Letter from Banteay Prieb
Homecoming Day
â–ś The purposes of having homecoming day every year -To build network between alumni and graduates -To help alumni to plan their future career -Reunion of graduates -To maintain connection between Banteay Prieb and graduates -To build the sense of togetherness as one family
[Story] Story of Ong Map
[Interviews] Mao Simnauv, sewing TungSophea, electronics Kaem Hua, mechanics
[Behind story] Homecoming day talk; Story of Alumni
SPECIAL ISSUE Vol.18 2014. 07~10
[News] In and around BP
Story of ‘Ong Map’
Story
After spending time with the graduates and alumni of Banteay Prieb, the deep colors of the sunset started to spread out over the sky. We had an interview with Ong Mop during this beautiful time. Ong Mop had a serious motorbike accident. Due to the accident, his left leg had to be amputated. “I remember the exact date when the accident happened. It was the 15th of September in 2007. I was driving a motorbike while my father and nephew were sitting at the back. A big truck hit our motorbike. My father and nephew died instantly and I got seriously wounded. The truck simply drove away. I think the truck was carrying illegal materials.” At that time when the accident happened, he was a farmer, married and had a daughter. The sudden accident drastically changed his ordinary life and he suffered from the fact that he suddenly became a person with disability. “I became disabled all of a sudden so it was really difficult to face reality. I felt hopeless. I was especially worried about my family so I couldn’t sleep for 3 months after the accident. I felt guilt because I could no longer support my family. Facing this fact was really painful to me.” During that time of hopelessness, one NGO(he doesn’t remember the name of NGO) introduced him to Banteay Prieb. He personally initiated a telephone call to the director of the Banteay Prieb outreach team and soon after, he started studying at the center. “Many people gave up on their lives drinking alcohol and gambling when they lose hope. But I didn’t give up on my life.”
He entered Banteay Prieb in 2013 and studied electronics. The reason why he chose to study electronics is that he could stay seated while working. Due to the accident, he got seriously wounded on his arms and legs and his body became very weak. Therefore, standing up and sitting down has become not so easy and lifting up heavy things also became hard for him. It wasn’t easy to adjust in Banteay Prieb at first. “After entering Banteay Prieb, I got homesick for one month. I missed my family so much.” But after one month, he adapted himself to the new circumstances and tried to study hard. Now, he is running his own electronics workshop at his home. He repairs mobile phones, computer laptops, LCD and DVD players. He has many customers coming to his workshop. “My business is running very well. Now my wife doesn’t have to work. She stays at home and takes care of our daughters. She often cooks delicious food for me.” The secret of his success is providing the best service with friendlyness to his customers. Aside from repairing the electronic appliances, he provides additional service by cleaning them very carefully before giving it back to his customers. His two daughters are in their teenage years. He supports them in their studies and wants his daughters to become doctors. His advice for the alumni of Banteay Prieb is, “You may think that you can’t succeed. But please be patient. It is like planting trees. When we plant trees, we plant seeds, give water, and continually take care of them. I entered Banteay Prieb at the age of 36. Most of you are much younger than I am. So I believe that you all can do much better than I did!”
“P�ea�� �� pa���n�. I� i� ���� �l�n��n� ���e�. W��� �� �l�n� ���e�, �� �l�n� ��ed�, ���� wa���, �n� c�n���u���� t��� c��� � ����.”
After interview... Interviewees’ talks
Fr. Greg(Director of BP)
Somin(Volunteer of BP)
From him, I felt very strong desire for studying inspite of his age and supporting his family. He is very responsible and willing to live for his family. I was also very impressed by how he tried hard to adjust in new environment. And I’m very thankful for his open mind to share his story with us.
During the whole interview, I was amazed by his positive energy and desire to live for his family. He is such a good example of sinergy that when person’s strong desire of learning and living meets loving place and supportive mentors of life. I feel very blessed to witness how Banteay Prieb is actually changing each persons lives with respect and love.
Interviews We had interviews with 3 graduates of Banteay Prieb. They gratefully shared their life story with us. Living with teachers and friends, I could become confident. *What do you do now? I run my own sewing workshop at home. The outreach team supported me with 200 US$ to open my shop. I produce clothes for every age and there are many customers coming to my shop. I think it’s because I sell various styles of clothes with cheap prices. *What is your know-how of managing a shop? First, I try my best. Second, be nice to customers. Third, provide the best service. Fourth, be nice to all customers even *How was your life before you entered though some are rude. We have to be paBanteay Prieb? tient when we deal with this kind of people. I studied accounting until the second year at a university in Phnom Penh. After 2 years I think it’s better to try to smile rather than of studying, my family couldn’t support me to fight back. Lastly, inform customers anymore so I had to stop studying. I stayed whenever they have to wait. at home most of time taking care of my sick father and younger sisters. When I studied *What are your hopes for the future? in the university, I didn’t have friends. I was I want to produce underwear and sell them. afraid to hang out with people who were *Do you have any advice for Banteay Prieb not handicapped. So I just went to school students? and came back home directly. I want to tell them to study hard and if they don’t know something, feel free to ask the *How did you know about Banteay Prieb? teachers. It’s the best time for them to My aunt was a student in the sewing class learn a lot while they stay in Banteay Prieb. of Banteay Prieb. She introduced me to Banteay Prieb and encouraged me to study *Do you have anything to add? there. It’s the second time for me to join the homecoming day. I’m very happy to meet *What do you like about Banteay Prieb? old teachers and friends again. I was moved by the teachers’ devotion, commitment and affection for the students. Mao Simnav I really liked community life because I could make many new friends. Batch25(2012), Sewing
Tung Sopea Batch17(2005), Electronics *What do you do now? I have my own electronics workshop at home. *What are some difficulties in running your workshop? When I first opened the workshop, there were not many workshops around mine. But now, there are many similar workshops nearby so the competition makes it a bit more difficult to make money. *What are your hopes for the future? I want to expand my business to repairing kitchenware and even have a small supermarket. *How was your life before entering Banteay *Do you have any advice for students in Prieb? Banteay Prieb? The Cambodian government doesn’t support I want to tell them to study hard and not me as a person with disabilities and there is lose hope. I want them to try to learn even strong prejudice against the disabled in small things. Also, I want to suggest to Cambodian society. I’ve always felt that I was them not to depend on others too much an outsider and it was really difficult to feel a and try to take care of themselves. sense of belonging. There was no one who encouraged me to continue studying. So I *Do you have any suggestions for the imstopped. Now I regret that decision. provement of the Banteay Prieb programs? I think the electronics course needs to be updated in its techniques and curriculum. As time goes by, more and more techniques and materials are developing. If I have the chance, I want to come back to *What are some good things about Banteay Banteay Prieb and study mobile phone Prieb? repair. I really liked community life while I stayed in Banteay Prieb. We felt like one family taking *Do you have anything to add? care of each other. Some good things about I want to say “thank you” to Banteay Prieb. Banteay Prieb are that we have the opportu- We are helping each other. As Banteay nity to study, there are good teachers, there Prieb has helped us a lot, we will help Banare houses where we can take a rest, we can teay Prieb too. go to a hospital whenever we need and the surroundings have beautiful gardens. *How did you know about Banteay Prieb? In 2003, I went to church in my village and asked a priest for help. The priest introduced me to Banteay Prieb.
Kaem Hua Batch23(2009), Mechanics
*How was your life in Banteay Prieb? I had suffered from tuberculosis when I was 7 years old. I had to have 5 surgical operations. The last time I had surgery was 10 years ago and my tuberculosis is cured now. I had to stop studying for many times because of the operations. Eventually, I stopped studying at grade 8 and stayed at home raising livestock and also chickens and ducks. *How did you know about Banteay Prieb? I asked one NGO in my village where I could study. That NGO introduced me to Banteay Prieb. Fortunately, Fr. Oh Chang, who was working in Banteay Prieb at that time, found me along the road and helped me to study in Banteay Prieb. In 2009, I started studying in Banteay Prieb. *What are some good things about Banteay Prieb? Some good things about Banteay Prieb are that there are houses within the center for the students and that it provides good vocational training for people with disabilities. Also, we can develop our self-esteem and independence by going to market, cooking, and cleaning our houses by ourselves. I didn’t know how to cook before I entered Banteay Prieb. I learned how to cook and take care of myself while I stayed in the center. In addition, I made lots of friends.
*What do you do now? I’m managing a mechanics workshop and barber shop at home. When I first opened the shops, there were not many customers because they didn’t know about the shops. So I did small things like repairing tires. Later, I borrowed some money from the outreach team and bought new materials for mechanics repairing and also extended the shop. Now there are many customers coming to my shop. And the barber shop is running really well. Especially during holidays, I don’t even have time to have meals. It’s not easy to manage two shops at the same time so I asked for help from my brother. I taught him some mechanics skills. *What are your hopes for the future? I want to extend the shop and hope to have an assistant who can help me with the work. *Do you have any advice for students of Banteay Prieb? I want them to know the meaning and importance of studying in Banteay Prieb. Some students seem that they don’t fully understand this. I hope they can realize how valuable it is to be able to study in Banteay Prieb. Also, some people may think that one year in Banteay Prieb is too short. But for me, I could learn a lot during one year. *Do you have anything to add? I come to participate in the homecoming day every year. I’m very happy to meet old teachers and friends who I have been missing so much. I have two friends who studied in Banteay Prieb with me and they live in my neighborhood. Today, I came here with them. I hope the tradition of having the homecoming day continues for a long time.
Behind story
Homecoming Talk; After Homecoming, story of alumni many graduadtes and they gave me very helpful and sincere advice based on their own experience. Their presence itself encourages me a lot.
From the left; Phea(Agriculture), Thuen(Mechanics), Lung Taoi(Sewing), Somin(Volunteer), Chei tree(Electronics), Chan Ton(Phone repairing), Jun Rai(Shoe making)
*What did you like about Homecoming day? Chey Tree: I really liked to talk with graduates who have the same disabilities as me. It was very encouraging for me to see them live and work confidently in the society. Chan Ton: The graduates shared their difficulties of opening workshops and gave us advice so that we can avoide making the same mistake as they did. It was really helpful for all of us. *Which program did you like the most? All: Group discussion! Lung Taoi: I remember when we had discussion in groups. We could have chance to meet and talk with graduates who studied in sewing class which I’m studying now and sewing teachers. I felt like we are one family. *Do you think the homecoming day gave good influence to students in Banteay Prieb? All: It gave us very good influence! Lung Taoi: It’s really difficult to visit graduates to listen to their advice because I’m disabled. During the homecoming day, I could meet
*Was the homecoming day helpful for your current studies? Pei: Before I entered Banteay Prieb, I wasn’t interested in studying and didn’t even know how to do it. After entering Banteay Prieb and starting to study, I’m now very interested in what I’m learning. After the homecoming day, I thought that I need to study harder. Thuen: I’ve gained more passion for studying. Also, I started to help my friends in the same class more. Chan Ton: I’ve gained confident that I can actually do everything. Lung Taoi: Now I have hope for the future and love to learn sewing skills. After the homecoming day, students started to study harder so teachers became very busy! *Now you have less than 1 month until graduate, what are your hopes after graduate from Banteay Prieb? Thuen: I want to open mechanics shop and barber shop as well! Phea: I want to raise pigs, chickens, and vegetables. vegetables. Lung Taoi: After graduate from Banteay Prieb, I will try my best to open sewing workshop by myself first. (Outreach team will visit each graduates’ houses and support if they need). I’ve learned basic agricultural skills as well so I think I can raise livestock also. I want to keep in touch with Banteay Prieb and I feel very reliable because Banteay Prieb will always look after us and support us.
Photo Essay
News
July 3rd July, we went to listen to promulgation of 5 years of government for people with disabilities in Cambodia All of Banteay Prieb students, teachers, staff members and volunteers attended the ceremony to listen to the Cambodian government’s promulgation of 5 years plan for people with disabilities. The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, gave a speech about their strategy. The hall, which was in Koh Pich, was filled with over 3,000 people from various NGOs working for people with disabilities. Hun Sen spoke about the government’s multi-year plan in-line with the international strategy for people with disabilities. After listening to the speech, we all went for a picnic in a beautiful temple called Wat Phnom.
18th July, annual picnic in Kampong Saom We went to beautiful beach in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) which is well known as Cambodia’s favorite vacation spot. We swam in the cool waters and had delicious seafood. For most of the students, it was their first time to experience the sea. They were overwhelmed with joy and the beauty of the ocean. The purpose of outing is to have a break from hard studying, teaching and refreshing ourselves with beautiful nature so that we can regain our togetherness.
August August, students planted trees Banteay Prieb students went to a nearby temple to plant trees with the help of the JSC ecology team. This event was held two times for those who wanted join the event. Beginning with 10 students, 90 students eventually participated in the planting event. Students made the ground even and planted the seedlings carefully. This event is for giving chance to students to contribute to their own nature and help them to love nature around them. As the students planted life on desolated ground, we hope that strength of life will also grow in each of the student’s heart.
News
September Cambodian Thanksgiving day, Phuchum Ben During the 19th to the 26th of September, students went back home to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with their family. On the weekend before they went back home, they went to the pagoda near Banteay Prieb to pray for a fruitful holiday. Phuchum ben is religiously and culturally important in Cambodia. During this holiday, all of family members gather at their parents’ house and wish their good health and happiness. And they go to pagoda at least 5 times to pray and serve monks.
October 1st October, new students entered Banteay Prieb to study literacy and numeracy 32 students of batch 28(Year 2015) entered the center in advance to study 3 month of intensive literacy and numeracy course. This course is for those who can’t read and write Khmer(Cambodian language). This course puts foundations of knowledge so they can follow and understand the center’s vocational training course well.
[Product of this month]
Love’s embrace Size: 22cm New collection of wood sculptures covered with natural lacquer and sand in Banteay Prieb workshop
Special Thanks to...
Banpo Catholic Church, Korea Holy Korean Martyrs Catholic Church Beong Tumpun Church, Phnom Penh
House of St. John, Korea
Thomas Jefferson Banteay Prieb Charity
Uncle Joe
Banteay Prieb, founded by the Jesuit Service Cambodia, aims to help those victimized by war, land mines, polio and accidents achieve independence and find dignity in themselves through vocational training and psychological support.
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