrs. Hoa Nguyen) — reached out to a group of Southern California-based Vietnamese American mobile healthcare volunteers, organized by Dr. Mai-Khanh Tran. They invited the team to collaborate on a Cambodia mobile healthcare mission.
Agape had been fighting human and child trafficking in Cambodia since 2005. ILazaro had been working with Cambodia-based Catholic nuns to assist the stateless Vietnamese living in the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake since 2016.
Because there was a dire need for Vietnamese-speaking healthcare services in Cambodia — and both host organizations were operationally and legally capable of hosting a team — the volunteer team decided to collaborate.
Within 4 months, the team mobilized, collected donations, prepared, and successfully carried out the July 2019 Cambodia mobile healthcare mission — the first-ever anchored by a mostly Vietnamese American team.
Throughout the mission, team members witnessed firsthand the hopeless misfortunes faced by these stateless families — lack of shelter, food, clean water, education, and healthcare. In post-trip meetings, the team decided — passionately, firmly, and pragmatically — to form its own nonprofit organization to care for these forgotten people.
By the end of 2019, International Humanitarian Missions (IHM) was formed as a non-political, non-religious organization with a diverse board of 11 directors, including 4 executive officers. IHM filed for nonprofit status with the IRS in early 2020 — then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, placing the application on hold and forcing the cancellation of all 2020 fundraising events and mobile healthcare missions.
During this waiting period, IHM continued planning its first major Cambodia project: the school and water project in Kampong Chhnang province.
With the solid trust and backing of its supporters, IHM continues to move forward — undeterred, and focused on its mission.
During IHM's formative days, we lost one of our brightest beacons of inspiration. Dr. Van-Khanh Le passed away from cancer in April 2020. She and her family had been staunch supporters of IHM since its earliest days.
We were — and still are — devastated by this loss, but we are more resolved than ever to carry on IHM's work in her memory. To commemorate Dr. Le's contribution and legacy, IHM's very first school has been named in her honor.
IHM is led by a diverse board of directors and executive officers — physicians, entrepreneurs, attorneys, veterans, and changemakers united by a single mission.
As a Harvard-educated, UCLA-trained pediatrician, Dr. Tran has over 25 years of experience serving those who lack access to quality healthcare. Dr. Tran has been on over a hundred medical missions, primarily in Southeast Asia. She most recently led the Cambodia Medical Mission in the summer of 2019 and hopes to continue her work helping the ethnic Vietnamese living on the Tonle Sap Lake.
With a foundation in Computer Engineering and Entrepreneurship, Vinh combines a technical mindset with a heart for service. He believes success isn't just about building systems, but about showing up for people. Inspired by his family and guided by a lifelong commitment to give back, Vinh seeks to use his skills and experience to serve others and contribute to meaningful, lasting change.
Traci is a seasoned CPA who serves her clients and community with passion and dedication. Her involvement in charitable organizations and participation in multiple IHM Medical Missions with her family reflect her belief that meaningful impact extends beyond the workplace.
Ty received her MBA at CSULB. She has been involved in many charitable projects, including accounting services for the SBTN disaster relief efforts fundraiser, since 2001. Her recent work includes Tsunami disaster relief for Japan (2011) and Hurricane Harvey (Texas) in 2017.
Businessman, Author, Former US Marine
Richard is a devout Christian who has been married for 37 years and is a father of two grown sons. He is a former Marine Corps infantry officer and a veteran of 21 mission trips to Cambodia. Richard worked as an investment advisor after his service. Additionally, he authored the book "Ride the Thunder" and served as executive producer of the movie of the same name.
Vincent received his BS in Biology at UCI, then went on to receive his Pharm.D. at UCSF. Vincent has volunteered with SAP-VN since 1992 and served on the board of directors from 1995–1997.
Vincent is married with 3 children and is active in scouting, local community activism, and international humanitarian work. He is also a brain tumor survivor.
Chau is a practicing optometrist in Westminster, California. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from UC Irvine and her O.D. from Southern California College of Optometry. Chau has been active in local community activism since 1982 and international humanitarian work since 1992.
Thai-Van is a practicing gastroenterologist in Orange County, California. She is a co-founder and former chairperson of the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation and has volunteered in many medical missions in Vietnam. She is forever grateful for the opportunities and education that she has received in the United States and is dedicated to improving the lives of those underserved in her community and overseas.
Denise is a UCLA-trained internal medicine physician in Los Angeles. She currently works in private practice in the San Fernando Valley and is on staff at Valley Presbyterian Hospital. After independent special studies in Poverty and Tropical Medicine in Kathmandu, Nepal and Bangkok, Thailand, she has participated in the mobile health units of the Social Assistance Program for Vietnam and the International Humanitarian Missions since 1994.
Retired Business Executive
Former Regional Sr. Director for Walmart Global Sourcing SEA, and Chair & Board Member of the American Chamber of Commerce in HCMC. Current Board Member of Business Executive Network Vietnam, VinaCap Foundation, and Pacific Links Foundation. A volunteer in many missions in Vietnam since 2002.
Cardiology Specialist
Dr. James Tran graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and has been practicing for over 27 years. A devoted husband and father, he and his family have dedicated their time to the cause of the poor and unfortunate in the US, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Giving to those in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy people.
Every gift, every volunteer, every sponsor brings a Cambodian child one step closer to a future they deserve. Choose the way you'd like to help.