Letter from Banteay Prieb VOLUME. 35
From April to June 2019
CONTEXT Letter from BP
BP Life
Story of Sol
BP Focus
BP News
_Homecoming Day
BP Interview _Story of 5 Graudates
BP Products
Letter from BP
Hello. Friends of BP! This is Sol Lee, a volunteer in BP since this March. I'd like to share my experience and thoughts as BP volunteer. I had visted BP for a few days last October, this was when I decided to become a volunteer. When I visited BP, I loved its peaceful atmosphere and unique community life with all students and some staff living together. Students were not only studying together but also cooking, playing, singing together. I also wanted to be a part of them.
Above. At the PeaceCafe where one can buy some crafts from BP. With Jesuit Cambodia Mission volunteers and staff; Kathy, Chanda, Sol, Borey (From the left). Right. Sol interviews a student.
When I joined the BP tour last October, I heard two interesting stories. One was about the name of BP. 'Banteay Prieb' means 'center of the dove.' It got its name because BP was an army base which was used also to keep doves for communication. BP founders, however, decided to keep its name thinking the dove can mean peace as well. Hearing the story, I got to love the BP symbol even more. Second story was about brother Richie who sacrificed himself to save students' life in 1996. We can still see the mark from the grenade. A week before the incident, he wrote in his diary that he really loved his students and he could die for them. In the memory of Richie, BP students carved a special sculpture and it is in the middle of BP now. Below the sculpture, a bottle with his blood was buried. I felt BP has been keeping his spirit, love, mercy, compassion very well.
As a volunteer, I collect information, interview students, take picture, and write articles. Anyone can enjoy this if one likes to meet people. I realized BP students are willing to share their stories. They often feel shy to be taken a photo of, but usually they like to talk about their life. I am impressed by many students who are very open minded. Current and graduate students were not afraid to share their past and present difficulties. They want to express their gratitude, and encourage other students. I was touched not only by their story but also of their willingness. When I am not busy writing articles, I am often invited to students' or teachers' meetings. As more than 10 students live in 1 house, there are some difficulties including house chores. Student representatives from each house share opinions and discuss with others.After a few months, students are now more active to raise issues in the meeting. Students have learned how to share difficulties in the monthly student meetings. I can see that students try their best to solve problems in a mature way. Students often approach house teachers to seek for advice. House teachers gather together for a weekly meeting, too. I felt it's a very organized system that members can share their issues. If someone is sick, many
people worry together like a family. If a student has trouble studying, they put their heads together to discuss how to help him or her. Whenever I attend the meetings, I can see this is what a real community looks like. It is where members are willing to get involved in community issues showing their passion and attention. Because they love the community, they try to put more time and effort for each other. Thanks to them, I am also learning how to love and be more attentive. I am happy that I can stay at this this historical, symbolic place. I'll keep doing my best to deliver this good energy of BP to readers. Thank you all community members and doners for your passion and love for BP!
**** Thank you :) ***
BP Focus
"Look at our ability more than disability." (slogan of 2019 HC)
H
ome coming Day, it was on 29th March!
students
64 graduate
visited BP !
It is an annual event for both graduates and present students. O n t h e d ay, t h e graduates came to school and share their experiences about studying and working. Present students can think about their future more and gain courage by the graduates' examples. The graduates can keep contacting BP and have opportunity to share ideas between alumni.
Above. Homecoming Day Breakfast! Left1. Students got flowers after their singing performance for the graduates. Left2. Homecoming D a y d i n n e r. Pa r t y time!
Fr. Rudy Chandra Wijaya S.J., Banteay Prieb coordinator, thanked all participants who came from different provinces and introduced a slogan for this year Homecoming; ‘Look at our ability more than disability.’ After the introductory speech, Mr. C h r e k Vu t h d a , S c h o o l Principal, introduced BP teachers and staff to the students.
The slogan of this year was ‘Look at our ability more than disability.’
After a snack time, JSC Ecology team gave students a lecture on environment. Th e y e x p l a i n e d h o w Cambodian forest have been destroyed in a short period of time and how it will affect us. They introduced the ecological program called forest patrol in Prey Lang, too. Many students got interest on environment and some students said they want to learn more.
2018 HomeComing
2018 HomeComing
Above, left, right. Students devided into 4 groups: a. phone repair and electronics, b. mechanic, c. agriculture, d. sewing and make up. (Special Education students joined each groups as well.) Graduates shared their experiences and answered to some questions. Each group had topics to discuss about studying and working. Graduates and present students shared ideas, discussed together, and prepared for a presentation. Above. Two students from each group gave a presentation about what they've discussed to all students.
After the Ecology lecture, students were divided into four groups by their major. In a group, the graduates introduced themselves, talked about their lives after the graduation, and answered to some questions. Students could learn a lot from the stories of success and failure. Each group was assigned to 2 questions from the teachers to discuss together about studying and working. After the fruitful discussion, they summarized what they've discussed to give a presentation. After the lunch, all the students gathered together again and had presentation about factors which will lead them to success or failure. The graduates advised students to keep good contact with
outreach team and teachers, so that they can ask questions and get supports. They also commented; what could be more profitable project, where should they start their business, how to settle proper price, how to deal with customers, how to find new design idea, and how to treat live stocks in hot weather. Students were eager to ask various questions with a sense of humor. The session was full of laughter, and students got to know useful information to start a business. After the presentations, female students sang beautiful songs for the graduates. After group photo time, all students had a big dinner with delicious dishes and enjoyed dancing. Students said goodbye and looked forward to their next meeting.
BP supports students to form a strong Alumni Association to help each other. :)
I
nterview
The graduates were interviewed during a breaktime. Brother Huy and Ms. Sophy (teacher) helped the interview. Above. Mr. Seak Pi Sey (a graduate) and Br. Huy
Five graduates from different courses and batches
Above 1. Ms.Sophy(Special Education teacher), Mr. Vannak and Mr. Seom Sok Above. 2. Ms.Sophy and Ms. Latanya
Sixty-four graduates came from different provinces like Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampong Cham. Some of them travelled really long distance to visit BP. They were proud of BP and showed great affection and passion on BP and its alumni. Five graduates from batch 22~31; and from electronics, sewing, make-up, agriculture, and mechnics shared about their memories in BP, current life, and opinion to present students.
Left. Mr. Seak Pi Sey's phone repairing shop Mr. Seak Pi Sey when he was a radio DJ
Right. Mr. Seak Pi Sey's phone repairing shop 2 He also sells some electronic gadgets.
How have you been? "In my house, I open a phone repairing shop. It is a place not only for repairing but also selling electronic gadgets. "
Seak Pi Sey (Electronics, Batch 24, From Kampong Speu)
I open a sewing shop in front of my house. Parents supported me financially and encouraged me a lot. I buy second hand clothing, repair, and sell. And customers really like it. Because of lacking of electricity in the village, sometimes I can not finish work on time. But fortunately my collaborator understand me very well. I am happy because I can earn at least 125 dollars a month. My concern is that I may lose some customers due to new nearby sewing store recently opened.
My family could not give me financial support, so I had to do it all by myself. When I earned some money, I saved it little by little and then invested well. In 2015, I started to hire some employees. At first, I taught skills and gave them a chance to practice. Now, I work with 5 other skillful employees. We have countless customers now, so we even can not receive all orders. I was a local radio DJ as well, but I quit to put more effort on my shop. Instead, I and my staff take funny videos and upload them online. After uploading, I sometimes get additional income from youtube, too.
"I just graduated in June, last year! From last July, I run a salon for hair, makeup, and nail care. I earn good income from wedding party and blessing house party. "
After graduation, I've raised chickens and pigs, and planted trees and flowers. I made good income raising pigs then I donated some money to a Buddhist temple for monks. In 2017, I earned less because of the market price. It was 1 dollar less per kg. This year, I made a special deal with my neighbor. I lent a mother pig to him so that he can raise it for a while. When piglets are born, he will give me some of them. It is good to invest together and share the outcome. When I get piglets, I will sell them in a market. I raise fighting cocks. As a domestic cock was expensive (400 dollars), I bought 10 foreign cocks. I borrowed 200 dollars from my uncle with no interest. It is not easy for a farmer to get a loan from a bank because one can't make steady profit every months.
Vannak (Agriculture, Bath 25)
Latanya (Makeup, Batch 31, From Takeo)
At first, I kept myself busy doing various part-time jobs to earn some seed money. I did many construction work and fixed some machines. After three months, I could start my business. My sister supported me a lot and offered 50 dollars. So I could buy some equipment. But still, I couldn't afford a few machine components and equipment, so it was not easy to fix machines. But it became easier little by little as I could invest in new equipments when I got some profit. I saved well and I could expand my business. It's much better than before. Seom Sok (Mechanic, Batch 22, From K.Cham)
Chon Sok Cheat (Sewing, Batch 27, From Kandal)
A few years ago, before I came to BP, I made and sold Cambodian tradition clothing for old ladies. Many people, however, looked down on me so I couldn't keep doing it. Then I went to factory to work. The salary was not enough to support my family and we were still poor. It was a hard work so my family worried a lot, too. I needed another way out. I was lack of resources and it was hard to find a place to learn another skill. Then a friend from the factory introduced me to BP where I can study without tuition fee. When I just opened a salon after the graduation, I was surprised because neighbors showed me different reactions. They didn't discriminate me strongly like before. Some of them even cheered me up. I could earn some money by sewing and makeup. I am the first child and I have 6 brothers and sisters. I feel myself responsible for supporting my family. It is nice to see that my siblings become more active. Observing me working hard for the salon, they started to help our family as well. They tried to build their own abilities. Brothers raised chickens, catched fishes, and sold them in the market. My younger sister has been learning makeup from me. As my family turned into a good way, more neighbors opened their mind and stopped discriminating us. I am happy that I influenced my family in a good way.
How do you think of BP? "I got to know that my difficulty is not my fault or mistake."
Chon Sok Cheat (Sewing, Batch 27, From Kandal)
Before I came to BP, I rarely went out. I thought I couldn't do anything because of my difficulty. I also believed that people would look down on me. Staying in BP, I got to know that my difficulty is not my fault or mistake. I realized that I am a warm-hearted person who can take care of myself and the others. I learnt how to love others and hate others less than before. I can treat the others like my sister or brother.
I learnt many things from BP. First, some seminars about human rights and HIV were very impressive. I got to know about human rights and thought about many relationships. Second, community life was also meaningful and daily life was valuable. Third, teachers not only taught me planting skills but also useful management skills. I learned how to track income, manage interest, and finally make profit.
After finishing electronic course, I went into a trouble because I had another accident. But I was very lucky that I could study more in phone repairing.
Seak Pi Sey (Electronics, Batch 24, From Kampong Speu)
Vannak (Agriculture, Bath 25)
In BP, we can help each other and live together. Before BP, I communicated only with my relatives and I was easily upset. I couldn't deal with my feelings and I expressed my anger often. It was hard for me to be calm and speak in appropriate way. But now I become a totally different person. I got to have many friends from every provinces. I learnt how to live, communicate, and mingle together. I become more patient and do not get upset easily. My mother told me that I really changed a lot. It is amazing that I was changed within 6 months. I feel compassion on those who have same difficulty I had to go through before. That's why I want to share my experience and give a hand.
I learned everything in BP. Before BP, I didn't know how to cook and work as a team. It was fun experience to cook various dishes with 10 other friends at BP home. Now I have four lovely children and wife. In fact, I met my wife in BP! She learned sewing and graduated with me. Seom Sok (Mechanic, Batch 22, From K.Cham)
"In BP, I learned skills and found love of my life, so I often say 'BP means everything to me!'"
Latanya (Makeup, Batch 31, From Takeo)
How's the homecoming day?
Short advices to current students "Eventhough today is not a good day, __________tommorrow can be a good day!"
Latanya (Makeup, Batch 31, From Takeo)
Vannak (Agriculture, Bath 25)
I was looking forward to meet current students. I am very happy to finally meet them. Especially I am very glad to meet special education students, because I can help them as I got helped last time. In Homecoming, we can share our information and experience so it is quite useful. I learnt a lot from others' mistake and good examples. It was helpful when I opened my shop. Current students asked me how to start the own business. I told them to start from small business. In fact, they can start with 500 dollars.
I attend Homecoming because I am happy here and it is a good chance to share my experience. I hope students can plan his/her future before graduation. "Don't be afraid of starting new business. Make your life here valuable to yourself."
Seak Pi Sey (Electronics, Batch 24, From Kampong Speu)
In BP, I learned that 'Eventhough today is not a good day, tommorrow can be a good day' and 'no pain, no gain.' I got more confidence, patience to have trials, and courage to try new things. I hope present students to experience those things and always be confident, so that they can do their best and be successful. For that, one has to meet a lot, listen a lot, follow a lot, try a lot, and develop one's strength. I always concern what to sell. It is important to find new idea and give it a try. Even though I had a limited space, I could sell various goods based on new ideas. Recently I started to sell 2nd-hand phones after repairing and customers really liked it. I hope present students also put more effort developing new ideas.
Courage is the most important! Don't be afriad! Go forward! Don't hesitate too much! Seom Sok (Mechanic, Batch 22, From K.Cham)
Chon Sok Cheat (Sewing, Batch 27, From Kandal)
I come to Homecoming because I want to share what I experienced. I'd like to encourage students to learn their best and finish whole school year. "Please don't stop in the middle!" After graduation, I realized how important the learning was. I hope many students can share their idea, information, and life lessons together. It is very important to have lessons in community life as well. Social skill is essential to treat customers and make better relationships with the others in the village. I believe that if you become a good person, you have more chances to be successful.
Latanya (Makeup, Batch 31, From Takeo)
Students should have essential skills for the future. It is not a common chance to learn skills for free. Students must pay in other schools or companies. In addition, many teachers not only teach but also support each students. They check if you understand right and explain more. You can focus more as BP offers house and friends who can cook together. Please ask as many questions as possible to teachers and seniors. Even though it is not easy, finish the course. Skills are truly valuable for your future. It will help you and your family. I hope you don't waste your time while you staying in BP.
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s t n e d u s 1. St s a l c r te f a g n ts i n y e d d u t u es St
som . m . p ry 8 a r d b n i l u o e Ar th o t e m co re. o m y to stud
2. Students #helping each other for cleaning~ Every Saturday morning, students do gardening together.
BP Life
3.
#Passionate students enjoying various sports
Every Wednesday morning, special education students participate in sports games.
BP gives big applause to hard studying, warm hearted, and passionate BP students :)
B P NEWS On April 3, 32 students from 10 ASEAN countries visited BP to learn about the history and programs of our school. Their visit to BP was part of a program organized by ARMAC(ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center) on the occasion of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. By visiting BP, the students were expected to understand about the importance of psycho-social rehabilitation program (as offered by BP) as well as the physical rehabilitation one.
From May, weekly art activity has started. Each student can enjoy this activity with their housemates and teachers. Students can also express their emotion and relieve stress. So far, students learned how to make paper bouquet, sunflower, and star. This activity will be continued every Saturday and one student can participate one time in a month. BP expects students can enjoy community life more through this activities.
On the 8th of May, two PRC staff (Tinaet and Sophiep) came to help amputees. It is their second visit this year. Once they come, they help around 20 students. After hearing from the students about difficulties, staff saw their feet or hands carefully. Staff adviced them how to reduce their pain. They sometimes offer new prosthesises or fix them, too. * Since 1991, Physical Rehabilitation Centres (PRC) assisted by International Commitee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been taken care of amputees in Banteay Prieb.
On the 28-29th of May, there was a Special Education student's parents' training. Especially, on the 29th, parents were invited to ACH jam factory. Parents could meet around 13 mentally disabled staff who were employed and working at the factory. 2 of them were BP graduates. After a tour, parents said they realized there are more possibilities to their children. Some parents hoped their children can be the staff of the jam factory in the future. *ACH (Action Camboge Handicap) is a place of life and work for mentally disabled young adults, and they run the jam factory.
On the 5th of June, a medical team from The Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St.Mary's Hospital came to BP to give medical service. The team offered medical service not only to BP community members but also to village people. The team was composed of 17 members including 4 doctors and 8 nurses. BP students, staff, and neighbourhood could see 1 ENT, 1 pediatric, and 2 general (family medical) doctors. After a general medical checkup, patients got some advice and medicine from doctors. Some parents brought their children to see a doctor, too. Patients were happy to get some medicine from the team. BP delivers special thanks to the medical team and also to Komiso (Korean Missionary Society) for arranging this visit and donating some medicine to BP.
On the 20 of June, JSC Ecology team gave BP students a lecture on 'Plastic Pollution' because two key environmental concerns in Cambodia are 1) Deforestation and 2) Plastic Pollution. (The Last March, students heard about deforestation.) The lecture started with a video that shows how beautiful the world is. Students realized that we have very beautiful earth home but we face many difficulties. Students had time to check their lifestyle. They had 10 minutes to feel about this problem and another 10 minutes to share ideas. Some students decided to use less of plastic cups and straws. Ecology team suggested 5R: Reflect-RefuseReduce-Reuse-Recycle. Two students got nice tumblers after memorizing 5R. Students promised to do little things for the environment not only for themselves but also for the next generation.
BP News
Banteay Prieb is
BP Production
New items
Banteay Prieb, founded by the JRS(Jesuit Refugee Service) and now run by JSC(Jesuit Service Cambodia), aims to help the disabled to be independent and to find dignity in themselves through vocational training and the community life. Contact us at: Post Address: P.O BOX 880, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Phone: +855 12949710 e-mail Address:banteayprieb@gmail.com Website: facebook.com/banteayprieb facebook.com/craftpeacecafe www.youtube.com/user/banteayprieb
Special Thanks to Donors (April to June) 강경임 고운용 곽영숙 구본찬 권기영 권민선 권복순 권영규 권용호 김국환 김귀인 김금열 김덕순 김동환 김병옥 김수경 김영모 김영미 김지영 김치현 김한솔 김홍순 나성미 남명자 노희철 도미자 류경정 박주완 박진솔 박현희 박혜정 박효진 배성숙 서은선 서형교 성민주 심경숙 안재야 여승현 여환지 염순이 오미란 왕병욱 원태연 유근표 윤원만 윤정희 이기백 이동원 이수미 이수형 이은경 이은정 이인혁 임이택 임정임 임창률 장경희 장서규 장성옥 장원희 전복희 정분옥 정현희 조성태 조창권 진상현 천상영 최동원 최동화 최연문 최영준 편경현 피옥경 한성민 한영호 한영희 한정숙 한향숙 한희주 홍일록 Michellechu JSC Kompong Thom Center CTN Indira & Bima Catholic Incheon Diocese
Hat $ 10.0 Pencil Case $ 5.0
권인경 권인순 권정숙 김유선 김익우 김익자 류미아 무기명 문승희 손금화 신금옥 신순덕 유혜정 윤덕순 윤석렬 이재원 이증옥 이한양 정선희 정옥희 정은순 최윤자 최은희 최정희 홍현숙 박순희 정은정 Maria Huh Yuh Lee
권정철 김주연 박서령 신정식 윤순희 임용성 정현주 최지안 이윤정 이정혜
How to Support us If you are interested in our work here in Cambodia, please check this payment details
Bank Name : Phnom Penh Commercial Bank Swift Code : PPCBKHPP Bank Address : #767-769, Monivong Blvd., Sangkat Boeung Trabek, Khan Chamkamorn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Account Name : Jesuit Service-Cambodia Account No. : 111-02-004010-6 you can also contribute to our work by purchasing products from the production of Banteay Prieb. Please check our products in this website. http://issuu.com/banteayprieb/docs/production_catalog Email. banteayprieb.production@gmail.com
Publisher Rudy Chandra Wijaya S.J.
Editor Sol Lee
Copy Right JSC(Jesuit Service Cambodia) Banteay Prieb