JOURNEY of
Humanitarian Affairs
PHNOM PENH Cambodia 2014
2 / The Journey of Love
Connecting People with Communities in Need
Cambodia 2014 / 3
4 / The Journey of Love
INTRODUCTION
I
magine a country teaming with history, rich in culture, surrounded by beauty and then
see it all crumble down because of a horrific tragedy.
I would return to Cambodia to see the smiles of these wonderful children. I would do it in a heartbeat for the sake of a smile on the face of a child. Samantha Pacchiarotta H.A. Youth Ambassador
Imagine a race of people: bright, warm and full of potential, falling into hardships and suffering at the hands of their own.
This is Cambodia. Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia with one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Another third lives on less than USD 2.00 a day. Today, Cambodia is somewhat politically stable, but many people still lack basic necessities for everyday life. Agriculture is Cambodia’s largest industry, but it too suffers from a lack of infrastructure. The cycle of poverty, ill health and high health care expenditure cripples poor Cambodian families economically. In fact, the need for help in Cambodia can clearly be seen by the Cambodia 2014 / 5
high concentration of NGOs in a
However, the years of torment and
relatively small sized country. In
suffering had left angry scars on the
terms of education, less than 50
fate of this nation, wounds that would
percent of students complete primary
take years to heal for present and
school in this country. The death of
future generations.
working infrastructure and the poor
If ever a country deserves a
economic situation only
serve
highlight
to the
growing problems. Although
the
Kingdom
of
Cambodia
is
rich
in
natural
resources, decades of war and internal conflict have left it one of the world’s poorest countries. The
fate
of
Cambodia stunned
helping hand it is Cambodia. Blighted by their past, it is moving on the road to
recovery
we
hope
contribute growth. year of
across
to to
its
Every hundreds
international
volunteers our
and
join projects
Cambodia,
making a real and lasting
difference
the world when the radical communist
to the lives of the country’s most
Khmer Rouge, under their leader Pol
disadvantaged people.
Pot, seized power in 1975 after years of guerrilla warfare. More than two million people died from starvation, torture and execution, until the Khmer Rouge was finally ousted in 1979. 6 / The Journey of Love
This is Cambodia.
TOUCHING HEARTS
W
ould you like to spend a week exploring South East Asia all
the while working for a worthy cause? Our volunteers often find it difficult to highlight just one single thing they enjoy from their experience. But they all return home with the memory of a child’s smiling face, having made a vast difference. And for some, this proves to be a life changing moment in their lives. Cambodia 2014 / 7
8 / The Journey of Love
SUNRISE CHILDREN’S VILLAGE
F
or our volunteers to work with orphaned and deprived children of
Cambodia, we had to look no further than our
the
organisation
Chairman,
Geraldine’s
story
Ms.
set
up
Geraldine
itself
by Cox.
manages
to
intrigue since she gave up a privileged and
comfortable
monumental
life
mission
to of
begin creating
the a
haven for disadvantaged, disabled and orphaned
children
in
Cambodia,
with the setting up of the Australia Cambodia Foundation and co-founding the Sunrise Children’s Village. From an initial group of 24 children in one location, Sunrise has now expanded into 3 centres across Cambodia housing over 400 children. Cambodia 2014 / 9
One hundred of our international
is overflowing in Cambodia with many
volunteers journeyed to the Sunrise
of the children talented in music and
Village in the outskirts of Phnom
dance. And if you feel the urge to do
Penh, which is like a green sanctuary
more, Sunrise is constantly trying to
away from the bustle of the city.
better their home and you could lend
Vast lawns stretch across the land,
your support through construction
creating
work such as placing thatched roofs
apretty
picture
where
children run about freely in their
atop gazebos.
adopted
home.
On
entering
the grounds they were met with bright faces who held on to their hands
and
took
them
around.
Friendships are easily made and never forgotten. In
Sunrise,
you
have
the
These kids here are the brightest, most outgoing and friendliest I’ve ever met, amazing considering their situation exclaimed Pearson, a volunteer.
of a young age, or teach older
beaming kids eager to learn and
kids or spend quality time with
play, will bring a smile to your face.
those who just need a mentor to
More importantly, the love and care
guide them. Activities that you can
you bestow on them with resonate
experience
with them as an everlasting message
and
learning about traditional musical instruments, since the culture of arts
10 / The Journey of Love
of hope and promise.
seeing
Every
playing
just
opportunity to play with children
include
day
the
SCIENCE OF LIFE STUDIES
T
he fast growing population and
free
lack of means to educate means
and
comprehensive boarding
training
programs
on
a lot of young Cambodians grow up
life-skills education for disadvantaged
unschooled and illiterate. To meet
and
this need, our local partner, the
communities in Cambodia.
Science of Life Studies (SOLS) which
More than 200 of our volunteers
is headquartered in Malaysia and spread across Asia and Africa, attempts to serve youths who are unable to acquire a proper school education or are unable to pursue higher education due to financial difficulties and constraints. We by
organizations these at
social
SOLS
to to
which
engaged
in
youths
varied
expose the
tasks
poor
and
English in classrooms. Some of them offered to construct and paint tables that could be used in the schoolrooms. Besides contributing they also spend
our
methods
individuals
and
are
combatting
evils.
Volunteering
means
from
responsibilities in addition to teaching
in these ways,
wish
volunteers
at-risk
you
can
be
a part of the drive that offers Cambodia 2014 / 11
some quality time with the youth here and participated in cultural sharing activities. As a volunteer, you can spend many a fun evening after
learning
exchanging
and
teaching
by
norms
and
cultural
POUR UN SOURIRE D’ENFANT
I
f you are curious to attain some knowledge
on
how
non-profits
tackle lack of education and inadequate
phrases, and interchanging and playing
employment opportunities that leave
traditional games such as the native
young Cambodians disqualified and
Bai Dop Muy. The talented young
vulnerable, you will get a chance to work and observe the activities of another of our partner, the Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE), a French nonprofit organisation, whose mission is to meet basic needs and provide vocational training to mistreated, destitute and uneducated children.
Cambodians are always eager to show
their
their
new
talents friends
and in
instruct
the
grace
and movement of Khmer dance. You will get to taste local Khmer food, a treat to those who have never experienced
this
cuisine
before.
You will immerse yourself in the daily life of a Khmer and experience the true essence of Cambodian culture while nurturing these youths. 12 / The Journey of Love
PSE makes up for the squalor and small spaces that such children may have been born in by opening to them large grounds for their schooling, training and recreational activities. About 250 of our volunteers were thrilled to experience a vast range of activities to do at PSE. Those who were inclined to work with young children painted with them and taught them; others who showed some culinary skills - cooked a nutritious meal for over 250 children.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
This is Cambodia.
Cambodia 2014 / 13
S
with
aqu
with
exp
but
exp
P so
nor
volu
to p
and
plea
rest
at t In
how
resi
live
T
she skil
you
feed
14 / The Journey of Love
Some valued the opportunity to interact
h differently abled children, participated in
uatic therapy and simply read or played games
h them. Those who were undergoing this
perience for the first time were initially nervous
t in time formed a bond with these children who
pressed so much love through their gestures.
PSE boasts of countless sport facilities especially that their children do not feel deprived of
rmal and everyday amusements. Here, our
unteers teamed up with the residents of PSE
play football, volleyball or learn boxing, fencing
d skateboarding skills. Volunteers also took
asure in dining at Lotus Blanc, PSE’s trademark
taurant run by students who have been training
the organisation’s vocational training centre. this manner volunteers are able to see
w the organisation provides a living to its
idents, carving out a new pathway for them to
e enhanced lives.
Their noble mission, in essence, is not just to
elter these children but to provide them with life
lls, much like the proverb: Give a man a fish and
u feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you
d him for a lifetime.
Cambodia 2014 / 15
16 / The Journey of Love
OUR MISSION
The mission of Humanitarian Affairs is to empower young
people and facilitate those youth who are passionate about positive social change. The organisation was established with a vision to set an action based example for young people interested in making a difference to those less fortunate than themselves. It aims to translate their intention and ideas into action, and provide comprehensive exposure for the development of well-rounded future leaders. Humanitarian Affairs seeks to create a drive and sense of purpose in young leaders by equipping them with the rights skills and tools to spark a generation of dynamic individuals paving the way for the larger social good.
This is Cambodia.
Cambodia 2014 / 17
18 / The Journey of Love
CARING FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT
C
ambodia
also
places
importance
on a safe and clean environment
and for the environmentalists in you, it offers a chance to travel into the countryside
and
Our
international
200
mountainous
areas.
volunteers
had the chance to visit Oudong in the northwestern part of Cambodia, where they could enjoy the beauty of nature while constructively doing something to preserve it. Their adventurous spirit delighted in hiking up the Phnom Udong Mountain while each one’s humanitarian nature was gratified in spreading awareness through the making of environmentally friendly slogans using wooden planks. Cambodia 2014 / 19
T
hey also undertook nature related activities, for instance, tree planting at Mloumeun and
Thorm Tray villages. Others assisted in the painting of walls and fences of Vaing Chas High School, and collecting
rubbish
Volunteers
also
from
ventured
the over
mountainside. to
the
nearby
Village known for its silver arts and crafts. They were acquainted with an example of sustainable culture and livelihood in Cambodia and at the same time had
the opportunity to mingle with locals at
a personal level.
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THE EXPERIENCE
I
f you would like to teach English or other subjects, take care of differently abled
children, cook for little kids, or even spent some quality time with them as a brother or sister they never had, all the while experiencing a new colorful culture, then Cambodia is the place for you. Here, rides,
you
the
will
local
experience
form
of
Reur’mok
transportation
in Cambodia, when travelling to see local historical places, visiting quaint markets, eating native Khmer food and walking through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Cambodia is gradually emerging from a turbulent past, and there is a very real sense that now is the time, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a better future its people. Participating in one of Humanitarian Affairs’
Cambodia
volunteer
projects
is
the perfect way to play your part. Cambodia 2014 / 23
Connecting People with Communities in Need
Writer : Anam Hamid Layout : Pixelkeet速