Enjoying My New Jouney in Banteay Prieb Hyunbai Han, SJ (Outreach Team)
It has been one month since I came to Banteay Prieb. Before I came here, I studied Khmer, the official language of Cambodia for three months in Phnom Penh. It was very good time for me to learn the basics of the new language and Cambodian culture. Yet, three month is apparently not long enough to become fluent in a new language and adapting to a new culture. Currently I can speak a little Khmer and know how to say some common phrases such as, ‘Hello, how are you?’, ‘Thank you’, ‘Sorry’, and so on. In other words, I cannot say more than basic words, phrases and expressions in Khmer and feel as though I speak like a little child. Obviously I am also having a difficult time to understand people speaking to me in Khmer. So after this three month learning period when I was assigned to Banteay Prieb, my biggest concern and fear were the language barrier. I was worried and did not know how I would communicate and build a relationship with people in Banteay Prieb, especially with the students with disabilities. However, my fear and worry have disappeared after I moved to Banteay Prieb. People at Banteay Prieb are very generous and have warm hearts. I feel as though they understand me better than I understand them. They have been always smiling and welcoming me even though I often made mistakes while speaking Khmer to them. Furthermore, I can feel that the students have been actually helping me to open my heart and also to make me feel secure. Most of the time, I have hardly understood what people said to me in Khmer, especially when the students asked me questions. Thus sometimes I mistakenly gave the students incoherent answers to their questions. However the students have always been encouraging me and made me feel good whenever I tried to speak in Khmer. They once said to me, ‘ Brother, you studied Khmer only for three months but you speak very well. After you live here with us for two years, you will be able to speak fluently. So don’t worry.’ I was very grateful to have heard this. These people already knew what I was worried about and they just accepted me for who I am. As mentioned above, I have been here in Banteay Prieb only for a month. Yet, I think I have already received a big gift from the people in Banteay Prieb even before I feel as though I gave them something. I would like to thank the students, teachers, and staff members for welcoming me and accepting me as their friend. So far, I have been really enjoying my new journey in Banteay Prieb.
Vo Banteay P
+ This is the first half of the stories from Josepha Smith, who collected news in Banteay Prieb for past 3 months from March to May, 2013. The rest of the exciting stories will be published on the next news release.
In March 2013 I left my snowy home in Ireland for a volunteer placement at Banteay Prieb. My task was to interview students past and present and to write their stories down. Each person brought a new world into the room. Each story included ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, loves and fears. They’re the human stories that reflect the humanity of all of us, myself included. On the first day, the translator turned the tables and asked me the questions I was to put to the students. How do you enjoy spending your spare time? What is the nature of your disability? How do you feel about Banteay Prieb? How will you look back on your time here? I can tell you that being asked to answer my own questions was a very good introduction to the project. I have broken many bones in my body, but I do not have a physical disability. My wounds, like many, are on the inside. They are incomparable with the challenges faced by the beautiful people I interviewed, but I had to wonder if I carry my disabilities with the same dignity that these students displayed. They have the courage to leave behind all that is familiar to them, to bring with them their imperfections and embrace change to begin totally new life. I was humbled by their courage. My work at Banteay Prieb was so rewarding and the community of staff and students were so welcoming that I found it very hard to leave. The time I spent working at Banteay Prieb was renewing. It brought back to me all the reasons that I love to tell stories in the first place. Sam Levenson, the german poet says, “people even more than things need to be renewed, restored, revived, reclaimed and redeemed.“ I love these stories especially, because the bring back me the essence of all of the things we need to remember exist in the world and in ourselves, that is, courage, humour, strength, dignity and hope. I hope you find some of those renewing things here in the stories of the students of Banteay Prieb. It has been my pleasure to bring them to you:
ol. 12 rieb Ret Sarom is the youngest member of the Banteay Prieb school. She is unique also in that she is the only girl in the electronics class. "At first I was really nervous" she says, "but the class are so supportive and so encouraging that soon I stopped being nervous." Sarom was born without fingers on her right hand. "My parents did many things for me at home so coming to Banteay Prieb has changed life completely,"she says. "At first I was really really lonely and I did not like it at all. I was the youngest here and I had few friends because I felt I must respect the others older than me." Four months on, Sarom says she cried when she said goodbye to her classmates to return home for the Khmer new year holiday, they would all miss each other so much. When asked what the future holds, Sarom smiles and says, “I would like to open a small workshop - but I'd also like to save so I can continue to study. When I was younger I wanted to be a translator and I studied until grade 9, so I would also like to study more if I can find the money for that.” When I ask what Sarom thinks about Banteay Prieb, she tells us that she doesn’t know how to express how she feels in words, It has helped so so much I don’t know how to say it. I went from not knowing anything to becoming responsible for myself and for others too. That's a biggest change. It’s helped my confidence, because I’m young and quite able to do things, the others rely on me to help with somethings and I like that very much."
Being away from home can be very hard for students and many of the people I spoke to said that family was a strong motivation for their will to succeed with their work. Non Sareth expressed this desire when we met. Sareth spends a lot of time at the library in Banteay Prieb. “I love to borrow books,” she says, “animal stories and fables are my favourite.” Sareth is from Kompong Chnang and has come to Banteay Prieb to study sewing. “I like to do embroidery on pillow cases in my spare time,” she tells us. In 2011 when out climbing a mango tree, Sareth had a fall which damaged her back. “I lost power in my legs and had to go into a wheelchair. After the accident I spent one year having therapy in hospital and then one year at home recovering. I had a lot of time to think and it was very stressful, she remembers. I felt a great deal of hopelessness at that time and even despair. I found the experience of living at Banteay Prieb took that stress away because people here are just like me. I’m so happy at Banteay Prieb, the people are so helpful and encouraging. I’m just really happy to be here. I have a skill so I can depend on myself and not on my parents or anyone,” she says assuringly. “I do miss my parents, but I’m happy to be making new friends and to be learning how to sew. I try to remember every single thing the teacher teaches us because I want to learn everything I can, but also, I just really enjoy it.” When asked about the future, Sareth says, “My big dream is to take care of my parents and to make them happy and I’d like to send blessings to Banteay Prieb for their work and for the opportunity to be here and to learn a new skill. If it wasn’t for Banteay Prieb, I don’t know where I would be today. It changed my life completely.” stories will be continued on next issues:-)
Photo & Essay by, Jongjin Lim
Hain, a man of age twenty-five, Withdraws a smile, seeking his classmates infront of him. Young men were divided into groups learning the steps of motorcycle reconditioning. Hain waits for his turn, alleviating pressure by seeing his fellow mates make mistakes due to their dearthy skills. Observing, over the shoulder’s of others,Hain hides his desire, his want of the perfect accomplishment without any mistakes. Such desire will eventually lead to an outstanding ability and strength. The days of appreciating those with physical disabilities are expanding, in contrast when they were treated with discrimination and subjugation earlier.
Hair-Cut and Make-Up classes
We started hair-cut and make-up classes this year as additional class for weekend. The hair-cut class has started since April 21st, and there are 17 male students right now. The make-up class has started since May 5th, and currently there are 24 female students. Both classes run all day, every Sunday. For the students who complete these classes, haircut or make-up equipment will be provided accordingly.
Khmer New Year April, All students and staff spent Khmer New Year in their hometown. It was the first big holiday after they entered the school in January. All the students came back to school safely with big and warm smiles on their face. It seems as though they all had a great time with their families during the holiday.
Psychology Counseling
With the support from Cambodia Mekong Project team who aims to treat the traumatized victims suffering from their traumatic experiences, all the students in Banteay Prieb received one-to-one mental health assessment. According to the result of each assessment, the students, those in need have been receiving further psychological treatments. This supporting project team also had operated the psychology class to house the teachers last time and operated same class to school teacher recently.
The 3 Month Abroad Training for 2 Teachers Chrek Vutha, electronic teacher and Cheang Seanghak, student care teacher safely returned back from the 3 month abroad training in Korea. They had training at the ‘Notre Dame Rehabilitation Center’ in Incheon Province, for physically and mentally challenged people. Through the training, two teachers could learn and experience a lot about the social welfare in Korea and especially the program for mental disabilities. Their expanded sight and experiences will be shared with people in Banteay Prieb, and it will eventually gain professionalism to our program.
3 Year Plan
We are in the progress of planning for the next 3 years, from 2014 to 2016. In June, we had the second overall meeting followed by the first one in March. The teachers and staff prepared their own needs assessment and plan in advance of the meeting in order to share the information with others. OBOS, one of our cooperative NGO, also participated in the meeting. Please support and cheer for our new future plan
<Wellang trei> Event at Craft PEACE Cafe
On May 31st, a movie screening event was held in Craft PEACE Café. ‘Wellangtrei’ is an independent documentary movie about Bunong tribe and Mondulkiri province, filmed by a Korean director, Taeil KIM. After screening, there was a small discussion about life of Bunong and Mondulkiri with Amy, who works in Mondulkiri with WWF-Cambodia. It was a great opportunity to find our potential as a cultural space. There were more than 30 people gathered together and we all enjoyed and appreciated the event very much.
Mary Hugging Child Jesus This inspiring sculpture shows Jesus and his Mother in an intimate heart-to-heart relationship as their foreheads are so close to one another.
Color : White Size : 20 cm Price : 30 $ (7cm in stone : 10$)
One Body One Spirit Movement (www.obos.or.kr)
Korea International Cooperation Agency
Work Together Foundation (www.hamkke.org)
Soekyo-dong Catholic Parish
(www.koica.go.kr)
Saint Ignatius’College -Riverview
Notre Dame Rehabilitation Center
Sisters of the Annuciation
Lee Hea Ji
Kim Yun Jung
Seong-Anh Parish in Ulsan
Hong Kong Friends
Banteay Preib Victims of landmines, war, polio, and other accidents have trouble supporting themselves in an already impoverished nation. JSC created the center in order to help teach watys to hopefully secure a future for its students. The symbol depicts a flying dove holding a branch in its break. the Khmer inscribed in its wings translated to “Everything for Peace”
How to Support Us * * * ******************************************************************* * * * If you are interested in financially supporting our work here in Cambodia, please check this payment details. Bank
ACLEDA Bank Plc.
Address # 61, Preah Monivong Blvd., Sangkat Srah Chork, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 999 233, inquiry@acledabank.com.kh Detail 855)23-994 444/ 15Account Saving SWIFT CODE ACLBKHPP Name Jesuit Service-Cambodia(Community)
CHIPS UID 415637
Account No 0001-20-296380-2-9
You can also contribute to our work purchasing products from our Production Centre at Banteay Prieb, Please Check our product at this website : (http://bit.ly/haBPTG)