Letter from Banteay Prieb
How can we best share hope and love with physically challenged people? Banteay Prieb is a beautiful place that always looks for answers to this question, ready to help Cambodians in need with love and compassion. Banteay Prieb gave me an invaluable experience. The people here taught me how to form good relationships with others, the sadness that disability brings, and what we could do to help. I work for Craft Peace CafĂŠ, a shop that sells products made by artisans of Banteay Prieb. This shop means much more than just a workplace to me. On a large scale, I believe that I am contributing to making
Letter from BP BP Focus BP Talk Photo Diary BP News
Cambodia a better country. I also feel a deep personal link with the center because it gave me an opportunity to empathize with my father. He is also a physically challenged person who lost a leg many years ago. Before working here, I could not understand his sadness and disappointment well. Now I feel sorry that I couldn’t, and I try my best to be a good daughter who always satisfies and encourages him. At first, the work here was quite challenging because I did not have much experience. Every time I faced an obstacle, however, fathers, brothers, and sisters of Banteay Prieb supported me with warm advice. Thanks to them, I grew much more capable as the manager of the shop. I am very satisfied and proud of my work. All our staff members work diligently and share very special teamwork. While we enjoy our work, we also keep in mind that we must strive to help physically challenged Cambodians live better lives. Best Regards,
Sophy Moeurn
Manager of Craft PEACE Cafe
Vol.14 BP Focus
Homecoming Day Banteay Prieb held its fifth Homecoming Day on August 30. Organized and hosted by the outreach team every year, this special event offers a forum for our students and alumni members to interact in an intimate and informative environment. We had 215 participants this year: 113 current students, 72 graduates, and 30 staff members and teachers. Mr. Men Yuth, the coordinator of the outreach team, opened the day with a warm welcoming speech. The participants eased nervousness and exchanged greetings through breakfast and the recreational session led by Ms. Pheary and Mr. Sony afterward. Feeling more relaxed now, they divided themselves by subjects (agriculture, mechanics, sculpture/shoemaking, sewing, and mechanics) and proceeded to group conference. Throughout the morning, current and former Banteay Prieb students passionately exchanged opinions on various topics regarding life in and after Banteay Prieb. In the afternoon, everybody gathered around the main stage once again to share the summary of the morning discussion with the rest of the participants. Furthermore, five alumni members were awarded for their outstanding achievement after graduation. The day’s schedule was completed by the closing speech of Mr. Top Tith, the co-director of Banteay Prieb. The Homecoming day is improving year after year, providing an opportunity for the alumni members to reinforce their connection with Banteay Prieb and the chance for current students to find answers to their questions about the future. We would like to thank the outreach team for another successful Homecoming Day, and We hope this event remains a significant tradition of Banteay Prieb for a long time, continuing to benefit its students and community members.
Vol.14 BP Focus
▼ Delightful lunch time ~ ▼▼ What’s on the board? ▼▼▼ Reunion of the mechanics teacher and his former students
Students attentively listening ▲ to the opening speech Sewing class in group conference ▲▲ I wonder what’s so funny! ▲▲▲
Vol.14 BP Talk
Dear Banteay Prieb Community By. Josepha Smith
+ This is the continuation of Josepha Smith’s article, “Dear Banteay Prieb Community,” whose first half was covered in the previous volume. What inspiring stories will she share with us this time? Let’s find out!
Students come to Banteay Prieb through
various ways. Some find out from friends, some are referred by other organization, and for some it’s a little more peculiar.Yin Vutha had the most remarkable story about how he came to attend Banteay Prieb. In more than one way, he’s had a very interesting life!
Yin Vutha greeted us with a brilliant smile and said, “hello, how are you doing?!” in English! He told me that language was a very enjoyable subject for him at school and that one day he would like to continue his studies in English. Vutha has lived a varied life. “I found out about Banteay Prieb when I was acting in a film. I’m not an actor,” he adds, smiling “well just from time to time.” Vutha is 25 years old and he has come from Kompong Cham to study mechanics. “Before Banteay Prieb, I didn’t take much seriously,” he says. “I liked hanging out with friends and listening to music, I didn’t try hard, now I have a dream to open a shop to repair bikes. I’m very excited about that.” And his thoughts on Banteay Prieb? “I’m
so grateful for it. It’s so well organised, from the food distribution, to the teachers and how they teach, everything is organised for care. Before I came here, sometimes when people called my name, their language was not polite. They used degrading words, like for children or animals but here, there is respect in how people talk to each other to how we treat each other. I feel gratitude for this and it makes me to respond to do what is necessary and to study well.” When asked if life has changed since coming to Banteay Prieb? “Many things have changed. Many many things. I can cook,” he says with surprise! “I have friends and we are all happy, especially
Vol.14 BP Talk
among ourselves. We don’t mind each other’s disabilities!” Vutha bursts with enthusiasm when he speaks about his ambition for the future. I want to own my own bicycle repair shop. I’d like to work hard to make it prosper, then I’d like to have a happy family and to create a happy life together.” Vutha shares his wish for Banteay Prieb also, “Banteay Prieb has a way of doing things, I hope this continues to grow and strengthen in the future.” Vutha creates such joy in the room, we have no doubt he will bring joy to his home and his work. and to have a moto wash service and to sell some soft drinks too.”
Ambition and apprehension for the future were things we discussed with each student. Some carried more of one than another, but all seemed to experience a little of both at some stage through their journey at Banteay Prieb. Getting to see life after Banteay Prieb was really important so I accompanied the outreach team on their visits to past students and I got to see for myself the impact of Banteay Prieb in real practical life.
Ban Sokna was the first man we visited. He is a happy man. His tidy shop in Khandal province hosts a number of machines ready for repair. The Jesuit Service Cambodia sign, proudly displayed by the roadside shows the many services on offer, “Moto's are most of my work,” he says, “but my barbershop is also very busy. I can fit everything in so I want to expand soon
Sokna is 28 years old. He started his business just 2 years ago after completing his studies in mechanics at Banteay Prieb. When he was six years old, Sokna's legs were badly damaged by a landmine, “I had been out helping my father to prepare the garden when we triggered the mine,” he remembers. Sokna’s father was killed in the explosion. “At the time I found out about Banteay Prieb I had already graduated school and was working as a security guard in Phnom Penh. I wanted to learn a trade but I did not have enough money to continue to study. I knew there was no way to grow in the job I had so I was happy to leave home for Banteay Prieb. When I arrived the people were so welcoming and fair, I knew I’d made a good decision.” Sokna remembers very specifically his
Vol.14 BP Talk
favourite day at Banteay Prieb. “It was Dec 3rd International day for the disabled. I found the workshops very useful and informative. Being at Banteay Prieb makes you realise all the things you can do. Because I had been through high school and some of the others had not. I was able to help the students with their literacy work, I liked those days very much,” he said. Sokna's friends and family are happy for him. “They're proud of me and they all helped me to get the shop ready. Because I live close to Banteay Prieb, I could go home at the weekends in the months before I left finished the course, so I started to build the structure for my workshop so it was nearly ready when I graduated and they helped me to do that. The outreach team also supported me with a sign for my shop, advice and knowledge when I opened.” “I missed Banteay Prieb very much when I left but I was excited to get to work. I keep the shop tidy because of what I learned at Banteay Prieb. “Sokna is not kidding. As he shows us around his workshop, everything is neat and clean. He also shows us inside the home he shares with his his mother,his sister and his new wife. It’s immaculate. “I learned that living in community we all have to live peacefully together and keeping things tidy is part of that. I decided to bring that peace and tidiness into my home and my family is happy to go along with that. I keep the lessons I learned at Banteay Prieb so it makes home a very nice place to be.”
When I ask how he feels about himself and his future now, Sokna says, “I just got married one month ago, I’m happy. I feel warm inside. I responsible for my partner and that feels good. The outreach team continue to support and encourage me through their visits and I’d like to say thanks to Banteay Prieb.” “I’d also like to see them light up the gate and the sign at the road for Banteay Prieb so you can see the logo clearly. Because it’s such a great place, everybody should know where it is.”
Vol.14 Photo Diary
The autumn ripens. The sky is so high and blue that it might burst, And the autumn dyes every little corner of the world its golden yellow. The days of commitment and affection Pile up layer upon layer to reach the autumn, to ripen. It is time. The sweat and labor of the past are now colored in bright glow, So it is time to harvest in excitement, with a gust of laughter. In irresistible smiles, In uncontrollable motions of dancing, In gestures of elation at the autumn reaping. <The reaping day of Banteay Prieb> Photo by. Jong Jin Lim
Vol.14 BP News
1. Recruiting new students We began recruiting new students for the 2014 school year. The outreach team is visiting different villages on a daily basis in order to meet with our future family members. 37 new students are already living in Banteay Prieb, taking the literacy class prior to starting their official vocational training courses. 2. Student and staff picnic On the 19th of August, all students went on a picnic to the beach in Sihanoukville. Because most of them had never seen the ocean before, the trip was an unforgettable experience to them and also to the others who shared their excitement. On September 24th, all members of the production staff had an opportunity to relax at a nearby valley as well. 3. Education on establishing small business We held our first 7-week course on establishing small business for students graduating in the upcoming December. Please wish good luck to those who are preparing to take their first step into the world. 4. Pchum Ben holiday We had eleven days of school break from the 28th of September to the 8th of October to celebrate the Pchum Ben holiday. Pchum Ben is Cambodiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national holiday that honors the deceased. 5. Female staff members to Korea During Pchum Ben, three female staff members of Banteay Prieb took a study trip to Korea. They visited several Korean social welfare agencies and participated in an event held in Seoul Citizen Hall.
Vol.14 BP News
6. New promotional video Last August, we created a brief video introducing Banteay Prieb with the help of volunteers from Korea National University of Arts. Please check it out by searching “Introducing Banteay Prieb” on Youtube or following this link: http://youtu.be/xK9VB6CGkZM.
7. <Banteay Prieb Meets Angkor Wat> The exhibition <Banteay Prieb Meets Angkor Wat> is being held in Seoul Citizen Hall and in Craft Peace Café simultaneously. We exhibit drawings and patterns produced as a result of the textile production team’s “Design Trip” to Angkor Wat. During the opening event held in Seoul on October 3rd, Sophea, the leader of the textile production, shared stories of her life and work as well. The exhibition continues until the 27th of October in the Fair Trade Café Jigu Maeul in Seoul Citizen Hall and until November 3rd in Craft Peace Café. 8. Carbon Offsetting Program Last July 31, the Jesuits in Cambodia approved the trial of a carbon offsetting program for their own flights abroad. The idea is that the Banteay Prieb nursery will plant the necessary trees around Cambodia to offset the carbon dioxide that each Jesuit generates by taking a flight to another country. The Jesuit is then charged with the cost of planting and maintaining the growth of their trees. Some of our guests have already participated in this program.
Small Nativity with Cottage Size: 24c*15c*19c Color: Cottage is brown, figures are white. Price: 75$ Caption: This inspiring crib has a cute Cambodian style.The angels and the wise kings are wearing Khmer outfits. Joseph and Mary are kneeling in the traditional Cambodian way. The Cottage can be taken to pieces so it is easy to carry as a flat box
Special Thanks to... Koica International Coopertaion Agency
Work Together Foundation
(www.koica.go.kr)
(www.hamkke.org)
One Body One Spirit Movement
Saint Ignatius’ College -Reverview
(www.obos.or.kr)
Joseph Yao, SJ
아름다운생명사랑
Yoon Juneyoung
The Friends of Battambang
Kim Yun Jung
Hong Kong Friends
Janette Goh
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.
Support us
for more INFORMATION
Bank : ACLEDA Bank Plc / Address : #61, Preah Monvong Blvd,
www.banteayprieb.org www.craftpeacecafe.com facebook.com/banteayprieb facebook.com/craftpeacecafe www.youtube.com/user/banteayprieb Email. banteayprieb@gmail.com
Sangkat Srah Chork, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia / Detail : +855 23994444/15999233, inquiry@acledabank.com.kh / Account : Saving / SWIFT CODE : ACLBKHPP / CHIPS UID : 415637 / Name : Jesuit Service-Cambodia(Community) /Account NO. : 0001-20-296380-2-99
Ordering and buying our products http://issuu.com/banteayprieb/docs/production_cat alog Email. banteayprieb.production@gmail.com
Phone. +855 12617721 Post Adress P.O BOX 880, Phnom Penh, Cambodia