CAMBODIA ISSUE 2018
TESTIFY
By Kate Ryan 1
www.theargus.net.au
ABOUT The Argus is a student-run, non-profit, visual journalism magazine dedicated to showcasing students’ investigations and unique perspective of local and international issues. DECLARTION The work is subject to copyright. All rights reserved. no part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the authors.
Cambodia In-Field Leaders 2018: Dr Heather Faulkner, senior lecturer, QCA, Griffith University Adjunct Professor John Rodsted Dr Kelly McIlvenny, sessional academic, QCA, Griffith University Published in Australia 2019
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CAMBODIA INTRODUCTION Earlier this year, Griffith University photography, film and journalism students travelled to Cambodia, where they spent three weeks on assignment with local Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to capture some of the country’s most powerful untold stories.
From documenting the rehabilitation of captive elephants at The Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment and meeting giant Gambian pouched rats that sniff out landmines, to capturing the exotic nightlife of Phnom Penh and walking down the halls of a staggering number of orphanages, schools and homeless shelters, students were given the opportunity to work outside of their comfort zones to tell the stories of those who did not have a voice.
This once in a lifetime experience has been brought together into one beautifully curated magazine by the Argus team, filled with pages of incredible photographs that illustrate the harsh realities of life in Cambodia.
This is Cambodia 2018.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Queens of the Night
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Soulcial Trust
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Rebuilding a Fractured Society
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APOPO
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Golden West
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Hope Through Housing
48
Between These Plastered Walls
56
A Shining Beacon of Hope
62
GIZ
70
Green Umbrella
76
Khmer Magic Music Bus
84
Learning to be Wild
90
She Matters
100
Success from New Hope
106
The Gift of Khmer Sight
114
Friends: More Than a Restaurant
120
Off Track Schooling
126
Canvas and Colour
134
Sewing for Success
142
Zero Waste Fashion
148
Savongs School
156
Empowering Future Leaders for Tomorrow
164
Kampuchea Balopp
172
A Fret Above The Rest
180
Saraliin
186
The Finger in the Dam
192
Providing Hope From Despair
198
Wonders of Grace House
206
Testify
212
Concealing Comfort
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Queens of the Night Written by Lilly McKenzie
A drag queen fixes their eye makeup in the dressing room before performing at Blue Chilli Bar in Phnom Penh on Tuesday January 9, 2018. ‘Nicki Minaj’ impersonator performs every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at the popular tourist bar. He has been doing drag for three years, and met his German fiance at Blue Chilli. He loves performing Whitney Houston, but says that drag isn’t something you can do forever in Cambodia. Photo by Lilly McKenzie / ARGUS
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In Phnom Penh’s Riverside nightlife centre is a small bar unlike the others. Blue Chilli Bar is Cambodia’s first and longest running gay bar, a fun place with a warm and inclusive atmosphere. The bar is still run by its original owner, Sokha Kem. Sokha goes a long way to maintain the vibrance of Blue Chilli, which is a hit with locals, expats, and tourists alike. You’ll catch him working behind the bar if it’s busy, but most nights he’ll be chatting with the regulars, who he knows by name. Among the crowd, Sokha makes sure all his guests have a fun time, introducing himself to new customers. The inclusive atmosphere Sokha fosters doesn’t just reach his guests; it’s something he extends to his employees as well.
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Three beautiful queens (from left to right) Jessie, Nicki Minaj Impersonator and Rebecca Tanya Maraji 2500reils, take there time to perpare and get ready for their performances tonight. In the clutter of the small room its easy to nocitce the detication they all have for thier acts and the effort put in with making the most of what little they’ve got on Tuesday January 9, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Three Drag Queens making final preparations for their performances, located upstairs in the Dressing Room of Blue Chilli Bar, located in Phnom Penh. January 9, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Fendi walks on stage, ready to perform to the crowd at Blue Chilli Bar in Phnom Penh. January 9, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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The bartenders at Blue Chilli are always happy and lively. The bar has a sense of community that comes from the familylike closeness and support the staff have for each other. Three nights a week, Blue Chilli is packed, wall-to-wall, as people come from around the world to see some of the best talent Cambodia has to offer, with drag performances from 11pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The queens who perform are each other’s drag sisters, mothers, daughters, and are family outside of drag. The performers, bartenders and Sokha are all a family and the sense of community is overwhelming. Blue Chilli Bar is a safe-haven for all who work there, and all who frequent it. As well as a staff that feels like family and skilled performers who give it everything, Sokha has created a place for LGBT+ people to be themselves, a place where queer people and allies alike can celebrate queer culture.
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Sokha Kem keeps Blue Chilli Bar a safe space for his employees, unlike many of the other gay bars in the area. The riverside’s gay bars are rife with solicitation and exploitation of performers; particularly the use of trans performers, known in Cambodia as Ladyboys, as illegal prostitutes. Sokha has banned all solicitation from the bar and will remove any guest who tries to solicit one of his employees, as well as fire any employee using the bar for illegal prostitution. The protection Sokha offers, as well as the sense of family, makes Blue Chilli Bar a coveted place to work amongst the drag queens in Phnom Penh. The five queens that work at Blue Chilli perform a total of three nights a week, with special shows for tour groups on certain Tuesdays. Each queen performs two songs, plus at least one group number per performance. These queens leave everything on the stage, passion, sweat and even false lashes. The money the queens get from each
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performance goes straight back into their drag budget and the girls share everything. Each girl has a distinct flavor and talent that they bring but despite this, drag is not enough to be a career in Cambodia. Rabiga is the lip sync queen of the group and at 18, studies accounting and works for his parents during the day, while he performs at Blue Chilli at night. Jessie is the longest working queen, and has performed at Blue Chilli for five years. Named after Jessie J, her talent is impersonation, and she is a full-time performer who works as a back-up dancer during the day. Matthew is the baby of the group at 17 and only performs on the weekends because he is still in highschool. His parents support him doing drag, and cover his makeup and costuming costs. The queens come together and bring out the best in each other, as they give their best every night. In Blue Chilli Bar, Sokha Kem has created a welcoming, inclusive environment for staff and guests, that celebrates everyone’s talent.
The audience at Blue Chilli Bar in Phnom Penh enjoying Fendi’s performance. The Drag queens dance and mime the lyrics to popular songs. They perform with passion and enthusiam. January 9, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall /ARGUS
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Mss Angel dances on stage, much to the delight of the patrons at Blue Chilli Bar. She has been performing in drag shows at the bar for over two years. January 9, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Drag Queen Fendi (second from right) and Ek a.k.a “Nicki Minaj” (second from left) standing against the wall next to the stage at Blue Chilli Bar in Phnom Penh. Friday, January 12, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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With long strides of femininity this beautiful queen, Mss Angel, struts her stuff to the stage as her performs is just about to begin and blow away the audience tonight on January 12, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Soulcial Trust
Written by Dylan Crawford and Josh Prieto
Sem Sovantha (57) shoots hoops before practice begins at the ICF Centre basketball court on the 26th of January. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Soulcial Trust is a broad organisation that helps with a variety of issues in Southeast Asia. In Siem Reap, at the ICF Campus, they organise wheelchair basketball for adult men who are disabled due to either illness or maiming. Two days a week, a dozen men from various backgrounds gather for both social and sporting benefits during training. Coaches from the female Battambang national team, who are also disabled and well versed in basketball, come to the campus to train these men through drills and mock games. The men gather at this basketball court because they feel a sense of camaraderie and competitiveness. They have developed close bonds and it is clear that they get a great deal of enjoyment from playing. They push one another and those that are more skilled are always lending a hand to those that aren’t as proficient. Sem Sovantha, who lost both legs in 1990 to a landmine, is one of the men that joins the team during training. He also runs his own NGO named Angkor Association for the Disabled (ADD) which was registered in 2004, and focuses mainly on detecting and removing mines, as well as caring for those who have lost limbs. Several of the men in the team work with Sem at his NGO which brings the men closer and allows them to not face any hardship alone.
Soulcial Trust also runs a project called XLability that strives to create educational programmes to help schools and organisations learn about the challenges of those suffering from disabilities. Vincent Fouert and Pauline Lovicourt are the young and enthusiastic managers of the XLability programme. Vincent often joins the team during training, committing to playing in a wheelchair, though not disabled. Both French, they operate as interns with the organisation through their Universities. They’ve only been a part of the group for a short while but in addition to managing the sports centre they’re also planning an international wheelchair sports exchange in France later this year, run a disability education course for local students, and search for employment support opportunities for the players. None of this would be possible though without ICF Cambodia, an NGO from Switzerland that partners with Soulcial Trust to supply the team with the facilities and equipment needed for the training. The ICF Campus Arena was finalised in 2015 and since then has been a place for not just basketball but many causes. A large open roofed arena with quality equipment and facilities helps the team perform at their best and also serves as a safe, accepting environment for those that have faced hard times.
The men have also registered with the National Paralympic committee in hopes of eventually reaching the highest level of athletics within Cambodia. The players show great promise but understand that they have lots of training ahead of them, to achieve their goal of reaching this level within a couple of years. This aspiration also holds the promise for them of creating a better future for themselves and their families in one form or another. For the time being their plans consist of growing their skills so that they might get the opportunity to participate in national and international events. This small but fierce team is an inspiring bunch to witness in action, with such big smiles despite past misfortune, they certainly have the strongest of character and it can’t be helped but to believe in them. Lifting themselves back up to form these close friendships and valuable skills with the help of Soulcial Trust and their dedicated staff. The future looks bright for these twelve men fighting adversity and overcoming the odds. For more information go to: www.soulcialtravel.com www.icf-cambodia.com www.xlability.org
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Everyone begins practice by warming up at the ICF Centre basketball court on the January 26, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Chaing Chee (44) holds on to Hak Lemhaeng’s (56) wheelchair as they perform resistance training drills at the ICF Centre basketball court on the January 26, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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(From top) Heav Vannack, Nou Nan, Sem Sovantha and Hak Lemhaeng find some friendly competetion during Soulcial Trust’s wheelchair basketball training at the IFC centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia 26th January 2018. Photo by Josh Prieto / ARGUS
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Rebuilding a Fractured Society
Written by Deb Harrip, Jennifer Colverson and Kathy Foster
HIV sufferer (name withheld) is counselled by ARV Users Association (AUA) staff Em Ra and Chea Phearath at Pochentong Referral Clinic in Phnom Penh on January 15, 2018. AUA’s clinical teams work in close collaboration with doctors, nurses and administration staff to ensure HIV/AIDS patients receive effective and efficient diagnosis, treatment and support. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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There are currently an estimated 74,100 people living with HIV/Aids in Cambodia. Facing ongoing, grave challenges resulting from a fractured society who shun the vulnerable and marginalised, the sufferers are often left isolated by the stigma of the disease and discrimination within their own communities. With compassion and empathy, Antiretroviral Users Association (AUA) has provided 15 years of care to people living with HIV. AUA commenced operation in 2001 after a group of patients began meeting at the recently opened antiretroviral (ARV) therapy clinic to discuss their own HIV treatment and other issues compounding their lives resulting from being ostracised by their communities.
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Thirty-seven year old HIV patient, Noy Chanthy, receives medication for her disease at Pochentong Referral clinic, Phnom Penh, on 15 January 2018. Chanthy who was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1999 is a single mother with a fifteen year old son who comes to the clinic every two months to receive treatment and support. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
Thirty seven year old widow, Noy Chanthy discusses her challenges as a HIV sufferer with Heng Chheang Kim, 42 from Antiviral Users Association (AUA). Chanthy travels 15 kilometers to the Pochemtong Referal Clinic so her village does not know she suffers from HIV. Chanthy has a 15-year-old son. Photo by Deb Harrip / ARGUS
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Thirty-seven year old HIV patient, Noy Chanthy visits Pochentong Referral clinic, Phnom Penh, on 15 January 2018. Chanthy who was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1999 is a single mother with a fifteen year old son who comes to the clinic every two months to receive treatment and support. Photo by Jenifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Schoolteacher Kha Davy, 41 suffers from HIV after been diagnosed in 1997. She travels 91 kilometers from her community every two months to the Khmer Soviet HIV Clinic to avoid discrimination and receive her medication. Kha talks to AUA counselor, Ms Dy Sokha, 42 years old and has a three-year-old daughter. Photo by Deb Harrip / ARGUS
Clinic Consultant at Pochentong Referral clinic, Phnom Penh, works on the file of a HIV patient he is meeting with on 15 January 2018. Doctors and nurses at Pochentong Referral Clinic work in collaboraton with the staff from ARV Users Association (AUA) to ensure HIV/AIDS patients receive effective and efficient diagnosis, treatment and support. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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With no access to the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital support services, these patients became friends and found solace and understanding from each other. In 2003 Médecins Sans Frontières recognised the value of this peer-to-peer approach and provided the group with support for two hospital staff to assist the ten nominated volunteer; and a small donation that allowed AUA to formalize its organisation structure and commence a member based association for people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2007, Médecins Sans Frontières passed capacity to AUA. The mission of AUA is to empower and create opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS through education, advocacy, mutual support and partnerships. By providing a support structure for patient care and organising activities that coordinate different stakeholder groups, AUA has pioneered a unique care model that was overlooked by the Cambodian health care system. Since AUA’s conception, this innovative holistic approach has supported and counselled 7779 members over five hospital sites throughout Cambodia by providing free HIV medicine, counselling, transportation, hygiene kits and financial support to patients admitted to hospital who do not have the capacity to pay. Current patient membership numbers equate to 2250.
As a founding member of AUA, Executive Director Sienghorn Han has been one of the forerunners of the NGO leading crucial services and expanding into prisons where HIV inmates would otherwise be without essential services and have no support mechanisms. Unfortunately, Ms Han reports that due to ongoing funding challenges, AUA has had to reduce the numbers of vital staff and counsellors working in two Phnom Penh clinics. It is also worthwhile noting that AUA staff are also HIV sufferers so they too have to deal with their own challenges and health issues. As we wander through the simple corridors of two clinics, taking time to listen to people suffering from HIV and hearing their stories, it is clear the intentions and interactions that AUA staff provide are paramount to each patient’s health and wellbeing. In some instances, patients travel a long way to reach the clinics so people in their own communities do not know they are HIV sufferers, for stigma and discrimination still exist. But, hopefully with more education, these people can look forward to a world that embraces them with the dignity, hope and respect they truly deserve. Further information on Antiretroviral Users Association (AUA) can be found at: http://www.auacambodia.org
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Street view of Pochentong Referral clinic, Phnom Penh, on 15 January 2018. Doctors and nurses at Pochentong Referral Clinic work in collaboraton with the staff from ARV Users Association (AUA) to ensure HIV/AIDS patients receive effective and efficient diagnosis, treatment and support. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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APOPO
Written by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza and Sara Goddard
21-year-old Kem Minea continues on with daily house duties such as washing the clothes and the dishes outdoors. Her home is located in the Knar Pthoul Village in the Sre Nouy commune, Varin District within the Siem Reap Province. Thanks to the APOPO team with the rats and with CMAC’s help this area is now safer for the citizens to carry on with living and cultivating the land without fear of hidden UXO’s and landmines. January 23, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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It starts with a few sniffs in the air then suddenly, before you realise it, a giant Gambian pouched rat has discovered an underground landmine. Once the landmines are uncovered by the brave deminers, the dangerous explosive is revealed as peacefully nestled in the ground. Some of these unexploded ordinances (UXOs) and landmines have stayed hidden for close to 3 decades. During that time many innocent people have felt the aftermath of the war that started with Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge, and their genocide of the Cambodian people. The new generation of Cambodians in the city no longer live in fear of landmines, however out in the villages throughout the different provinces, it’s a different story. To this day farmers and families are left with two choices; either die from starvation, or run the risk of losing a limb to a hidden landmine. Considering the number of amputees in Cambodia the question is rhetorical. Even those who have lost a limb from a landmine must continue to work in order to survive.
Cambodia - as well as other countries such as Laos and Angola - the government’s largest demining operator in the country the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) have continued their partnership with APOPO (AntiPersoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling – Dutch for Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection). APOPO is a nongovernment organisation that uses Mine Detection Rats (MDRs) to sniff out landmines. These rats are well suited for the job because of their superior sense of smell and their light weight. MDRs usually weigh between 1.2 to 1.5kg, nothing near the 5kg needed to set off a mine. They are so efficient that they can cover 200m2 within 20 minutes, whereas a metal detector would take up to 4 days. Another benefit of the MDRs over metal detectors is that the MDRs are searching for the scent of TNT, which is found in all mines whether they are made from plastic or metal. Also, the metal detectors often find pieces of scrap metal such as spoons and jewellery as well as mines.
In order to reduce the number of incidents throughout
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First trained in Tanzania, the $6,000 MDRs only reach Cambodia once they have met stringent requirements. Ongoing training for an MDR lasts for another year in order to prepare them for the fields of Cambodia. The MDRs in training are first exposed to clicker training where they are conditioned to find the clicking noise, elements such as background noise are added, and they are trained to work with and around humans. The rats are given a treat each time they respond to the clicker, and they learn to associate the noise of a ‘click’ with food. Following from this training is scent discrimination, where the smell of TNT is introduced with the clicker. At first, the scent is very strong, but as training continues it is gradually reduced and non-TNT odours are added, the rat must work harder to find it, increasing their accuracy. Next, they work in soil trays with different environmental conditions, searching for the TNT positive smell without the clicker. When the rats discover a location where the scent of TNT is coming from, they pause and hover over the area. They display a sign such as scratching the ground, grooming or smelling the air. Each rat has a
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different signature move. Once the target is accurately found a ‘click’ goes off and a treat is soon scoffed down. With this training the MDRs are taught to distinguish between positive and negative TNT smells in a short time-frame. They are then taken to a training field with pre-marked 200m2 sections of land where the trainers know the locations of the TNT laced-deactivated mines, the MDRs are trained as though it’s the real deal, and on-queue the rat will show its sign of scratching or sniffing. If accurate one of the trainers utilise the clicker and the rat is immediately rewarded, generally with a banana, upon returning to the trainer. These further conditions the rats to associate traces of TNT with a reward. The rat must be accredited before it can be sent out to search for live mines in real-life situations. In the final test the rat must have 100% accuracy; if one mine is missed it fails. On an actual minefield, missing a mine means risking the life or safety of a person. If the rat passes, it is then sent to its country of operation where they are re-tested by local authorities to prove their efficiency and suitability. If successful, they start work on the real minefields.
31-year-old Sophea Mao has worked alongside APOPO and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) for the past 3 years. Now a Mine Detection Rat (MDR) handler she continues training, working alongside the, giant Gambian pouched ‘HeroRATs’. Costing an average of 6,000 Euro each, the rats are cared for extremely well, even a morning ritual of sunscreen is conducted to protect their ears and tail. Siem Reap Province 21st January 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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With names like Victoria, Cletus, Frederick, Isaac and Magawa these giant furry creatures are determined to find any traces of TNT explosives underground. Starting out their work at the early hours of the morning at the training grounds located in the rural areas of the Siem Reap province, these curious rats utilise their superior sense of smell to detect hidden landmines and UXOs. Siem Reap Province 21st January 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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It starts with a few sniffs in the air then suddenly before you realise it, a giant Gambian pouched rat has discovered an underground landmine. Some of these unexploded ordinances (UXOs) and landmines have stayed hidden for close to 3 decades. Located in the Stae Pou village, Srae Noy commune, Varin district, Siem Reap Province. Discovered on the 18th of September 2010, this minefield is still to this day being cleared by the APOPO and CMAC team. Thanks to the HeroRATs with their keen sense of smell and with their extensive training these rats are able to only detect traces of TNT whether from plastic or metal mines. Siem Reap Province (Stae Pou village, Srae Noy commune, Varin district) 22nd January 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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One of the APOPO and CMAC crewmembers, rolls up the remaining wire from a detonation of 12 kilograms of TNT explosives. After the HeroRATs have detected the landmines and UXOs, if the mines are stable enough the team safely stores them and during the next few days the mines are combined with others in order to have a live explosion. Siem Reap Province (Knar Phtoul Village, Sre Nouy commune, Varin District) 23rd January 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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When searching for mines, two handlers accompany each rat. The rat wears a harness which connects to two pieces of rope; one is wrapped around each handler’s leg to create a trail for the rat to follow, the other rope is held by the handlers to gently guide the rat in each direction. The rat methodically combs each inch of ground in search of TNT. APOPO works closely with CMAC to clear out a number of mine-riddled areas. Once a rat has signalled it has discovered a mine, a CMAC de-miner comes
in and very carefully removes the mine. If stable enough, the mines are carefully stored to be detonated with a collection of other explosives the following day. With the current resources, APOPO has they need to prioritise high-risk areas, resulting in other areas and projects being pushed behind. At this rate, it’s estimated that a mine-free Cambodia would be accomplished within the next 20 years, however with an expansion of the programme this could be achieved sooner.
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Golden West
Written by Jim O’Reilly and Kathy Foster
Controlled explosion of a Land mine. Len Austin from Golden West Humanitarian Foundation and staff remove themselves to a safe distance prior to conducting a control detonation of a unexploded land mine on January 11, 2018. Photo Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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The Golden West field location is situated in a serenely quiet rural area in Kampong Chnang Province and is surrounded by farms and coconut palm groves. The first thing that you see when you arrive at the Golden West facility are the warning signs to advise you of a potential bomb explosion. Entering the gate and heading down the road on the right is a large undercover area and welcome centre which houses displays of ordnances, munitions, and bombs. Some of the ordnances have been cut away to display the internal workings for education purposes while others are complete. On the left is a series of small shed-like buildings behind a barbed wire fence. These are the work stations for the different stages for the removal of explosives within the bomb casing.
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Bomb cutting is observed remotely via camera to ensure safety. The area where the bandsaw used to cut the bombs is set up with many cameras so that the whole area can be viewed remotely. For safety reasons the sawing of the bomb is watched closely. The observer is not only watching the progress he is watching to see any irregularity in the cutting which can indicate a worn bandsaw blade. This is a risk as it can increase the risk of an explosion taking place. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
The dedication and expertise of the people that run this facility is extraordinary. Retired US Marine Len Austin is a case in point. He is the Director of Special Projects and he leads the team at Kampong Chnang in what he describes as a “recycling centre for bombs�. His team is trained in all aspects of munitions recycling, with the majority of training occurring under Austin’s direct supervision. The current processes are as a result of several years of research by Austin. He has
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introduced different process and tools to reduce the risk of harm during explosives removal and to maximise the amount of explosive that can be recovered and reused. At the conclusion of the process, a small 30-gram charge is produced that is then used in the field to detonate exploded landmines. The process of making these 30-gram charges is not without risk, and safety is the number one priority. Unexploded bombs arrive at the facility minus their fuses which have
been removed in the field. They are labelled according to their origin and estimated age with older munitions requiring more care with handling. To remove the explosive from the device it has to be cut open to expose the inner explosive core inside. This explosive then than has to be removed using a unique process involving steam. One of the great advantages of the method used at Golden West is the ingenious yet simple and relatively inexpensive processes that are used to
Liquified explosive is poured into moulds to be reused to detonate land mines. Explosive recovered from bombs is ground down and liquified to make small 30g explosives to detonate land mines and other smaller devices in the field. These are poured into moulds by technicians where it takes them several hours to set. Golden West is the only facility that is recycling explosive in this way. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
remove explosive materials and recycle them. Bomb heads are cut off using a standard band saw and fine tooth hacksaw blade which are surprising sourced from the USA at the minimal cost of 75 cents each. Each blade can cut through up to 20 ordnances. The most important part of this stage in that the blade is kept cool and a unique recycling of fluid occurs as the cut takes place, as excessive heat could cause the munition to explode. The now cut ordnance is taken
to the next facility where the explosive is removed from its case using high-pressure steam, which makes its way between the explosive and the casing. The explosive is then handed ground, using a ceramic mortar similar to mortar and pestle. It is broken down, liquefied and poured into custom designed moulds making 30-gram charges that are then used to detonate unexploded landmines in the field. A testing area away from the main facility is used to
demonstrate the capability of a 30-gram charge when placed near an unexploded bomb. The small charge is fused and placed next to a landmine. After moving a considerable distance the landmine is exploded. The shock wave from the explosion is significant even where we were standing at a safe distance. It was a good demonstration of the ferocity of these small mines, leading to a great understanding of how injury and death occur when people come in contact with them.
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A technician holds a 30 gram recycled explosive after a fuse hole has been drilled in it. For the best use the small explosives need to be fused from the narrow end. Technicians drill a small hole in the top of the moulded explosive to ensure the best explosion. Financial partners of Golden West have their insignia moulded into the explosive. They are easy to transport and inert until there is a fuse attached. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
Blowing education for Bomb Disposal out of the water! In the suburb of Toul Kork in residential Phnom Penh, you will find a large inconspicuous house that is, in fact, the Golden West Design Lab (D-Lab). Within the building John Wright (Chief Design Engineer) works with a team of young Cambodians to create new technologies for humanitarian explosive ordnance disposal. They design and make teaching materials, both physical and with mixed reality, that are used for the education of personnel who
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work to remove and dispose of explosive materials in conflict zones around the world. Golden West is a Humanitarian Foundation. Since 1998 their mission has been to safeguard the lives of people living in areas contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnances. Their ultimate aim is to leave all post-war regions free of explosive remnants including large bombs and smaller ordnances like landmines and cluster bombs. One of the main projects at
D-Lab is to design and build three-dimensional models of many different ordnances that can then be sent around the world. They can be taken apart and reconstructed as clients learn how to put them together. Each part of the ordnance is colour coded to show their function. For example, in each model the explosive is coloured yellow, the moving parts are white, the trigger and trigger parts are red, and the casing is blue. Each part is made in a 3D printer and they are assembled before they are sent out to a
A small recycled explosive is placed next to a landmine to explode it. The small explosives are placed next to landmines. There is a fuse that is placed in the 30 gram explosive and there is not actual contact with the landmine. A line is run from the fuse to a safe area between 50 and 100 metres away. When the bomb is detonated the blast is enough to also detonate the land mine that is sitting next to it. The explosion is loud and powerful and there is little left of the explosive device other than a few small pieces of melted twisted plastic. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
wide variety of organisations from around the world. Local university graduates are trained to use the 3D computer programs and to make and assemble each of the ordnances. Cost varies according to what each client requires according to their location and the ordnances they are dealing with. US $3,000 is the price for one model with packages of multiple models priced up to $30,000. All money received goes back into the organisation.
Another project that has been developed by John Wright uses augmented reality. Clients can look through a ‘book’ that, when combined with the augmented reality eyepieces, display the ordnances that can be moved around to see all aspects, as well as display specifications and other information related to each ordnance. This new project is still in the development phase but shows exceptional promise in terms of the educational aims of Golden West.
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Len Austin explains the vast range of munitions that Golden West work with, diffuse and recycle. Wall in the Education facility demonstrates the amazing amount of different ordnances that the centre deal with on a daily basis. Austin is passionate about his commitment to work innovatively to provide sustainable practises for the removal of landmines. The work that he does is relevant to mine fields and war zones around the world, not just Cambodia and Asian area. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
Golden West works collaborates with governments from all over the world helping to educate their armed forces in a way that is affordable and appropriate for each country. Staff have a huge range of combined experience with Ordnance Disposal and the highly qualified staff work cooperatively with the United Nations, National Mine Action Centres and other relevant NGOs working to improve humanitarian services and to save lives. In Cambodia alone, there are between four and six million unexploded
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ordnances. With every single cluster bomb that was released, it is estimated that of the up to 2,000 sub-bombs released from each ordnance up to 30% can fail to explode. They remain on the ground affecting the lives and livelihood of the people using that land. As landmines and unexploded ordnances are found and destroyed, the land is released back into productive use, with the majority of Cambodians relying on land use for their income. Golden West’s many-pronged
efforts to make the world a safe place to live and work are innovative. They are continuing to explore education and training as one of their main motivations while also working proactively in the field to provide solutions to reduce fatalities or harm to those who are in the front line of Explosives Removal.
Len Austin demonstrates the size of some of the ordnances that are recycled at Golden West. A huge variety of bombs arrive at New Hope with the aim of removing and recycling the explosive from within the bomb casing. The casings are taken for metal recycling and are used for a variety of purposes that suit metal recycling. The explosive is repurposed to serve as a small 30g charge to detonate unexploded land mines that still exist in the field, removing the risk of the land mine exploding when it is moved. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Hope Through Housing
Written by Deb Harrip, Jennifer Colverson and Jim O’Reilly
Inside the home of the Khat family in Chamkar Kouy Village, Kandal Province, Cambodia, January 12, 2018. This home was provided for the family by NGO, Habitat for Humanity (HFH), who believe that decent housing is a fundamental right for all people. With nearly three quarters of the Cambodian population living on less than US $3per day, HFH seeks to break the cycle of poverty through safe, durable housing solutions. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Habitat for Humanity Cambodia; (HFH) is a vital service providing hope to the vulnerable, marginalized and homeless families, by improving individual housing conditions and assisting families with education and accessing clean water and sanitation with their approach ‘family is for life’. For nearly twenty years Habitat for Humanity Cambodia has partnered with many key benefactors to fulfill their vision of “building a better place to live.” They have many facets to their outreach programs which include but are not limited to: National Housing Forum; Building homes for extremely; vulnerable individuals; Building communities; Disaster risk reduction and response; Market Development; Housing Finance; Land and housing advocacy and Solid Ground Campaign.
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Twenty-seven year old Khat Sothia, prepares lunch at her home in Chamkar Kouy Village, Kandal Province, Cambodia, on January 12, 2018. Sothia’s home was provided for her by NGO, Habitat for Humanity (HFH), who believe that decent housing is a fundamental right for all people. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
Habitat is an organisation intent on promoting dignity and aspiration, their vision to promote “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” by addressing the challenges arising in housing problems within Cambodia that result from hardship and extreme poverty. Habitat integrates other social support services to provide a holistic approach. Due to a non-functioning social assistance system in Cambodia, the speed of growth that Phnom Penh and other metropolitan areas are experiencing is due to rural families arriving en-
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mass without sufficient skills to source employment in the city. Which invariably leads to increased poverty. Families are suffering grave challenges due to insufficient land and housing infrastructure. Habitat’s dedicated staff are the driving force, helping to end poverty and hardship in Cambodia. In Phnom Penh alone, they currently have 30 staff members and to date have assisted 18,000 low-income families located in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang provinces. Habitat offer compassionate and empathetic projects. Habitat also provide
educational training for families to learn entrepreneurial skills, such as, how to budget money and offer assistance in starting small businesses to enhance their livelihoods HFH Cambodia’s New Start/ New Life is a long-term project commenced in 2010, focusing on providing individual housing solutions for people affected by HIV/AIDS, the elderly, disabled, widowers/widows. Potential beneficiaries must undertake pre-screening to see if they are eligible in meeting the criteria that is then reviewed by Habitat Committees.
Three year old Leakena descends the stairs of her Habitat Cambodia built home. These homes are raised to allow air to flow underneath to keep the home cool during the hot SEAsian summers. Residents and Homeowners will use the space underneath for a kitchen and area to keep their animals and livestock on January 12, 2018. Photo by Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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Living in Sambour Village is Dy Eat, 30 years old, married with one child. She grows five different vegetables and rice. Habitat for Humanity have provided agriculture training and roofing repairs. Part of her agriculture training includes not using any chemicals. Dy Eat also makes rugs using shop bought dyes. It takes her five days to complete a 1.8 x 2.5 metre rug, which she sells for $5.00. January 12, 2018. Photo by Deb Harrip / ARGUS
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Kit Sochann, aged 42 years suffers from a chronic disease and is handing washing at her son’s house. Her son is a Habitat for Humanity beneficiary at Chamkar Kouy Village is the Kandal Province on January 12, 2018. Photo by Deb Harrip / ARGUS
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Two year old Kolab (right) and her cousin Atith prepare for their afternoon nap in the Habitat Cambodia built home of Kolab’s parents. It is a way of life that during the hottest part of the day in Cambodia families return from the fields and work to rest, sleep and escape the heat of the noon day sun on January 12, 2018. Photo by Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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This project enables Habitat to buy the successful beneficiaries land if they do not have this and offers beneficiaries a choice of housing options which include a high set or low set housing. Our project group visits a small community based in the Chamkar Kouy Village located in Kandal Province where eight houses have already been built to house needy families living in this pleasing community. Another two houses are under construction in readiness for disadvantaged families who meet criteria. As these streets in the capital continues to grow steadily, the vulnerable and marginalized are making the best of their daily lives the best they can, with continued hope and optimism. One such individual is Houn Saron, 59, of Kampong Speu province. A former Khmer Rouge soldier, he fled to the mountains when the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia at the fall of the Pol Pot regime, where he lived for three years. When word reached him and others that were with him, that an amnesty was agreed to for former Khmer fighters, he began to climb down out of his mountain hideout. Nearing the end of that journey, he stood on a land mine and lost his leg. For 15yrs he eked out a subsidence living and contracted HIV before coming across Habitat Cambodia. He also married relatively late in life at age 42, his wife is 11 years younger. She commutes daily into Phnom Penh for work and he raises homemade crops
in their small garden and cares for the school aged children. Standing proudly in the centre of the room, he looks proudly at the photographs of his family that adorn the walls of their small yet neat, well kept home and with obvious emotion in his voice proudly tells us “I am very proud of my family.” Unlike other NGO’s which are mainly located in Phnom Penh, Habitat has expanded to other regional provinces and cities such as Siem Reap. Along with Habitats key projects noted earlier, the Siem Reap branch of Habitat also focuses heavily on water projects, sanitation and hygiene education. They also empower local villagers with the skills to operate small homebased businesses to improve their lives. An example of this small business focus is Dy Eat. Living in Sambour Village, 60 kilometers from Siem Reap. 30 year old Dy Eat is married with one child. She grows five different vegetables and rice. Habitat for Humanity have provided agriculture training and roofing repairs. Part of her agriculture training includes not using any chemicals. Dy Eat also makes rugs using shop bought dyes. It takes her five days to complete a 1.8 x 2.5 metre rug that she sells for $5.00 and with these funds she can pay for food and her child’s schooling. Throughout our travels and work with NGO’s in Cambodia, Habitat, with their vision, ethics, committed staff and the genuine desire to assist their fellow Cambodians who in our opinion rate as one of the more professional NGO’s in the country.
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Between These Plastered Walls Written by Jake Day and Alesia Tabone
The waiting room / client room where fitting and consults take place. A young boy with polio lies on the mats, his family live in the outer providences so he remains at the clinic all day. Exceed, The Cambodia Trust, Cambodia, January 15, 2018. Photo by Alesia Tabone / ARGUS
With its head office in Phnom Penh, international NonGovernment Organisation, Exceed run renowned schools that teach prosthetics and orthotics construction. They service nations embroiled in warfare or blanketed with unexploded ordnances, such as Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Myanmar and Cambodia. Exceed’s students are from conflict-affected nations where there is a profound need for prosthetics and orthotics. For
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these young students, the question, ‘What do I want to be in life?’ is answered selflessly and silently as they study diligently to take their skills back to their communities. No two days are the same for each student. In Exceed’s Phnom Penh school, a group of second-year students in their early twenties intently watch three Cambodian amputees testing out custom-made prosthetics. This exercise is part
of their practical examinations. Exams are always daunting but the real-life experience they gain is much more intense. Patients arrive at the clinic suffering from various conditions; car and train accident injuries, birth defects, and landmine injuries. Exceed provides hands-on experience for students, who take on all the responsibilities in patient care; from evaluations, construction and fitting of prosthesis and orthotics, to rehabilitation
The waiting room / client room where fitting and consults take place. A young boy with polio lies on the mats, his family live in the outer providences so he remains at the clinic all day. Exceed, The Cambodia Trust, Cambodia, January 16, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS
training afterwards. Formerly The Cambodian Trust, Exceed opened in 1989 after the Prime Minister at the time, Hun Sen asked for assistance with the country’s countless landmine survivors. The first rehabilitation centre was opened in 1992 by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, Queen Monineath and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. After the opening of the second rehabilitation
centre in 1993, there was an increase of patients with polio, cerebral palsy and congenital deformities, causing an expansion into orthotics and physiotherapy. The Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics opened in Phnom Penh in 1994 and eventually accepted international intake in 1997. The organisation has since opened schools in Sri Lanka, Jakarta, Myanmar, and the
Philippines. As of 31st March 2015, Exceed has provided 50,182 custom-made prosthetic and orthotic devices, supported 952 small business start-ups, and has passed 327 graduates. These graduates all hope to take their skills back to their home countries to help those who need them most.
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Mr Mean Tiesga 22 years old practices walking with a technician in training. Mean attempts to use the mirror for visualisation the technician notices any changes or difficulties. Mean lost his leg as a young boy due to a traffic accident. Exceed, The Cambodia Trust, Cambodia, January 15, 2018. Photo by Alesia Tabone / ARGUS
Mr Ouk Vy 23 years old, attempts to put his socket back on. Exceed, The Cambodia Trust, Cambodia, January 15, 2018. Photo by Alesia Tabone / ARGUS
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Mr Ouk Vy 23 years old, attempts to put his socket back on. Due to not having a socket sock like in many other western countries, Ouk uses 8 Nike socks to try and create some padding for his device. Although it realises some of the pain he explains it is still quite painful. Exceed, The Cambodia Trust, Cambodia, January 15, 2018. Photo by Alesia Tabone / ARGUS
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Mr Ouk Vy 23 years old, walking out of the clinic to return to his providence in Pennon Penh. He will be back within two weeks to receive and be fitted for his new device. It is explained that due to the new device there might be a struggle to learn to use his new device, much like learning to walk again. Exceed, The Cambodia Trust, Cambodia, January 15, 2018. Photo by Alesia Tabone / ARGUS
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A Shining Beacon of Hope Writen by Deb Harrip and Jen Colverson
Twety-one year old teacher, Srey Neth, supports her students during an English class at Dreams Come True Community Education Centre (DCTCEC) at Ansaong Village, Prey Veng, Cambodia on January 11, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Thirty five years ago, Ravy Leang-Slattery contracted Poliomyelitis at the age of six months. Ravy did not have the opportunity to go to school until she was nine years of age because of her disability. Ravy was so determined to get to school that on the first day of attendance, she crawled 500 metres to get there because her polio was so debilitating. However Ravy needed a pair of crutches so she could continue her journey to and from school. Veterans International Organisation heard about Ravy’s plight and wanted to assist by providing her with leg braces and crutches. Ravy completed her Year 9 studies at the Government school, but her family were unable to continue paying for her education, which meant travelling to another town. Veterans International came to Ravy’s assistance again, by providing her with a bicycle, food, clothing and books so she could achieve her dream of completing high school.
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Students take part in English lessons at Dreams Come True Community Education Centre (DCTCEC) at Ansaong Village, Prey Veng, Cambodia on January 10, 2018. DTCEC works collaboratively with the local government school to provide extra English and ICT classes that enhance the education of students. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Reat Ratanak and Hom Keakena compare notes during an English class at Dreams Come True Community Education Centre (DCTCEC) at Ansaong Village, Prey Veng, Cambodia on January 10, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Ravy Leang Slattery, 35 looks on at her teacher who is teaching English to students at Dreams come True Education Centre at Anasoung Village on January 10, 2018. Photo by Debra Harrip / ARGUS
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After completing high school, Ravy was determined to go to Phnom Penh to further her tertiary studies. Ravy and her sister arrived in Phnom Penh with no money and had to squat in an unfurnished house with no facilities. Ravy heard about YODIFEE, a Marist Organisation that assisted disabled people. They directed Ravy to World Vision, who helped her with accommodation and living costs, while she undertook an accounting degree. Ravy graduated in 2013 and serves as an inspiration to others in her village because she is the first village member to obtain university qualifications. In 2013, Ravy and her husband Wayne, who also suffers from polio, established a non-profit organisation in a dusty but colourful rural Cambodian village. She saw a vital need for local school children living in her village of Anasong to learn essential English and computer studies. By establishing the nonprofit organisation, she gave students the opportunity to aspire and achieve their future goals. Ansaong Village is located in Prey Vang, which is situated 120 kilometres from Phnom Penh. Prior to establishing ‘Dreams Come True Education Centre’, children only had the opportunity to attend the local government school until grade nine. They only learnt Khmer, biology and basic mathematics before obtaining work in either the garment industry or as labourers and farmers.
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Students from Ansaong Village government school buy their breakfast before class begins in Prey Veng province, Cambodia. Vendors set up stalls selling healthy food and snacks at the school each morning to give students access to a proper meal each day. January 10, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Ravy collaborates with the village monks and the local government school, receiving support for her centre and efforts to provide enriching educational opportunities for village children. Lessons commence at 6am in the morning and finish at 7pm, which revolve around the government school hours so that students are not away from their mathematics, biology and Khmer lessons. There is a huge focus to employ disabled teachers at the rural centre, in order to raise awareness of disabilities within the village and to eradicate discrimination associated with the disabled that unfortunately lives beneath the surface in Cambodia. Ravy is an inspiration; her tiny diminutive figure radiates luminosity and she is living proof that despite her disability, someone with strength and purpose from rural Cambodia can overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Further information about this education centre can be found at: http://dreamcometruecambodia.org
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GIZ
Written by Kathy Foster and Debra Harrip
Homestay clean and ready to accept guests. This homestay in the Chub Village in the Khnar Po Commune is simple and clean and ready for tourists. They are welcomed into the community with shared meals and activities. Accommodation is basic but comfortable in tha peaceful rural Cambodian environment on January 22, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.� Tourism and income are closely linked in many areas of Cambodia. Tourism is at the heart of Siem Reap and many travel far to see the famous temples. However, beyond the temples are many local enterprises and projects that are lacking the information and support to develop and promote their services and products. The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) is funded by the German government to help fix this issue. They provide services that help create sustainable development and education. In Cambodia, GIZ aims to improve Rural Economic Development by working with rural communities and villages to develop new sustainable businesses and employment
opportunities. GIZ is different from many other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) because its focus is not on identifying projects themselves but working consultatively with local communities and districts to place ownership of the programs with them. They do not provide any funds but they do provide support and education. Communities are empowered to work together cooperatively to develop programs that are relevant to them and the village that they live in. For example, in lakeside village Kampong Khleang, there is an enterprise set up locally to take tourists up the river to the biggest inland lake in Cambodia. This has been operating for some time but the possibility of true economic development is only possible now because of the education and training that GIZ provides.
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Cutting wood for the fire pit where they heat sugar cane water to reduce down to make a sticky substance to mould for palm sugar cubes at Bayon Smile Tourism Community. In this community people make $1.75 profit after outlaying $1.25 for palm water as they do not grow trees on January 22, 2018. Photo by Debra Harrip / ARGUS
GIZ Advisor for Regional Management and Tourism Development, Ms Saloth Eng works long hours to ensure that the model for Regional Economic Development is successful for all the local participants. She explained that as this project develops, they are concentrating more on the local district of Banteay Srei, which is part of the Siem Reap Province. Communities are encouraged to submit possible projects and they are rigorously evaluated for their viability before GIZ commits. She organised for us to visit five
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local communities that are in a variety of stages of their own tourism development.
increase in tourist numbers that visit and engage in the services and products they promote.
As we met with local community leaders, they discussed their local projects, which include homestays, broom making, river boat rides, development of palm sugar, lotus pond boat rides and regenerated forest. All of the community leaders talked about the benefits of the training that they received and its influence on their practice. In communities where programs had run for a few years already, leaders talked about the
Bis Komploek community leader, Mr Khoeun Khoun told us that they established 15 homestay properties in his village and surrounding area. They had an increase of 200 tourists visiting over the last twelve months and at the moment they cannot increase this without adding more homestay properties. He discussed other programs that they introduced to make the homestays more attractive, like
Community Leaders at Kampong Khleang discuss community direction with GIZ representatives. Community leaders are encouraged to communicate and interact with their community as well as with GIZ representatives to ensure that the directions that they are taking regarding tourism are agreed on by all. In this case Saloth Eng, Tourism Advisor for GIZ was visiting the community to discuss their progress and future directions as well as some of the ways that they were looking for direction from GIZ on January 22, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
the inclusion of tourist visits to local farms and Khmer cooking classes. He said that as a result of training for the tourist market, the health of villagers had improved because they were better educated about cleaning, food preparation and accommodation requirements. Bayon Smile and Banteay Srei Tourism community, leader Mr Sean Sarouen advocated for ecotourism in the area around the Banteau Srei Wat (temple). Sarouen supported ecotourism because he observed first hand how the increase of
ecotourists had improved his community. He predicted that his community will continue to benefit with more profitable projects. Community leader of a palm sugar program in Chenng Srey Pon said that eco tourism was a drawcard for that area too because palm sugar sold for more at ecotourism resports. After observing the communities and interacting with community leaders, it was clear that the various projects that GIZ support
within communities have wide, ongoing positive effects. However the greatest effect is the way each community bands together to have ownership of their program. They are empowered to achieve with education, training and support whenever they need it without the emphasis on dictating how something should be done, but by a slow measured approach of consultation and discussion. They are, in effect, teaching them how to fish! http://www.giz.de
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Srey Nom, 33 and Srey Neath, 30 work together to prepare palm sugar for market at Bayon Smile Tourism Community. On average they can make 1000 palm sugar shapes per day on January 22, 2018. Photo by Debra Harrip / ARGUS
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Green Umbrella
Written by Dylan Crawford and Jack Hart
A young student excitingly runs home after a long day studying at the Green Umbrella School on the on January 16, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Walking around the school grounds with Sam, he expresses the plans and goals of the Green Umbrella Foundation. From expanding the number of students far beyond the 85 they currently have, to the grand idea of having a new multipurpose building with more classrooms and a hall that could be used by the wider community. The idea started in 2008; to create a specialised NGO school for the rural community living in the Takeo Province, providing free, top quality primary education for children from the poorest of families living in this area. Reading books, writing notes, and sitting through many years of schooling is something many people take for granted. In Cambodia, a country of approximately 16,142,103 people, this is not always the case. With 14% of Cambodian people living below the national poverty line, day to day life can be a struggle. Good quality education is one way of overcoming and decreasing the number of people living in poverty. Since 2012, Green Umbrella’s Karuna Kumar School has been making a real difference in people’s lives. For 85 lucky children living in the Takeo Province, about an hour and a half out of Phnom Penh, Green Umbrella provides them with top quality education free of charge.
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Throughout September and October every year, Green Umbrella goes around the local community and selects one child of eligible age from surrounding families. The child is chosen based on the poverty level of the family, the child’s intelligence, and their health. The selected children attended the school free of charge, receiving their uniforms, stationary, books, and other materials at no charge. Green Umbrella follows the National Curriculum, teaching Khmer, maths, science, and social studies. On top of this, Green Umbrella also teaches the children English, Information Communication and Technology, Health and Nutrition, and Sport. The children also have access to a well resourced library where each class has a designated daily reading time. The books are also there to be borrowed and taken home to read with their family. Green Umbrella works closely with the local high school, offering senior students the opportunity to work with Green Umbrella on their other projects. One of the positions offered to the students is teaching at Green Umbrella’s English school; a project aimed at primary, secondary and high school students, providing them with free English lessons every Monday - Friday at 5:15pm -
6:15pm. Here, they not only learn English, but also selfmanagement, and leadership skills. 250 students from the surrounding community regularly attend the GU English School. The mobile library is also an opportunity for high school students to work with Green Umbrella. On the weekend, students set up an area in a local community where people can come and practice their reading skills. Green Umbrella provides the books for the mobile library. High school students also help out with the Soccer program at Green Umbrella, helping coach the Under 10 boys team and the Under 14 girls team. Each of these teams then participate in the local soccer league. Green Umbrella also offers the opportunity to be involved in their projects to volunteers from all over the world. Volunteers can work alongside teachers in the day to day running of the classroom, be part of construction projects around the school, or use the knowledge brought with them to teach the staff new and different skills. Volunteers are able to stay anywhere from one week up to one year, although Green Umbrella prefers volunteers to stay for at least three months. Green Umbrella
have a boarding house just down the road from the school where volunteers are able to stay. Or they will organise accommodation in a Khmer style home or with a Khmer family. Only spending two days with Green Umbrella it quickly became clear how much they cared about improving the future of the local community. They had clear plans in place and were actively striving for more kids in the area to attend the school and programmes. The smiles on each and every child’s face was just proof that they were doing something right. To get in contact with Green Umbrella or to find out more information on how you can help visit http://greenumbrella-khmer.org/
Top left; Sokrath poses outside a classroom with his students behind him practicing their english on the January 16, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS Bottom left; Young boy completes his class work at the Green Umbrella Karuna Kumar School. Green Umbrellas Karuna Kumar School gives 85 students from under privileged families in the Takeo Province the opportunity to free high quality education. Each child is given all their stationary, uniforms, books and other materials free of charge on January 22, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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A western teacher volunteers at the Green Umbrella school so that she may show these young students the correct english on January 16, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Lunch time at the Green Umbrella school gathers all the hungry students around the table for chicken broth with rice on January 15, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Green Umbrella student kicks a soccer ball as hard as he can during a match with his classmate so that it will make it to the goal. January 16, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Khmer Magic Music Bus Written by Jack Hart
The Khmer Magic Music Bus troup, comprising musicians, performers and singers, make their way back to the accomodation after performing at Prammadei Primary School. The traveling crew of the KMMB often homestay with local families, all eating, talking and sleeping together. This is just another way they give back to the communities they serve. January 20, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart/ ARGUS
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As the singers and musicians wake up from their midday nap, I talk to Arn Chorn-Pond, one of the founders of the Khmer Magic Music Bus and the Cambodian Living Art. He says that his ability to play music saved him as a young boy during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. His master was killed by the soldiers of the Khmer Rouge and was forced to play propaganda music. Many other musicians were not as lucky as Arn, with a lot of master musicians and their students killed as the Khmer Rouge tried to take Cambodia back to “year zero�. This resulted in lots of traditional art forms almost being lost in history as three millions Cambodians were killed over the four years that they controlled the country.
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Khmer Magic Music Bus musicians perform for a group of children, whose primary school, located on the outskirts of Kampong Thom Province, is to play host to the evenings concert and festivities, January 20, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
Singers and musicians of the Khmer Magic Music Bus rehearse for the evenings performance in Kampomg Thom Province. The performers love for their art forms, as well as the pride they feel at reintroducing traditional music back to the Cambodian people is evident through the pure sense of happiness and joy they exude while working. January 20, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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A crowd of local Kampong Thom people gather to watch the Khmer Magic Music Bus performance, 20th January 2018. Despite the wet weather and delayed start, attendance numbers are excellent for the performance whereby demonstrating the significance of the event as well as the general initiative of the Khmer Magic Music Bus in the minds of the local Cambodian people. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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A group of children watch as a Khmer Magic Music Bus acrobat performs at Prammadei Primary School in Kampong Thom, 20th January 2018. Many of the children are so amazed by the performance they progressively, almost subconsciously, edged towards the stage for a better view. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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The Khmer Magic Music Bus travels to rural areas of Cambodia with master musicians who survived the Khmer Rouge period, along with their students who they have since passed their knowledge onto. Some of the instruments played by members of the Khmer Magic Music Bus include the Chapei, the Khloy, the Roneat Aek, the ThaunRumanea, the Tror So Tauch and the Kse Diev.
local primary school down the road. The kids are in awe of the musicians as they play their instruments.
The village where we join the Khmer Magic Music Bus is about a 20 minute tuk tuk ride from the Kampong Thom province. As we drive down the bumpy road we pass many wooden huts raised off the ground on stilts, some with even just ladders at the entrance. Around the corner is the big blue magic bus. The musicians had arrived the night before and had spent the night in one of these wooden huts. We meet Seyma, who is our main contact and one of the singers on the magic music bus.
The concert begins at 8:30pm and it doesn’t take long for a large crowd to gather as the musicians could be heard across the village. People dance along while others sit with smiles across their faces as they take in every performance in awe.
As part of the Khmer Magic Music Bus experience, the artists visit the local village and promote the concert by blasting music out of the van and talking to the villagers through a giant megaphone. Following this, the musicians performed at a
The concert was scheduled to start at 7pm, however rain meant that it could not start for another hour and a half. Musicians and performers are confined to one of the classrooms and onlookers huddled by the windows to take a glimpse at them practicing.
Attending the Khmer Magic Music Bus concert and seeing the connection that music creates with people makes me realise why the artists travel as far as they do. It is great to see the masters and their students continue to play music and instruments that were so close to being lost in such a dark time in Cambodia’s history. For more information and to keep up with the Khmer Magic Music Bus visit their website: http://www.magicmusicbus.org/
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Learning to be Wild: An EVP Story Written by Lilly McKenzie, Margaux Kendall and Molly Burley
Yan, the Mahout, is washing Pearl the elephant, in a small stream located in the Phnum Prech Wildlife Sanctuary. Pearl, is one of the four elephants at EVP known as the Heaven Girls. The Heaven Girls all share similar back stories. They were all removed from the wild at such a young age that they never learnt the basic skill of washing themselves. Follwing a life of harship , these elephant’s lack the basic skills to survie in the wild. As a result, the Mahouts must wash the elphants, daily. Mondulkiri Province, Senmonorom Thursday the 18th of January 2018. Photo by Ari balle-Bowness / ARGUS
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Speeding down a dirt road in a packed minivan, twenty minutes outside the small town of Sen Monorom, you come to an open field on top of a hill. Outside the window you see a stunning view of the Cambodian landscape, with rolling hills of rich red dirt and lush green valleys as far as the eye can see. When you disembark the minivan, with your bags and equipment in tow, you come across a wooden sign that reads “Elephant Valley Project”. The project is a part of the NGO, ELIE. The Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment. It is based in Mondulkiri province in Cambodia, and their aim is to improve the health and welfare of captive elephants, as well as protecting the elephant’s natural habitat and supporting the local Indigenous people and Mahouts who work with the elephants. Jack Highwood: The Man with a Vision Jack Highwood founded ELIE in 2006 and is the current Deputy Director of EVP. To fund ELIE originally, visitors rode elephants and bathed them, but this was not ideal and was still work for the elephants. This is something that had to change. In an interview with Highwood,
on January 18th 2018, he spoke of how it was important to learn about better ways to look after elephants. He said that it all started with one woman. “We had one tourist who didn’t want to ride the elephants. So we thought what the hell, this is what we do…? I taught everything I knew about elephants…. at the time I thought (it) was everything there was to know about elephants,” he said. “So we got to the river and we were like, now what do we do?” and she said “I don’t know, I don’t work with animals, let’s just stand back and watch.” From then on, the team realised they hadn’t been looking after the elephants’ best interests. Slowly over time they learned what elephants need. At first, they stopped elephant rides, but still let people bathe them, then they stopped bathing them, and eventually as ELIE grew and developed into the Elephant Valley Project, they introduced a distance rule. Visitors and volunteers have to stay approximately six meters away from the elephants. This is to ensure the elephants are happier, and it allowed the team at the project to learn more about the way an
elephant naturally behaves in the wild, it is something that Jack Highwood says he is still learning. EVP is open about its past mistakes, and it has learnt and grown from them; as Jack says, “There is like 2000 ways in how not to look after an elephant, and maybe, like, 4 good ways.” Connaugh Walsh: A Guide with Knowledge & Passion UK born Connaugh Walsh began working at EVP in 2016, as the International Ecotourism Coordinator. Walsh has an extensive history working within the environmental and animal welfare industry. He completed his study of Zoology in 2013 at Anglia Ruskin University. For the guided tours and volunteers at the Elephant Valley Project, Connaugh warmly introduces them to EVP and the project and its history; explaining their expansion and progression. “We don’t rent by providing money, this used to be farmland, so instead we provide 30 kilos of rice per month, per family, and we have 78 families that we work with,” Connaugh said. Many of these families are directly employed by the project, working in the kitchens, or with the elephants, as their Mahouts.
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Doe enjoying a wash in the river given by her care keeper otherwise known as a Mahout, Blul. Doe is unable to properly wash herself like all of the elephants here at Elephant Valley Project, due to not being able to learn how to do so themselves from the life they’ve led up until this point, so she needs the help of your to keep clean and healthy. Mondulkiri Province, Senmonorom. January 19, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Mbloin sitting down amongst the jungle of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary. Elephant Valley Project Purchased over 1500 hectares to allow the Elephants to roam free here. Mondulkiri Province, Senmonorom. January 19, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Doe reseaving a gentel creas from her Mahout Blul as they wonder around the forest looking for food. Mondulkiri Province, Senmonorom. January 19, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Mahouts & The Elephants: A Unique Bond Mahouts have a very close relationship with their elephants that spans decades. Traditionally only males would work with the animals. Often Mahouts start learning their trade as young as twelve years old. It is common for a Mahout’s family to share ownership of a single elephant. Some Mahouts care for the elephants on a rotational roster. One elephant named Doe, is under the care of three mahouts who share the workload, as she needs the Mahouts to keep a close eye on her to thwart future escape attempts, as she has run away before. Most of the Mahouts at EVP are Bunong, they are Indigenous to the region of Mondulkiri. The Bunong have very spiritual beliefs that intertwine their relationship with nature, the elephants and their livelihood. The elephants at the EVP sanctuary were previously caught from a young age and put to work. According to the Bunong people, it was always preferable to take an elephant calf from the wild, rather than breed then in captivity, because of the debt that would need to be paid to the elephant and forest spirits. These debts were paid in sacrifices of farm animals.
“An elephant calf born in captivity would cost two pigs, two chickens, two dogs, two buffalo, and two clay pots of rice wine. This is too expensive a price to pay when it is easier to go into the forest steal a calf and only need to sacrifice a couple of chickens,� said Chris Iverson, one of the guides at EVP. There are still elephants that roam the wild jungles of Cambodia and their numbers are increasing. In the past, elephants were taken from the wild and forced into manual labor roles where they were used to transport materials for the construction and tree logging industries; among others. However, thanks to modern technology and machinery, there are better options for transporting equipment in the industrialised world.
These changes are what led ELIE, solely a veterinarian team, to develop the Elephant Valley Project, a place for elephants to enjoy respite and retirement. The ten elephants that currently live there are spread over five valleys, and as it used to be farmland, this land is rented off the local Bunong people. Their strategy here is to offer scholarships to families and Mahouts so they can learn a new trade. One of the Mahouts we met was studying English to become a teacher.
Until EVP was established, Mahouts and their elephants were facing decreased employment, because of a shift in ideology towards elephants performing manual labor. This change in attitude has caused a generational ripple which has made younger people not want to take care of the family elephant. Some found themselves out of work, and unable to support themselves and their families.
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An Elephant’s Tale: Life at EVP When elephants are in captivity from a young age and strictly controlled, they do not learn the behaviours needed to keep them healthy in the wild. One of these is simply knowing how to clean or bathe themselves. The more experienced elephants at the sanctuary like Ning Wan can often be seen helping Pearl, one of the younger elephants, and Mae Nang; both are her friendly companions. The trio are affectionately referred to as “The Heaven Girls”. She teaches them behaviours like caressing, cleaning, and how to forage for food instead of taking food from their Mahouts and tourists, as well as other elephant behaviours that are observed in nature.
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One of the Heavenly Girls at Elephant Valley Project in Phnum Prech Wildlife Santuary on Thursday, January 18, 2018. Although this elephant appears to be crying, she isn’t sad. Elephants perspire from their tear ducts. This action cleans their eyes and washes out dust. Mondulkiri Province, Senmonorom Thursday the January 18, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Mahout Da leads the Heaven Girls, Mae Nang, Ning Wan and Pearl, down to the river for their morning bath at the Elephant Valley Project. Mondulkiri Province, Senmonorom. January 18, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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This helps the other elephants to better manage their new life as free roaming animals at the sanctuary. The majority of the elephants are able to dust themselves to protect themselves from sun, the elements, and insects, but bathing on the other hand, is a task that the Mahouts undertake. In the past, due to lack of exposure to their natural environment, a lot of the elephants have compromised immune systems. This causes a risk of possible infection, and requires them to receive extra supplements and vitamins and sometimes antibiotics. So the Mahouts give their elephants a weekly check up. Jack, and his team are not the only people here at EVP. Five days a week tourists travel to EVP from all over the globe. But this is not your typical safari or zoo visit. EVP give their guests the opportunity to learn a wealth of knowledge about elephants, assist in care taking, and general DIY jobs around the sanctuary, of course guests also get the opportunity to see the elephants. If you want to know more or get involved, please visit their website at: http://www.elephantvalleyproject.org
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She Matters
Written by Ari-Balle-Bowness and Lily Mckenzie
A collection of toys arranged as they were found at She Rescue Home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At the She Rescue home girls under 16 who have been trafficked, prostituted, raped or are at risk are given a place of safety, belonging, and a sense of family. Jaunuary 8, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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“Sometimes it takes time, depending on which case and which girl. Some of the girls straight away may be open to sharing...others we may give them some time and make them feel like they’re free; free to speak and discuss to us. This alone requires time for us to handle the situation.” These are the words of one of the councillors at She Rescue, in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. “Handle the situation.” When one thinks of child-sex trafficking or child-exploitation, handling the situation may seem like an impossible task. The shameful truth is that young girls are being raped, prostituted and sold to sex-traffickers in every corner of society. The industry does not discriminate against nationality, race, region, or past hardship, all things being true for the nation of Cambodia.
Cambodia, a place or prosperity and fruition throughout the 1950s and 60s, plunged in to dismay by the brutal Khmer Rouge. The underbelly of prostitution is nothing new to Cambodia. The United Nations Office of Drug and Crime reported that, “Cambodia was once the sex-tourism destination of the world” and that prostitution was a booming industry throughout the 90s. However over the years, law enforcements have attempted to combat this business by introducing task forces, stricter laws, and harsher penalties. But, Newton’s Third Law of Physics states that ‘Every action has an opposite and equal reaction.’ The industry evolved. Away from the classic brothels you
would find in the heart of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, or Svay Pak. Sexual exploitation has taken on a different form. In 2013, the UN reported that the industry lives on through underground movements. “Away from the cities, women and children are being trafficked from rural areas.” Families are selling their daughters to sex traders and street-kids are being exposed to begging, abuse, and sexual exploitation. Although this sickness may seem incurable, you will find some organisations attempting to cure this plague. She Rescue is one such organisation, providing support service to young girls who have been sexually exploited in the city of Phnom Penh and the surrounding regions.
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House mother, plays with the daughter of a teenager who lives at She Rescue Home in Phnom Penh on January 8, 2018. She Rescue employs Cambodian women to act as house mothers to provide a sense of family to girls under 16 who have been the victims of trafficking, prostitution or rape. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
Husband and wife sit in their family home ready to share tea with QCA students who have come to meet them in north-west Phnom Penh. The familie’s youngest daughter, now sixteen, was removed from her family at the age of ten after she was sexually exploited. She Rescue Home provided a safe haven for her, for two years before she returned to her family. January 9, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Nicola the English teacher is telling her students to pay attention. Girls at She Rescue receive literacy lessons 6 days a week. January 8, 2018. Photo by Ari Balle-Bowness / ARGUS
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As she leaves for school, 16 year old, stands in the doorway of her home north-west of Phnom Penh. As a victim of sexual exploitation, She lived in the She Rescue Home in Phnomh Penh for two years before returning to her family. She Rescue continues to check-up on the family for up to three years after the girls leave their care. January 9, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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A registered NGO, She Rescue supports young girls who have been removed from their communities. Working with child-protection services, they bring the victims to their Girls Home. The Home is a place where the girls are given the opportunity learn, receive counselling, a stable diet, safety, and above all, the chance to be kids again. Housing up to 25 at a time, She Rescue gives them the ability to grow and further their education. Many of the girls attend public school 6 days a week, until 11:00 am. They also receive half-hour English reading lessons with volunteer teachers, Lana and Nicola. Lana and Nicola are from Australia and have come to Cambodia through their respected Citipointe Churches. Education does not finish there, She Rescue provides daily Khmer lessons and English writing classes, as well as vocational training. Over the years, some girls have expressed interest in furthering a career in sewing. She Rescue attempted to nurture such interest by opening their sewing centre. At the centre, girls are given the skills to craft an array of products such as; shirts, pillows, bags, and headbands, which are sold across Australia, Cambodia, and The United States. This social enterprise stretches beyond the sewing centre and girls from the home. She Rescue also provide a Family Assistance Program for many of the families affected by child exploitation, giving them the opportunity to work at the
centre, or from their homes. This is the case for one family in Phnom Penh. For the their safety, we cannot use their names. We will refer to them as the Smiths. The Smiths live in a small village outside of Phnom Penh. Their only daughter, aged 16, was taken to the Girls Home when she was ten, after being sexually-exploited. The girl was nine years-old, and spent two years at the home before being reintroduced to her family. Reintegration is the key objective of the NGO. Once a child is rehabilitated and the family home is stable, girls are encouraged to move home. When someone is reintroduced, their case is not closed. She Rescue continues to check-up on them every month for the following three years. In the case of the Smiths, their case was closed over three years ago. Though the girl’s mother is still employed by the Family Assistance Program to make pillows, She Rescue is still able to support the family.
the Smith’s son was killed in a motorcycle accident 2 months ago. The family wept as they told reporters of their son’s tragic accident, the loss of their income, and their desperate attempt to stay-afloat. The unmistakable look of pain was clear on all their faces, as all eyes around the table ran with tears. She Rescue’s social enterprise is now their only source of income. Mrs Smith spends her days crafting pillowcases, shirts and other assorted garments which are then sold to She Rescue. She Rescue is now pursuing options to employ the Smith’s youngest son in their sewing centre. They are also assessing the possibility of reclaiming the Smith’s Tuk-Tuk from the catering company.
Before their daughter returned home, their (The Smiths) neighbours found out the reason for her absence. This resulted in the Smiths being ostracised and forced to leave. She Rescue then assisted in the relocation of the family. They now reside on the opposite side of Phnom Penh, escaping the community shame. Their new life has not been easy. The girl’s father was a Tuk-Tuk driver, but his vehicle was taken away 2 months ago to settle a debt. The debt was to a local catering business, which provided a service of food for their eldest son’s funeral. Sadly,
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Success from New Hope Written by J.O’Reilly and Kathy Foster
Young girl relaxes calmly as her hair is stroked as part of the Heart Touch project at NHCC. Heart Touch volunteers customise their massage to each child. Each child is first made to feel comfortable as they lie down. They usually share a few words and as the practitioner assesses the needs for the child they individualise the work they do for each child. January 9, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Calm and composed, teacher aide, Lyda moves through the classroom at the New Hope for Cambodian Children school attending to the children as she is needed. She acknowledges the children as they gently touch her leg or a glance in her direction. She is familiar with the school and with the children as she was once one of them, having been rescued after both her parents died and she was shunned by her village community. Lyda is one of the success stories from New Hope Cambodian Children Orphanage. Now 24, she was ten when she arrived at NHCC. She was gravely ill but fortunately was a perfect fit for the support provided by NHCC. She had not attended school beforehand and found it difficult at first to settle in as it was so different from her previous life. She progressed through school to year 12 and then sat a standardised exam to gain access to tertiary education.
Her aim is to teach as a teacher herself oneday, not just a teacher’s aide. NHCC financially supported her and provided housing during her study at PSE. A French Non Government Organisation provides the training and education to prepare young people for a variety of careers, however Lyda would have to move to Phnom Penh. Overwhelmed by the city and the challenge of finding employment she found it hard to survive after she completed her training. True to their word of providing a home for life, Lyda was able to contact Kathy and John Tucker from NHCC to ask for help. They offered her a job at the school where she now works in the grade three class. Her working conditions include her accommodation and food, with the added benefit of being surrounded by what she knows and feels comfortable with.
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Children from the New Hope for Cambodia Children receive massage from volunteers from the Heart Touch project. In 2016 there were 3,600 Cambodian children identified as being HIV infected in and receiving Antiretroviral therapy. These numbers are dropping dramatically with less than 100 children being newly infected or recognised as infected in 2016. January 9, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
Young boy receives massage and touch from a Heart Touch volunteer at the New Hope for Cambodian Children orphanage. The Heart Touch NGO project have worked extensively with HIV and AIDS patients in the USA since the mid-1990s and have intimate knowledge and training to work with affected children and adults. They view their annual visit to Cambodia as one of their most worthwhile projects. January 9, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Child relaxes as his head and neck are massaged by Heart Touch volunteer at New Hope for Cambodia Children orphanage. Heart Touch work with medically fragile and vulnerable communities to provide therapeutic touch. In Cambodia the work they do with children replicates the work that they do in America where they provide ongoing compassionate touch and massage to HIV infected peoples as well as the elderly and critically ill adults and children. January 9, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Another success story from NHCC is a 24 years old man named Lorn Chivoarn, who was born in Kam-pong Thom Province. He came to NHCC when he was 6 years old and his brother was 2 years old. Both of his parents had died from HIV related illnesses, leaving Chivoarn and his brother orphaned. Chivoarn is a successful graduate from the NHCC schools and now works as a teacher’s aid, assisting the year one students. This is a remarkable achievement as Chivoarn not only lives with HIV but is also on the Autism spectrum and has high functioning Asperger’s syndrome. He lives on campus in his own small home that is to built for Chivoarn’s other love of art. Chivoarn is an exceptional artist, with a passion for futuristic architecture illustrations. Using only a black pen and a ruler Chivoarn creates images that measure seven metres in width and nearly a metre in height, which could easily adorn the wall of any major corporate office building on Wall Street.
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Lorn Chivoarn, from Kampong Thom Province and graduate from New Hope for Cambodian assists a child with reading. Lorn is employed as a teachers aid for year one students at the school he graudated from. January 9, 2018. Photo Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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Child gently touches the hand of the Heart Touch volunteer as he is massaged. Heart Touch volunteers travel annually to the New Hope for Cambodian Children orphanage to provide compassionate touch and massage to the 210 HIV positive children who live in the village. January 8, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Some of his illustrations can take nearly three months to complete. He began drawing at about six years of age and he would draw on the ground near his family’s small thatched roof home in his village. He recalls his mum being very proud and always encouraging him. Ultimately these illustrations would be lost to mother nature due to wind, rain and foot traffic. Chivoarn didn’t start drawing on paper until he was nine years old after starting at NHCC. His works has been viewed and admired by many foreigners who visit NHCC, such as Bill Clinton, the former President of the USA. Recently Chivoarn showed his work to Marco Perez, a digital artist from Nike in San Francisco. Marco was so impressed with Chivoarn’s work and plans to collaborate with Chivoarn to bring his work to the USA.
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The Gift of Khmer Sight Written by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza
As the morning progresses patients that have been re-tested with the “Tumbling E” vision chart and their questions answered are processed for further testing by ophthalmologists from the UK. It’s the beginning of a very long day ahead for the Khmer Sight Foundation team. Phnom Penh, January 9, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
Although incomprehensible in Australia, an estimated 180,000 Cambodian citizens are blind and a further 10,000 Cambodians will end up losing their sight. This is purely due to a lack of medical resources and personnel, especially after the Pol Pot regime. The country only has 32 ophthalmologists and many Cambodians only earn up to $2 a day and simply cannot afford the costs involved
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to visit one. To counteract this issue, Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF) aims to support the training of future eye care Physicians and Ophthalmologists by bringing in international Ophthalmologists and surgeons to both train and help the current Cambodian nurses and nursing students. In addition to offering training,
the Khmer Sight Foundation also carries out in-field missions that provide eye care for Cambodians located out in the provinces. For the January mission, a few members of the KSF packed equipment and staff into a van and drove 2 hours south of Phnom Penh in order to reach the villages in the Samraong district of the Takéo province for vision tests or visual acuity (VAs).
At the end of the mission’s last day in the Takéo province, reading glasses have been handed out to the villagers aged 65 and over requiring them. This has led to difficult choices over the style of frames for some while for others the gratitude is shown all in their smiles and their never ending “thank you’s”. For the Khmer Sight team that sight of a huge smile is one of the most rewarding things. Takéo Province, January 12, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
During these in-field missions KSF works alongside many other medical teams to provide medical attention and health care items. Aside from low resources and staff numbers, Khmer Sight faces the difficult task of gaining the local Cambodians’ trust so that they can test their eyesight and carry out operations.
Throughout the years the trust has organically built itself, particularly once groups of people return home after their cataract surgery. The results of clear eyesight are almost immediate after a few days and word begins to spread about the work carried out by the Khmer Sight Foundation.
KSF was founded in 2015 by Sean Ngu and Dr. Kim Frumar, an Ophthalmologist from Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia. Dr. Frumar’s vision for the non- government organisation (NGO) is to train locals rather than constantly relying on international support, in order for the health care to remain and flourish in Cambodia.
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An elderly patient attempts to quell her fears by gently breathing in and out trying her best to relax as the team scurries around the theatre preparing everything for the next 20 minutes. For many people that go through with the surgery, not only is their own life changed, but that of their families as well. Phnom Penh, January 10, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
During the surgery areas of the patient’s face are cleaned and prepared, incisions are made into the cornea, as liquid collects in a bag, noises and sounds from the medical equipment echo throughout the theatre and the medical staff’s voices are muffled by the masks. Dr. Rana inserts an intra ocular lens (IOL) into a patient’s eye thus removing the cataract. January 9, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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After the 20 minutes are over Victor and Hout gently escort the patients down the stairs to the ground floor, where they wait to recover from surgery until their family members arrive to collect them. Phnom Penh, January 10, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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Victor Norris, a Canadian who frequently visits Cambodia, is one of the co-ordinators for the Khmer Sight Foundation. He assists by running the main schedule during the first day of the January mission. The medical centre’s doors are open early and ready for the overwhelming number of people who have travelled far and wide to receive help. Phnom Penh, January 9, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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These days the KSF team are quite popular with the locals however the location of their main hub is constantly changing because there is no permanent building to house the staff and equipment. During the November to January and February missions the Khmer team were fortunate enough to utilise the Metro Medical Center in Phnom Penh. Once a space for cosmetic enhancement procedures, it now harbours elderly and rural Cambodians that are brought into the clinic in the morning and moved through until the late evening for re-screening and re-testing to note the progression of their condition and finally for cataract surgery. While the current medical centre is a beautiful building perfect for their needs, it is not permanent. A new cosmetic
company will soon use the space at Metro, however Khmer Sight Foundation will move into the new medical centre appropriately named, The Khmer Sight Institute, once completed in Prek Leap, Phnom Penh. This new area will provide medical care and house patients for various health conditions. A space will also be provided to the foundation in order to carry out more surgeries and eye testing. Missions and surgeries are still being carried out today alongside well-established professionals from locations such as the United Kingdom, India, Singapore and Australia. Alongside the local team, these professionals continue to provide the gift of sight once again to those who need it most.
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Friends: More Than a Restaurant Written by Lilly McKenzie
Head Chef Saroeun (Right) getting organized and instructing her student cook (Left) in the kitchen of Friends Restaurant, located in Phnom Penh. Saroeun has worked for Friends for over 10 years and was once a student herself. Wednesday, January 10, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Down street #215 at Phnom Penh’s riverside, where the touristy bars and restaurants’ fluorescent lighting fades from view, is a restaurant unlike the others. Simple flavours shine through fresh cuisine at the tourist-dominated restaurant. Westerners love the fine dining, coupled with the cozy atmosphere and low price point, not to mention the fantastic staff. It is this staff that makes Friends so special. It is more than just a restaurant. It is one of Friends International’s Training Restaurants for Education and Entrepreneurship (TREE); one of four TREE Alliance restaurants in Cambodia. Most of the servers and cooks at Friends are finishing up to three years of vocational training through Friends International. These students come from disadvantaged backgrounds and they are often from poor families in rural areas, or even beggars in Phnom Penh. Friends International brings them to Mith Samlanh, their centre in Phnom Penh, where they enroll in vocational training. As well as cooking, Mith Samlanh also offers vocational training in beauty industries like hairdressing, nail salons, or massage therapy. When cooking students first come to Mith Samlanh, they work in the canteen, preparing lunch for underprivileged children who attend full time tutoring there. When these
students arrive, they meet Nina. She is the canteen cook and for the past nine years, every cooking student has been trained by her at Friends. Nina is a strong woman, who once told Gordon Ramsey his version of her dish was not good enough. She is warm and cheerful towards her students. Nina is not only responsible for training the new students, some of whom have never even boiled water, but she is also responsible for the entire operation of the canteen. She orders the food every week with a budget of 2,500 Riel per person, just over 50 US cents. Once students graduate from Nina’s tutelage, usually about six months into their training, they move to Romdeng, one of the TREE Alliance restaurants in Phnom Penh. From there they learn to prepare Khmer styled food for a clientele ranging from locals to expats and tourists. This usually takes one year, but some students are there for longer or shorter periods of time, depending on their skill level. Once students have surpassed the level required for Romdeng, they move to Friends. At Friends they learn to prepare more Western styled foods, including small tapas share plates. They learn fine plating skills and work with flavours that are more foreign to them. As a restaurant that caters mostly to tourists, the students learn to interact and cook for
people of different backgrounds. Behind the restaurant in Mith Samlanh they also have Khmer and English classes, for students to learn how to connect with their customers. Friends The Restaurant is the final training kitchen for students before they leave Friends International and move into professional work. Students who graduate meet with the Futures team, who find out what each student wants to do and help them find the next step on their individual journey. For some students, it is working in hotel restaurants and for others, it is opening their own small café. Whatever their dream, Futures does their best to help them achieve it. Some students who graduate never leave TREE Alliance, like Saran, Friends head chef. Previously a student, she has now been a teacher at the restaurant for ten years, where she passes on the knowledge she learned through the same program. Students from Friends have gone on to manage restaurants, or even own their own. Many of these successful students go on to hire Friends graduates, and the cycle continues. You can find out more about Friends and their partner restaurants at: http://tree-alliance.org/ourrestaurants/friends.php
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Head Chef Saroeun (Left) laughing in the Kitchen of Friends Restaurant, after hearing some jokes and friendly banter from her Sous-Chef Paearum (Right). Both Saroeun and Paearum were former students who undertook vocational training through NGO Friends International. Wednesday, January 10, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
Eggplants getting chargrilled on a burner at Friends Restaurant in Phnom Penh. According to the restaurant Manager Chaar, a lot of the produce is sourced locally from farmers just outside the city centre. Wednesday, January 10, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Nina, who has also had the opportunity to tell Gordon Ramsey off by calling him a lazy cook, has been working at Mith Samlanh canteen for the past nine years, giving the new students the best possible chance at making it in a busy restaurant. This is where it all begins for all students at Friends International’s Training Restaurants. Phnom Penh, Friday January 12, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Two students prepare the rice for lunch in the kitchen of the Mith Samlanh canteen behind Friends the restaurant in Phnom Penh on Friday January 12, 2018. Photo by Lilly McKenzie / ARGUS
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New cooking students prepare for lunch in the kitchen of the Mith Samlanh canteen behind Friends the restaurant in Phnom Penh on Friday January 12, 2018. Photo by Lilly McKenzie / ARGUS
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Off Track Schooling Written by Ari Balle-Bowness
Two students are studying hard at Khmer for Kmher Organisations English School, in Siem Reap. KKO’s school, welcome over 300 students on a daily basis, with six fulltime teachers, running 22 seperate classes six days a week. January 22, 2018. Photo by Ari Balle-Bowness / ARGUS
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Away from Angkor Wat, the gleaming lights of Pub Street and the herds of tourists which fill Siem Reap, there is a small non-government organisation (NGO) with big dreams. In this NGO there are two young men, Ruen Giit and Than Ken, spending their time in small tin-shed repairing old motorbikes and scooters. Ken and Giit are learning skills to become qualified motorbike mechanics. These young men are students at Khmer for Khmer Organisation’s (KKO’s) Vocational Training Centre. The ‘Motorbike Workshop’, which Ruen and Than attend, is one of the three education programs KKO provide. KKO is a non-government organisation based in Siem Reap, committed to giving education to the underprivileged youth of Cambodia.
Their Mission is ‘to provide free sustainable education and knowledge’, in the form of English, Motor-mechanics and Sewing training, to young people aged between of four and 25.
doors of KKOs over 8 years ago. When Markus and Pharay were developing the organization, they built everything from this vision. In 2010 they opened the doors to the school and vocational training centres.
Achieving sustainable education is layered in the foundations of their school, located on the outskirts of Siem Reap.
The Sewing Centre was designed as a place where young men and women could create their own opportunities as qualified tailors. The goal is for students to find work or establish their own businesses once graduated.
English literacy to taught to over 300 local kids by a staff of six teachers, in over 22 classes a day. Teaching sustainable education may be KKO’s mission, but their Vision is something else. KKO envision that ‘All People in Cambodia gain the power to create an opportunity for themselves and others to participate and contribute to all aspects of society.’
The eco-tourism project OFF TRACK TOURS offers tourists the opportunity to see Angkor Wat and Siem Reap in a unique way. Tourists can explore the sights on a guided motorcycle or bike tour. With all of the proceeds from OFF TRACK going directly back to the funding the school.
Co-founder, Pharay Moeum and her business partner NGO Markus Tigges, opened the
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Although it may seem KKO is plodding along at ease, Pharay explained that the business side of KKO has been doing it tough. In 2017 there were problems with funding. “Our fundraiser forgot to fundraise,” said Pharay. Normally, they received donations from a German organisation. However, last year nobody worked on fundraising, resulting in a financial gap of €16.687. To save KKO, Markus provided a sizable donation to relieve the financial pressures. Markus’ donation was able to save KKO from the monetary pressures of 2017, however, the financial stress they face during the tourism off-season is still a large concern.
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Student Than Ken prepares electrical parts in the Khmer for Khmer motorcycle mechanics training workshop in Chraeav village, Siem Reap province, Cambodia on January 22, 2018. Photo by Joshua Prieto / ARGUS
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Motorbike-Mechanic Student, Than Ken crimps a group of wires together that he will be soldering later. Than Ken, is one of the last reaming students in the workshop. He will graduate in February 2018, with a certificate in Motorbike Mechanics. After Ken has graduated, KKO will be closing their vocational programs in order to cut back on expenses. January 22, 2018. Photo by Ari Balle-Bowness / ARGUS
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To combat the problem, KKO decided to close their vocational training centres at the end of February 2018. The expense of running the sewing centre and motorbike workshop was proving too difficult to sustain. KKO want students like Ken and Giit to complete their training before closing the centres. Although this may seem grim, the founders have arranged a three-year-plan to re-open the centres. The team hope that over the next few years, off-track accessories will make enough profit to fund the sewing centre and the motorbike workshop. Phary was optimistic that in the future KKO will not have to rely on the charity of others. If you would like to get involved, visit Khmer for Khmer Organisations website at: https://kko-cambodia.org
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Taking a break from Engish lessons, boys at play concentrate on their marble skills at Khmer for Khmer Organisation (KKO) school outside Siem Reap. KKO provides free and sustainable education for children and young adults from Siem Reap and seven surrounding villages on January 23, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Canvas and Colour Writen by Margaux Kendall
A selection of artwork on the 2nd floor of Romcheik 5 Gallery. The Gallery is spread across 3 levels. January 22, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Battambang has a rich cultural and artistic history. Situated southwest of Siem Reap, it is the second largest city in Cambodia. Battambang is home to various art galleries that exhibit the work of local painters, sculptors and photographers. Two such galleries that are frequented by tourists and locals are Romcheik 5 and Tep Kao Sol. Both galleries are independently owned and managed. Romcheik 5 is located just outside the city centre and is named after the neighbourhood that the gallery resides in. The four artists who live and work there have faced many personal challenges, such as disadvantaged childhood, unemployment and overcoming addiction. The gallery opened its doors in 2012 and exhibits the work of these talented and committed artists. The artists’ sole source of income is provided from the sale of their artwork. The gallery is currently expanding,
with a second building being constructed on site to house a permanent collection of all of the artists’ work. 24-year-old artist from Banteay Meanchey province, Nget Chanpenh is one of the four artists that live and work at Romcheik 5. In August 2017, Chanpenh had an exhibition at Meta House in Phnom Pehn. His series Waiting for the Ice to Melt explores his journey into the downward spiral of his methamphetamine or “ice” addiction. The gallery is spread across 3 levels and displays a plethora of work with a mix of paintings, sculptures and photographic pieces. The artists’ long-time supporter and mentor, Alain Troulet often gives tours of the gallery. Troulet first met the artists in 2012, when he saw them working as street artists. Ever since then, he encourages and supports the four men with the day to day organization of the gallery.
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There is definitely no shortage of artistic talent in Battambang. Tep Kao Sol is owned and managed by artist Loeum Lorn. Lorn has worked as a photographer and painter since 2000. His most famous work is his collection of “ice paintings”. The work was created by pouring paint or ink pigments over large blocks of ice that had started to melt. This resulted in a fusion of paint, ink and water, mixing and merging together in a delicate dance. Tep Kao Sol roughly translates to ‘talent from nature’. It is a Khmer saying that means someone’s talents or gifts are bestowed upon them at birth. Loeum Lorn is well known within the arts community and has exhibited across Cambodia in Battambang, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and also internationally in France. Another artist who has work featured at Tep Kao Sol is Long Kosal. His intricate work brings to mind surrealist and cubist artists from the 1920s. The gallery is open until 9pm each day.
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If you want to be immersed in art after the galleries close, you can always head over to the Riverside night markets in Battambang. If you are lucky you will come across Albert Tarrago, an artist from Barcelona who spends his summers in Cambodia to escape the winter. Tarrago has worked as a graphic novel artist and painter for over 30 years, despite not having any formal arts training. He has worked all over southeast Asia. While he draws and sells caricatures at the night markets, he also produces beautifully detailed realism paintings, akin to the skill of masters like Jan Vermeer. It is really easy to see why an artist would want to base themselves in Battambang. With its relaxed atmosphere, friendly faces and idyllic scenery, it is the perfect place to be inspired. There is no shortage of beauty in this town, in the countryside surrounding it and most importantly it’s eclectic array of passionate and inspired artists.
The equipment Albert Tarrago uses to create his unique and comedic caricatures He has had no formal training, but this has not stopped him from having two successful solo exhibitions in Paris. Battambang, Sunday, January 21, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Hour Seya leans over his canvas in his studio at Romcheik 5, deep in thought as he paints yet another painting. He has previously stated that he uses a rich colour pallet to represent emotions. He began painting at the age of 15 when he got art lessons in Battambang with the help of a non-governmental organization. January 22, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
Spanish artist Albert Tarrago draws a caricature at the Riverside Night Markets in Battambang. He has previously worked for over thirty years as a Graphic Novel Artist and Illustrator. Albert likes to spend his summers in Asia and has come to Battambang for the last two years. January 21, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Nget Chanpenh is hard at work in his Studio. He is a dedicated artist with a natural ability to create immersive and poweful narratives in his work. Chanpenh had a solo exhibition last August in Phnom Penh. January 22, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Painter Long Kosal sits at the back of Tep Kao Sol Gallery in Battambang. He is currently working on finishing his series to have them completed for an upcoming exhibition in Paris. His style of painting looks very similar to genres like Cubism or Surrealism, and his use of colour really makes his paintings stand out. January 22, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Mil Chankrim standing in his doorway to his villa on site at Romcheik 5 Art Gallery. He lives here with his wife Chankrim is one of the four artists who work at Romcheik 5. Chankrim was born in April 1991 in Banteay Meanchey Province and began studying at Phare Ponleu Selpak in 2006. Monday, January 22, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
Artist Bor Hak sits next to his wooden hand carved sculptures that he makes at Romcheik 5. Romcheik 5 is an art gallery located just outside of the city centre of Battambang, Cambodia. Hak is one of four artists living and working at the gallery. Hak was born in October 1990 in Kompong Thom Province. He began studying Art at Phare Ponleu Selpak in 2005 and graduated in 2010. January 22, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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Sewing for Success
Written by Jennifer Colverson and Deb Harrip
Sewing Machines are given as graduation gifts to the young women who graduate from the Life and Hope sewing school run by the monks of Wat Damnak. Siem Reap, January 26, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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The monks of Wat Damnak believe that at the root of all suffering is ignorance, and that loving care and a good education can provide a way out of poverty. Living the philosophy of these words, in 2005 the monks established an educationfocused, non-profit, NGO, Life and Hope (LHA) that brings hope to the live of hundreds of young women, and families. Through its projects, LHA aims to meet the direct needs of the individuals and communities to provide information that can guide the youth of Cambodia into a future of awareness – from health and lifestyle to social responsibilities and rights. In conjunction with the Park Hyatt Siem Reap, one of the initiatives of LHA, is a Sewing School which has been teaching sewing skills to young, disadvantaged Cambodian women since 2006. The purpose of this project is to provide women with a viable opportunity to break the poverty cycle and build a better future for themselves, their families and communities.
the sewing school, we were privileged to spend some time interviewing LHA Executive Director, Venerable, Lorm Louerm, who has been a monk for the past twenty-one years. On meeting Loeurm, you’re immediately struck by the kindness in his eyes and the wisdom of his smile. Coming from a very poor family with ten siblings, Ven. Lourem is openly thankful for being a monk which has granted him the opportunity to complete a bachelor of business management and commence a masters in business administration that he might otherwise not have had access to. He offers us his wisdom in a poetic style as he shares his thoughts on religion and education with us. It is clearly evident that his life’s work is paying forward the path to education that can change the world. His guiding principal is ‘Life plus hope equals change but life plus hope plus education equals greater change.’
The sewing school provides eight months of comprehensive training and on completion each student is given a sewing machine and a small starterpack to begin their new life with their new skills.
Ven. Lourem is understandably proud of the graduates today and pleased with their sewing skills. The time spent at LHA Sewing School has also provided them with the opportunity of learning Khmer literature, English, culture, tradition, basic small business skills, Buddhist morality, social awareness and life skills.
With a special invitation to attend the thirteenth Graduation ceremony of
Seated in the purpose built sewing centre, funded by The Park Hyatt hotel, the nineteen
girls sit quietly waiting for the ceremony to begin. Each girl looks resplendent in a blue silk skirt and white lace blouse that they proudly made themselves. Beginning with the singing with a prayer as the monks, teachers and proud family members watch on, the hour-long ceremony formally acknowledges and the success of each student in the graduating class. Gold framed certificates and a letter of recommendation from the Manager of The Park Hyatt Siem Reap are presented to the students before the informal celebrations commence. For further information on Life and Hope sewing program and their other initiatives can be found at: http://lifeandhopeangkor.org
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Venerable Lorm Loeurm presides over the 13th Graduation class of the Life and Hope Association Sewing School at Wat Damnak. In conjunction with the Park Hyatt Siem Reap, the LHA Sewing School has been teaching sewing skills to young, disadvantaged Cambodian women since 2006. The purpose of this project is to provide women with a viable opportunity to break the poverty cycle and build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. Siem Reap, January 26, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Family and friends enjoy the13th Annual Graduation ceremony of the Life and Hope Sewing School. In conjunction with the Park Hyatt Siem Reap, LHA Sewing School has been teaching sewing skills to young, disadvantaged Cambodian women since 2006. Siem Reap, January, 26 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Teenagae girl accepts her Graduation Certificate at the 13th Annual Graduation Ceremony of the Life and Hope Association Sewing School. The LHA Sewing School, run by the monks of Wat Damnak, has been teaching sewing skills to young, disadvantaged Cambodian women since 2006. The purpose of this project is to provide women with a viable opportunity to break the poverty cycle and build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. Siem Reap, January 26, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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Zero Waste Fashion Written by Kathy Foster
Rachel Faller, the founder of TonlĂŠ, shares her vision for the future of her company. Rachel came to Cambodia in 2007 and was inspired by the local artisans who were trying to practice fair trade principles and to do things in a more sustainable way. Travelling to and from the country to research, she eventually moved to Cambodia to start her first label in 2008. The business started small with women working from home, but in 2014 it was restructured and rebranded and the zero waste mission began. January 31, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Tonlé, a zero-waste ethical fashion brand, is located in a large decorative home in a quiet suburban street of Phnom Penh. If you did not see the big sign outside the building, it would be easy to believe that this was just another large house on a quiet street. Walk inside and you are quickly aware that this is not a normal ‘factory’. There is laughter and a sense of community as women around the room are engaged in a variety of tasks including knitting, ironing and sewing. The brainchild of Tonlé, Rachel Faller, tells us that Tonlé started “really scrappy” to a structured company that now aims every day to embrace their zero waste mission. When she first started out, she found it hard to source local sustainable materials, but after visiting Cambodian markets Rachel discovered that waste fabric coming from the large garment factories was
being resold there. She began to incorporate some of those waste fabrics into the designs and over time each piece of fabric was applied to the zero waste mission. Large scraps are used for t-shirts, dresses and skirts and smaller pieces are cut into strips and turned into yarn which is then knitted into clothing pieces. Even tinier scraps are turned into paper. “We make an effort to use every single scrap that comes out of our production, and we’re also recycling the waste of others.” Large pieces of fabric are dyed and or printed to make the easy-to-wear clothing that is designed to be transferable from different types of the day and different occasions. The aim is to have clothing that is easy to wash and take care of, stylish, but functional and fun and quirky.
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Rachel is also committed to providing jobs for those people who are marginalised within the community. Her workforce is made of women who are less fortunate, including young single mothers and older women who are looking for work. They talk about the advantages of working at Tonlé. They are trained to do new jobs and everyone is treated equally and fairly. They are taught about the quality of fabrics and how to best sew them. All the workers are valued. Rachel talks about the sense of community that exists among the workers. She says it is very important that “they enjoy coming to work, that it’s like their second family… and to me that’s, like, the most special thing because it’s like all these women together as a team have built that.” Staff work good hours. A factory worker needs to work 16 hours a day to get a decent salary, however at Tonlé staff work eight hour days for six days a week. They start with a minimum wage but are also paid a per piece rate which is above
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and beyond the minimum wage, meaning that staff get paid much more than an average factory worker. If staff want to earn more, they are offered training and support to help to get where they want to be. The current company began in 2014 with the zero waste mission. As it moves forward, Rachel has two main aims. The first is to make the business model successful. She wants to make sure “that this business continues to be sustainable and to continue to grow in such a way that at least we can ensure the future sustainability of it.” The second goal is to explore the ways that they can work with existing organisations to incorporate their waste into creating new collections around the waste they are already generating.“I’d love to see if we can kind of replicate that model and help reduce waste in other aspects of the industry.” Further information at: https://tonle.com/
Hy makes a dress at the TonlĂŠ workplace in Phnom Penh. Staff at TonlĂŠ are treated much better than those at factories in Cambodia. They work set hours and earn extra money from each piece that they make, meaning that they receive a decent salary for the time they put in. January 31, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Srey irons items that come from each of the machinists as it is required. Behind her, machinists work at sewing machines that are placed around a communal table where others are engaged in knitting, hand sewing or discussion about how better to complete a task. January 31, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Dara , Alice and Emily work together to discuss how to best assemble a particular item of clothing they are making for the a new range at TonlĂŠ. Each piece of clothing goes through a process of quality control to ensure that it achieves the high standards required of a boutique range of clothing. January 31, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Kang cuts out an item to be sent to the machinists. Cutters can work on many different clothing items and very different fabrics that may vary from light silks to heavy cotton that is made into coats and jackets. All designs are based on accessibility to materials that are discarded and recycled from other factories to ensure the zero waste mission is adhered to. January 31, 2018. Photo by Kathy Foster / ARGUS
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Savongs School
Written by Dylan Crawford and Jake Day
Students arrive early at Savong’s School for their day of education on January 25, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford /ARGUS
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Savong’s school is situated outside the major city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. A school where local underprivileged children from rural villages can learn the English language and gain valuable life experience free of charge. The hope is that these classes will help the children lift themselves out of poverty and into a more productive role in society. The students that attend these classes are bright and cheerful, often smiling and practicing impressive English for their age. Opening a school to educate the next generation of Cambodians has been Svay Savong’s lifelong dream. Coming from disadvantaged circumstances he spent most of his childhood begging and uneducated. His circumstance fuelling his ambition is to see that other children don’t end up in the same position. Savong was educated while studying Buddhism to become a monk, following his father’s footsteps. Though after several years, he decided that it wasn’t his calling
and left to chase after his goal to be an educator. He started by turning a portion of his father’s home into a classroom, where in time he would eventually have up to 90 students under his tutelage. Eventually he gained the notice of international donors that provided him with enough funds to begin building his school. Through the opportunities that Savong has provided for the students in the past decade, over a hundred people have graduated from tertiary studies. This is a impressive accomplishment considering the lack of openings that the local farmers could have had for their children without the school. His school has offered scholarships to students that have shown promise and commitment to higher learning, paying for everything from food and tuition fees to transport and accommodation. The school encourages current students to attempt to earn this privilege by pushing themselves to achieve greater things.
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Fieyok, 10, practices writing in English at Sevong’s School on January 25, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS.
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A student sweeps the courtyard of Savong’s School to ensure that the campus is clean on the January 25, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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The school has unfortunately lost many of its supporters in recent years, resulting in a decline of students, teachers and classrooms. Savong has been doing his best to keep this center of learning above water, using his own profits that he earns at his real estate company. The largest donator was Duncan Stuad, a New Zealand man that Savong met when he was young. Mr. Stuart gathered funds from several locals in New Zealand and transferred them towards the school. Recently however, Duncan has retired and developed Parkinson’s disease, unable to keep up his fundraising and in need of assistance for his own ailments.
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Vann Ta listens attentively during English class at Sevong’s School on January 25, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS
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This student recites what her teacher has written on the whiteboard during english class on January 25, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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The school accommodates a library, computer lab and several classrooms. But the state of these learning spaces are in poor condition. The computer lab only has a hand full of working machines, with several broken CPU’s and monitors found in the corner of the room. The library has an abundance of books but many are very advanced or in many foreign languages. No doubt donated with good will but unsuitable for young children who learn English as a second language. Multiple classrooms remain neglected and empty due to the lack of students and teachers: two out of the five have been used more as storage in recent time. A soccer field is located behind the school and is basically uneven dirt with some grass, played on by children with nothing but a flat soccer ball and goals without nets. In just a short while of walking around the school it’s clear that many budget cuts have had an impact on the conditions of the facilities and quality of education. Teachers have been paid increasingly less and as a result, staff with less experience have been hired. Several maintenance issues have not been addressed, such as the roof of the main building having multiple leaks and the sole bathroom block remaining only partially completed after renovations. Further information at: www.savong.com
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Empowering Future Leaders for Tomorrow Written by Deb Harrip and Jen Colverson
Education is nothing without developmental growth through group activities such as games. The main task is to maintain the two rolls of masking tape balanced from each member’s pen tip. Whichever group is the first to go from crouching to standing without dropping the rolls wins. A raucous of laughter and nerves yells is evident throughout the classroom leaving everyone on a competitive edge. Siem Reap Province January 18, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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How do we inspire Cambodian youth to become future leaders? By empowering students to enrol in one of the educational initiatives run by Pepy, an organisation committed to empowering Cambodia’s youth in readiness for the future. The Pepy concept was formulated in 2004 when two Americans were planning a cycling tour across Cambodia to raise funds to contribute to educational programs. In 2005, after raising funds to support a school-building project alongside American Assistance for Cambodia, they arrived in Cambodia to discovered that the school, which was intended for over 500 students, was standing nearly empty bar for a couple of teachers. Upon realising that it is people that teach children, not schools, they started to invest heavily in individuals who were focused and motivated to inspire children.
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Irish voulnteer teacher shares a joke with his class during English lessons at PEPY Empowering Youth Learning Centre, Kok Chok district, Siem Reap on January 18, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
PEPY’s Program Manager Duth Kimsru joins in with the student’s learning activities at the school. The classes are anything but boring, fun and games are a wonderful way to get all the students involved. While there’s plenty of laughter and smiles, Kimsru’s job is filled with stresses with funding for scholarships and the student’s general welfare and progression. January 18, 2018. Photo by Alexandra Gonzalez-Mendoza / ARGUS
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In 2014, Phonn Soury received a Pepy scholarship and is currently in her second year of studies at Passasasastra University in Siem Reap. Soury started working at Pepy in September 2017 as a teacher to inspire others that they too can achieve their dreams. Soury heads of to Ireland in March as part of an exchange program. January 18, 2018. Photo by Debra Harrip / ARGUS
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Pepy programs have now expanded beyond environmental education and library projects to focusing on various youth leadership programs that enhance employment capabilities and give students based in rural provinces hope for their futures. In 2013, Pepy commenced the Dreams in High Schools project; one of three current projects implemented. This project provides high school students with inspiration, optimism and encouragement to improve their current situation by opening up opportunities with Pepy. Pepy offers scholarships, which cover four-years of tuition for students wishing to enter a university program. The first year of attendance is at the Pepy Learning Centre in Siem
Reap, where motivated students attend the Centre for seven hours a day learning English, computer studies, art, sport and vital life skills to prepare them for university life. In January 2015, Pepy transitioned from being a US based organisation to a Cambodian registered Non Government Organisation and the Pepy’s student success rate is overwhelming. In 2017, Pepy celebrated the successful achievements of 37 students, who were taught by twelve staff members, with six of these being previous students of Pepy who were recipients of scholarships. The former students have returned to work at Pepy as they want to give something back and encourage students that they too can be high achievers.
A teenage girl at Kralanh High School, 60 km north of Siem Reap, works on a team challenge with her Dream Class peers. The Dream Class run by PEPY focuses on encouraging students to have a dream and work towards making that dream come to fruition, by utilising the PEPY scholarships for learning available to them. January 18, 2018. Photo by Jennifer Colverson / ARGUS
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One former student, Phonn Soury received a Pepy scholarship and is currently in her second year of studies at Pannasastra University in Siem Reap. Soury started working at Pepy in September 2017 as a teacher to inspire others to achieve their dreams. Soury wants to be the best possible teacher. Soury travelled to Ireland in March as part of an exchange program with another student. She was accompanied by two teachers to teach, to share their stories and learn about Irish curriculum as part of a program with Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School (DPETNS).
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Among Pepy’s dynamic staff is Pepy’s Project Manager, Kimsru Duth, who recently completed her Masters in International Development, Environment and Conflict at Dublin City University. Kimsru is the first Cambodian women to complete her Masters in Ireland. Pepy keeps powering forward by providing students with aspirations and education to sustain hopeful opportunities. Further information at: http://www. pepyempoweringyouth.org
Pepy students at Kralanh Districts having a group interaction to see if they are the fastest to lift tape. January 18, 2018. Photo by Debra Harrip / ARGUS
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Kampuchea Balopp Written by Jack Harts
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Coach, KEO Soknov, cheers as one of the girls defeats her defender during a training drill in Northern Phnom Penh. Kampuchea Balopp aims to include everyone in the game of Rugby, no matter their age, gender or physical and mental ability. They believe Rugby is for everyone. January 11, 2018. Photo by Jack Harts / ARGUS
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A commendable run is made by a female player during a training game, and while an opposing team member valiantly attempted to tackle her it was not enough to bring her down. Giving the girls the opportunity to play against each other allows them to enjoy the game a lot more and allows them to weigh the prospects of taking their rugby careers to new heights. January 11, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart/ ARGUS
Soknov demonstrates ball passing to one of the boys in the youngest group at a ground in Northern Phnom Penh, 11th January 2018. When Soknov was asked about her role at Kampuchea Balopp she replied saying, “I take high responsibility with the role of educator and share all my experiences to children and make rugby as known as football�. January 11, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart/ ARGUS
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Phorn discusses the upcoming training drill with two boys at the PSE school. Speaking proudly of his role at Kampuchea Blopp, Phron notes that he is “so happy to be a sports teacher, there is not that many people in Cambodia who have the chance to do that job�. January 10, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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Coach, Ra, watches on as the boys go through a running and tackling drill at the PSE school. Ra believes in the significance of coaching and child development through rugby as “rugby is a sport which teaches the children to face their own fears, and it will help them to earn self confidence�. January 10, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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Training up to 600 children on a weekly basis, Kampuchea Balopp and it’s coaches provide not only the basic rules and understanding of Rugby Union but also teach kids social skills, values of mutual respect, teamwork, responsibility, confidence, health and nutrition and gender equality. Kampuchea Balopp hopes to increase this number to 1500 by the end of this year. The coaches or “Educator Team,” as Kampuchea Balopp calls them, consists of four coaches and a head coach. The four coaches are all Cambodian born and have come from an under privileged upbringing. The three male coaches, Ra, Khemara and Phorn all lived and discovered rugby together growing at Enfants d’Asie orphanage. Ra and Khemara have both represented the Cambodian Rugby Sevens team
and also play in a 15 a side team with Phorn. Soknov, the only female coach, discovered Rugby at the age of 10 while she was living and studying at PSE – Pour un Sourire d’Enfant. Before attending PSE, Soknov told me she was one of the dump kids, the children that sift through the rubbish at the dump to try and find food as well as things to sell. She credits PSE and Kampuchea Balopp for turning her and her families life around and giving her many opportunities. Jean-Baptiste and Kampuchea Balopp say, “Rugby is like no other sport. It is not great, it is not a past-time, it is a brief, awe-inspiring conflagration where no one man is a hero. The essence of rugby is the team. The honour and skills inherent in working as a team are some of the best that can be taught to children”. Training consists of
running, passing and tackling drills, then a combination of all three, to end with a short game at the end to put what they had learnt into practice. Kampuchea Balopp work alongside 11 other NGO’s and Associations, as well as three Schools. Each week Kampuchea Balopp and the coaches spend anywhere from one to two hours teaching, training and mentoring the kids from theses NGO’s and schools. Training includes mixing boys and girls together and some with just females. The highlight of the training was visiting an NGO with Soknov. Here, Soknov taught and trained kids that suffered from a range of mental disabilities.
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In Northern Phnom Penh, players and coaches huddle at the end of training to discuss what was has been learnt and end the session with a cheer. The coaches at Kampuchea Balopp believe it’s important to connect on a personal level with the children and become role models for them, as they have all been through the struggles faced by many of these children. January 11, 2018. Photo by Jack Hart / ARGUS
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Massive smiles were evident on every face and they all participated in the modified drills while music played in the background. Seeing a sport like Rugby Union thrive and start to become successful in a country like Cambodia was great to see. The passion that the coaches have for the games is infec-tious and this can be seen in the way that the kid participate in the training. Everything is done with a smile and a laugh and Kampuchea Balopp makes sure Rugby is fun every session. For more information and to get in contact with Kampuchea Balopp visit their website http://www.kampuchearugby. com/
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A Fret Above The Rest Written by Molly Burley
A Guitar belonging to the band Doch Chkae hangs on the wall in the Rehearsal Room at Mother’s Against Poverty Cambodia Organization Property in Kandal Province, Phnom Penh. Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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After meeting Vartey Ganvia in person for the first time, it is clear that she is a woman of many talents. She is the only female punk rocker in Cambodia and her passion for punk rock and what she believes in is shown through the strength and power of her lyrics. “I sing songs about how woman need to be strong”. Said Vartey. Vartey shows fellow Cambodians her stance on feminist and environmentalist issues worldwide through her songs. This gives people something more to listen to than just love songs and the same old pop songs. Varety says her parents questioned her interest in music and asked why she sang like that. They were scared that she might hurt her voice, however Varety said, “It’s punk and I want to do what I want to do”. This strength and fearlessness that emanates from Vartey does not come from anywhere. It would seem she was almost destined to become a Punk musician. “My name means powerful, and like something nasty…like my punk music,” Vartey says.
The majority of music that Yab Moung produces is very genre specific to heavy metal and punk music. Manager of Yab Moung Records and the signed musicians including Varety, Timon Seibel is a wealth of knowledge in the industry. Timon is of Swiss descent and has lived in Cambodia since 2011. He helped young Cambodians to establish Yab Moung Records in 2016. One of the bands signed to Yab Moung Records, Doch Chkae is a five piece heavy metal band. Timon says that the band is having a meeting and recording session next week and invites us to attend. From Tuk-tuk rides to boat rides we make our way over to see the young band Doch Chkae. We meet a man of many talents called Danzo, a British ex-pat who has been living in Cambodia for the last 2 years. Danzo owns the Tuktuk that transported us across the Kandal Province. This was a little peculiar to us and locals, as it is unusual for an ex-pat to own a tuk-tuk in Cambodia.
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The band Vartey Ganiva rehearse every Wednesday above a quant little bar called Cloud. The band members from left to right,Vichey Sok (Guitar), Vartey Ganiva (singer), Danzo (Bass) and Sophea (Drums) always enjoy and take rehearsal seriously. January 10, 2018. Photo By Molly Burley / ARGUS
Vartey Ganiva passionately sings into the microphone at rehearsal with her band “Vartey Ganiva� in the up stairs room of cloud on Wednesday. January 09, 2018. Photo By Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Theara Ouch drips in sweat from recording the drums for Doch Chkae’s first album due to be released in the next few months. The drum recordings are being done at their manager Timon Seibel’s house in Kendal Province. January 15, 2018. Photo By Molly Burley / ARGUS
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Show Box, the place where Yab Moung Recoreds started is a bar that does free beer every day from 6:30 - 7:00 pm. As well as doubling as the communities art-hub for khmer and expats alike. January 09, 2018. Photo By Molly Burley / ARGUS
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When we first meet the boys from Doch Chkae, it is clear that these boys started playing heavy metal for their own wellbeing and education. Lead vocalist, Theara Ouch played a video of them from more than two years ago on YouTube. In the video, it showed a little Khmer boy belting out raw passion through deep vocals unheard of by any grown adult. We realised that it was Theara, who was standing right next to us, that was in the video and he was very excited to be showing us his work. On the day of recording, we make our way across the Mekong River once more by boat. When we arrive at the recording studio we walk in and see Theara Ouch slapping the drums so hard and with so much passion that you would have thought he was playing for over 100 people.
The boys from Doch Chkae; Theara Ouch, Vichey Sok, Hing Ouch and Pic Sochetra have been given the short end of the straw time and time again in life, but this hasn’t made them give up on their passion to play and play hard. Their dedication may not seem like much at first glance, but that’s mainly due to their age and the circumstances they have faced that have impacted their lives, outside the safe zone of their music. As our time in Kandal Province drew to a close, saying our goodbyes to our new-found friends and taking our last boat ride was tough. Though it may have been the end of our time together, it is surely the beginning of Doch Chkae and Vartey Ganiva’s music careers and I do not want to miss seeing what they can possibly achieve.
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Saraliin
Written by Kate Ryan
Student from Salariin Kampuchea Organisation Learning Centre, Siem Reap, laughs with her friends before class. January 23, 2018. Photo by Kate Ryan / ARGUS
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Public education in Cambodia faces many challenges in trying to prepare their pupils for the today’s job market. 90 percent of the Cambodian population live in rural areas in impoverished circumstances. They cannot afford private education, limiting their chances of gaining entrance into University and thereby limiting their career options. Saraliin Kamuchea Organisation Learning Centre (SK), translated to ‘School of Cambodia,’ is located in Chreav commune in Krong Siem Reap. It is a non-profit government organisation that provides classes for young students for a small fee. SK teaches English, Chinese and IT classes. They also offer football training on weekends, along with classes that teach general life skills. These classes help students to develop intellectual skills. It is amazing how much effort and
dedication the teachers have put into their students. They are excelling and SK’s education curriculum definitely helps navigate students towards the Cambodian job market and even academically towards completing high school and University. In 1970 the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, beginning nearly 30 years of political unrest. This had a huge impact on public education; schools were closed or destroyed and thousands of intellectuals were executed. There were approximately 20,000 teachers living in Cambodia and only 5,000 of them remain ten years later. Over 90 percent of teachers were killed under the Khmer Rouge Regime. Since the fall of the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese Army relinquishing control of Cambodia, education is slowly improving.
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Saraliin Kamuchea Organisation Learning Centre was founded by two Swiss women, Anja Rettenmund and Kartin Santschi, in 2003. They previously volunteered at a land mine museum located in Veal Village. They soon realised that children within in the area weren’t receiving any education and the need for education was overwhelming. Director of Saraliin Kamuchea Organisation Learning Centre since 2008, Vang Ravy, stated in an interview that the two founders desired to provide a higher educational standard for the children in the surrounding village, understanding that these families and their children were eager to learn, however couldn’t afford to do so. “Anja and Kartin were astonished by the willingness of the children within the small town to take
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extracurricular lessons to have a better chance of finding a job later in life,” Director Ravy said. In 2004, a Saraliin Kamuchea Organisation Learning Centre teacher’s aunt was polite enough to host the first lessons under her roof. The classes grew and not even 12 months later, they already had 80 students. They soon expanded into Chreav, a rural village five kilometres outside of the town. Saraliin Kamuchea Organisation Learning Centre now has 250 students and six staff, which are both full time teachers and volunteers. The staff within the school are all Khmer, working together to lift the communities to grow out of poverty. Further information at: http://salariinkampuchea.org/
Accountant & Assistant Director Ms. Chandy happily helps student with there homework during their lunch break. Tuesday January 23, 2018. Photo by Kate Ryan / ARGUS
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Kneeling in the Libary is a student from Salariin Kampuchea Organisation Learning Centre reading a fantasy book before class starts. The library is available for student during school hours, they have the choice of reading or playing board games. Tuesday January 23, 2018. Photo by Kate Ryan / ARGUS
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The Finger in the Dam
Written by Jake Day, Joshua Prieto, Kate Ryan, and Dylan Crawford
An Asian Sun Bear resides in a wildlife release station located in the Cardamom mountains is seen yawning as it wakes from a long nap. January 10, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Cambodian NGO (nongovernment organisation) Wildlife Alliance stand as the last line of defence against the illegal wildlife trade, protecting animals that are brought into conflict with humans. They run an extensive operation that champions conservation on three fronts: landscape protection, wildlife rehabilitation, and wildlife release. Cardamom Rainforest Landscape Protection. Rainforests are disappearing in Cambodia. They are sold by the Cambodian government to industries such as large-scale timber and paper production, and commercial agriculture industries such as sugar, palm oil, soya, and corn. A report released in 2017 by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in 2017 revealed huge quantities of illegal timber being smuggled into Vietnam. As a result of unregulated deforestation, uncontrolled forest fires often occur, with the potential of spreading CO2 pollution as far as Singapore and Brunei. Rainforests nurture the soil, however nutrient-depleted soils cause draughts, leading to
widespread local unemployment in the rural agricultural industries. Wildlife Alliance helps prevent habitat destruction by purchasing land from the Cambodian government through local private partnerships. There is one catch to this exchange; any land purchased from the Cambodian government must turn a profit. Wildlife Alliance has employed a unique solution to the problem. Ecotourism centres in Chi Phat and Koh Kong were established to make the purchased land profitable. Rehabilitation Centre – Phnom Tamao. Many animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and human-animal conflict in Cambodia struggle with rehabilitation. They develop physical, social, emotional, and psychological impediments that restrict their capacity for release into the wild. Land clearing draws elephants to human crops, which present an easy food source for the large mammals after losing their natural environment and food source in the rainforests. A 2007 report by the Wildlife Conservation Society describes localised instances of damage to
crops and housing. They feed on sugar cane, vegetable gardens, and other crops that bring them into conflict with rural farmers. According to Wildlife Alliance guide Casey Cox, wild animals caught in snares and traps are often left for days before they are found by poachers and hunters. Those that are rescued have a high chance of having permanent physical injuries such as amputations. Predatory animals that aren’t rescued may even amputate their own limbs to survive. The captured animals that aren’t caught for meat are kept as pets where restrictive captivity and improper care results in stress injuries and illhealth. A major goal for Wildlife Alliance is to heal animals for release. Unfortunately, many animals will never make a full recovery. Instead they will live out their lives in the rehabilitation centre at Phnom Tamao. The ones that do recover move on to the release centre at Koh Kong where they face weeks or months of reintegration training for the chance to be released.
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Wildlife alliance tour guide, Chris Swanland, can be seen blowing into the trunk of 20 year old asian elephant, Lucky, as a way of saying hello, while at the wildlife santuary. January 11, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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Animal keeper Seoun Chhean brings food to Sun Bears at Wildlife Alliance’s Cardamom Mountains Release Centre on January 9, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS.
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Wildlife Release – Koh Kong. The release station in Koh Kong is situated on land purchased from the Cambodian government. The land doubles as an area for eco-tourism and to release animals into their natural habitats. The process of reintroducing an animal into the wild is time consuming. Over a period of weeks to months, the keepers must gradually reduce human-animal contact time, eventually leaving the cages open for the animals to roam free at their leisure. To prevent hunting on this land, Wildlife Alliance offer work and education to local Cambodians who rely on hunting and gathering for their livelihoods. Upon release, some of the animals fail to reintegrate and must be recaptured for their own safety. If there are no other suitable environments the release process is forfeited. If reintegration is successful the animals face the same risks that plague all wild animals. The same risks that extend the vicious cycle: poaching, hunting, and habitat destruction. It is Wildlife Alliance that gives relief to this cycle.
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A baby Gibbon cuddles a surogate teddy bear at Wildlife Alliance’s Phnom Tamao Rehabilitation Centre on January 11, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS.
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Providing Hope From Despair Written by Jim O’Reilly
Mali learning to walk with her new prosthesis. Perthes’ disease among young Cambodian children is increaseing. A condition where the top of the thigh bone in the hip joint (the femoral head) loses its blood supply and so the bone is damaged. The bone gradually heals and reforms but Perthes’ disease may cause hip problems later in life. Staff at VIC’s prosthetic laboratory have developed a unique prosthesis that allows Mali to walk with a prosthesis for a period of time and, at the same time the device causes the child’s femoral head to be lifted from the hip socket allow it to heal and regrow, leading to a strong stable hip joint long term. January 10, 2018. Photo by Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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Seated on the floor amidst rows of newly welded wheelchair frames, a worker, who wishes to be known as Tran, attaches bearings and front wheels to wheelchairs- a cog in an assembly line. Tran lost both legs by stepping on a landmine 15 years ago. He lost all hope of being able to support his family. Fearful that employers would see him as unable to work, he thought he might be forced to beg like many Cambodians with disabilities. Despite the stifling heat of the factory, Tran is grateful for his job. He feels great pride in being able to provide for his family. Nearby, a fellow staff member, who is completely blind, skillfully attaches and assembles the tyres, wheels and spokes of the wheelchairs. Both men work for Veterans International Cambodia (VIC) in Kien Khleang Village, in Khan Russei Keo Province, 15 kilometres from Phnom Penh. VIC is a non-profit humanitarian organization and in partnership with Persons with Disability Foundation (PWDF), currently supports the operation of three Physical Rehabilitation Centers (PRCs), including Kien Khleang, Prey Veng, and Kratie. These centres provide a full range of rehabilitation services
for people with disabilities, especially those who are marginalized and impoverished. VIC also operates a Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) program in the provinces of Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kratie and Phnom Penh. In an adjoining area, nineyear-old Mali tentatively walks between parallel bars that almost appear too high for her. Her discomfort is visible as she tries to get used to her new prosthesis that she will wear for the next two years. Mali’s condition called Perthes’ disease, is on the rise in Cambodia, especially among young children. Perthes’ disease is a condition where the top of the thigh bone in the hip joint (the femoral head) loses its blood supply, damaging the bone. If untreated, the femur bone is ground down, losing the entire head and causing damage to the pelvis. This results in permanent immobilizing disability. Staff at VIC’s prosthetic laboratory developed a unique prosthesis that causes the child’s femoral head to be lifted from the hip socket, allowing it to heal and regrow, leading to a strong stable hip joint long term.
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A mothers touch. Snuggling back in mums arms after his O.T. session Cerebal Palsy sufferer Kien Kakrona from the Mukh Kampu District, Kandal Province Cambodia is comforted by his mum after treatment from one Veterans International O.T.’s. January 15, 2018. Photo by Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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Resting in mums arms after an infield therapy session. Seven year old, Kien Kakrona from the Mukh Kampu District, Kandal Province suffers from Cerebral Palsay born a normal healthy child Kakrona developed a fever as an infant and went to the local doctor. During the visit Kakrona was given a tetanus injection and proceeded to have an adverse reaction. He was rushed as quick as possible to Phnom Penh, which still took over half a day menengitis is also found in this area, and the combination of these issues resulted in Kakrona developing Cerebral Palsy. January 15, 2018. Photo by Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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A Blind man assembles wheels that will be used on wheelchairs at the VIC wheelchair factory in Phnom Penh. Giving his name only as Chea he recounts how he was blind from birth. Not wanting to be a burden he now provides for his family from the wages he earns at VIC. January 10, 2018. Photo Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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Watching on. Family and neighbours look on with interest as Seven year old, Cerebal Palsy sufferer Kien Kakrona from the Mukh Kampu District, Kandal Province Cambodia receives treatment from one Veterans International O.T.’s. January 15, 2018. Photo Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
Initially over 80 percent of patients treated at VIC were victims of landmine inflicted injuries. Most commonly, they required access to wheelchairs. VIC’s wheelchair manufacturing facility is staffed by people who have disabilities, which provides employment opportunities to those often marginalized or unable to find other employment. However, the success of landmine clearing programs in Cambodia over the last decade has seen a shift in the
disability and treatment needs. The head of VIC’s laboratory reports most patients’ injuries are now caused by road trauma, then birth defects followed by landmines. He lamented that over 70 percent of his patients who received an amputation, could have had their legs saved if medical facilities in Cambodia had proper procedures for infection prevention. For significant surgeries, Cambodians must travel to Thailand to access adequate health care, which is financially beyond the reach of
most Cambodians. Walking between two makeshift parallel bars, 58 year old Noun Sophonn of Kandal Province uses all her upper body strength to stay standing. She tries desperately to place one foot in front of the other. With sweat beading off her brow, she collapses into a chair strategically place by her husband and VIC’s community occupational therapist. Sophonn was left paralyzed by a tumor on her spinal cord, she developed late in life.
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She rests briefly before lifting herself up again and repeating the arduous process. Her husband, farmer Poch Chreang watches on from a close distance in case she needs his assistance. Momentarily she stumbles and nearly loses her balance and her husband attempts to help but she delivers a short, sharp rebuke for him to leave her be. She is determined to complete this solo. Poch Chreang also has a disability - he lost his eye as a result of a savage beating at the hands of Khmer Soldiers. They received a wheelchair from Veterans International Cambodia, along with community based occupational therapy, as part of VIC’s community outreach program. The wheel chair supplied by VIC assists his wife Sophonn in getting to and from the local market and community activities. VIC and Chreang have constructed a set of parallel bars under their home to assist with the ongoing therapy. They have a small plot of land where they farm rice to sell and a small grove of Coconut Palms that he harvests for coconut water. They are the proud parents of five children and
three grandchildren and also support a son at university in Phnom Penh. Seven year old, Kien Kakrona from the Mukh Kampu District in Kandal Province was a healthy child at birth. However after a bad fall, his parents took him to the local doctor, who gave him a tetanus shot. After the shot, Kakrona developed a high fever and was rushed to Phnom Penh, over half a day away. When they arrived, the hospital told them he had meningitis. They believe the combination resulted in Kakrona developing Cerebral Palsy.
Foreign Affairs and Trade) have adversely impacted local NGOs like Veterans International Cambodia. With financial requirements of over $800,000 USD annually, VIC receives funding from a number of international benefactors including but not limited to; USAID, Australian Aid, Christian Blind Missions, UNICEF, WHO (World Health Organisation), International Red Cross and Latter-Day Saints Charities. Despite recent setbacks in funding, they remain committed to improving the lives of disabled Cambodians.
Kakrona had a purpose-built trolley made for him by VIC, which allows him to be mobile when the family goes to the market and community events. VIC’s occupational therapists also provided training for the family to perform exercises and procedures on Kakrona that help with muscle development and growth and to assist in easing the cramping that often besets Cerebral Palsy sufferers. Unlike large multinational NGOs, local NGOs really struggle for funding. The recent closures of Australia’s DAFAT (Department of
Kandal Province farmer Poch Chreang, who lost his eye as a result of a savage beating at the hands of Khmer Soldiers, and his wife, Noun Sophonn, was left paralysed by a tumour on her spinal cord that developed later in life. They receive assistance from Veterans International Cambodia by way of a wheelchair and community based Occupational Therapy. They have a small plot of land where they farm rice to sell and have a small grove of Coconut Palms that he harvests and sells the coconut water. The wheelchair supplied by VIC assists his wife Sophonn in getting to and from the local market and community activities, and VIC and Chreang have constructed a set of parallel bars under their home to assist with the ongoing therapy. Despite their disabilities they are the proud parents of 5 children and 3 grandchildren and support a son at university in Phnom Pehn. January 15, 2018. Photo by Jim O’Reilly / ARGUS
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Building Bright Future: Wonders of Grace House Written by Lilly McKenzie
The afternoon Horse and Parrot Class playing their Friday ball games outside at Grace House Community Centre in Kor Kranh village, Cambodia on Friday January 26, 2018. Photo by Lilly McKenzie / ARGUS
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Afternoon assembly where the youger kids show off their english skills by singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ at Grace House Community Centre in Kor Kranh village on Thursday January 25, 2018. Photo by Molly Burley / ARGUS
Ten minutes from Pub Street in Siem Reap’s centre, is the magical place of Grace House Community Centre. Blink and you’ll drive right past it, as it’s tucked away from the mayhem of the main streets. Head down its small dirt driveway, behind a small weaving shop, and you’ll find the centre filled with colourful buildings and friendly murals. Grace House Community Centre offers education to children on the poverty list or near poor to try and help break the poverty cycle. With two-hour sessions in the morning and the afternoon, most students also go to state
school. There is a lunch club that provides a hot meal for the most disadvantaged children, and a tuk-tuk driver to assist students who can’t get to the centre any other way. As well as helping to break the poverty cycle, Grace House also provides education, physiotherapy, and support for disabled children from the greater Siem Reap area. The Goat, Horse, and Parrot classes operate for two hours in the morning, and the Horse and Parrot classes also run two hour afternoon sessions. Ranging from ages 6-16 these classes are broken up by age
and ability. The students play with Lego, learn basic Khmer, English and math skills, as well as getting physiotherapy for some of the students. For them and their families, Grace house Community Centre is a place of hope, wonder and life changing experiences. Most of these children, some of whom were teenagers when they started at Grace House, were unable to write, do math, or even walk. With the magic and support of Grace House, this can all change and make their futures brighter.
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Young boy claps to celebrate leading his class in a performance of the song “The Wheels on the Bus” a popular children’s rhyme. Wednesday, January 24, 2018. Photo by Margaux Kendall / ARGUS
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In the Horse class’s afternoon session on a Wednesday, the boys learn math, while a sixteen year old girl walks backwards around the room, and completes other exercises as part of her physical therapy. Koi, the head of the disability classes, and herself a trained physiotherapist, says that when this girl started at Grace House three years ago, she was unable to walk, and instead walked on her knees. Three years later, it is impossible to imagine that the girl who smiles confidently while walking, and lunging across the room, was ever anything else than the happy successful girl she is today. When she arrived she lived at Grace House’s home for disabled children, Preakhoun House, as her family was unable to adequately care
for her. Preakhoun House has two full-time carers, and they can house four students at any one time. This is the support that Grace House provides. The students who are under full time care at Preakhoun House attend the Parrot Class in the morning, and the afternoon. Two days a week they are joined by a classmate, who at twelve years old has fantastically started up grade one at a local state school six days a week because of the help he has received from Grace House. Three days a week he attends Grace House’s mainstream class for six year olds, Chicks and Bees, as well as attending the Parrot Class for the other two days. Koi says that when he started at Grace House, he was unable to write, and now has been attending state school for
almost three months; a feat that many Cambodians would have deemed impossible for him but with knowledge and willpower the impossible can become possible. For ten years Grace House Community Centre has supported the rural communities surrounding Siem Reap and provided whatever assistance they can for these students. Former students now work as teachers or volunteers, even while some are studying at university. More than just breaking the poverty cycle, Grace House has provided hope and opportunity to students, many who would never have had the opportunity to be students without Grace House.
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The morning Goat Class are playing with lego after snack time at Grace House Community Centre in Kor Kranh village, Cambodia on Thursday January 25, 2018. Photo by Lilly McKenzie / ARGUS.
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As there is little education about disability in these areas, most believe if that is how a child is born, that is how they will stay, and there is no hope for improvement, or education, or that they could have a job as an adult. Koi tells us about students whose parents did not know how to care for them, parents of children who used to run away, and how they would chain them up because they knew no other way to keep them safe. Grace House works to educate the parents about their child’s disabilities, and the teachers and parents set both short and long-term goals for each child’s progress. Progress that is something most of these parents believed was impossible for their child. Grace House is breaking the stigma, by providing these children with bright futures for themselves and their community. Grace House Community Centre’s Annual Fundraiser Gala Dinner was held in Melbourne on the 21st of April. You can find out more about Grace House at: https://www. gracehousecambodia.net/ Facebook: Grace House Community Centre – Cambodia
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Testify
Written by Jake Day, Joshua Prieto, Jim O’Reilly, and Kate Ryan
Community members join grounding and relaxing exercise lead by TPO staff at the end of testimonial therapy at Ta Ann Village, Ta Ann Commune, Cambodia on the January 18, 2018. Photo by Joshua Prieto / ARGUS
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Theurt Thoy, 54, stoically recounts the story of her father’s murder at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, as she stands on the patio of a shrine overlooking the killing fields of Ta Ann village. Over 40 years since the brutal genocide of approximately three million Cambodians at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, the deep pits where the victims’ bodies were dumped, including Theurt Thoy’s father, form sinister depressions in the ground. Remnants of clothing still litter the area. Inside the locked shrine to the victims, paintings depicting the atrocities line the walls. Smashed pieces of glass carpet the ground beneath the memorial monument filled with the bones of victims – a cruel act by vandals too young to remember or possibly, to have even heard about the genocide. Chariya Om, a counsellor and project coordinator from the Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation (TPO), caresses Theurt Thoy’s shoulder as the passionate revelations pour from her soul. During her time as a prisoner, she was ordered to build a rice field dike at 15 meters per day.
She was detained in the sun without food or water, and she witnessed her mother be forced to cook human liver for the Khmer Rouge to eat. While standing at the shrine, Theurt Thoy revealed that the man who killed her father still lives in the village today, a cruel reminder of the past that she must live with every day. This is TPO’s “Healing and Reconciliation for Victims of Torture of Khmer Rouge Trauma” program coordinated by Mrs Om, which works to heal old wounds with community action, expression, and spiritual healing. A week-long process of writing, community activities, and group therapy culminates in a Buddhist ceremony attended by the whole village. The ceremony began with a photo exhibition of other clients that TPO have helped, followed by guided prayers led by the village monks. Then the six survivors, including Theurt Thoy, delivered their testimonies as witnesses and survivors of trauma, to an audience consisting of village members and local school children.
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Ms. Chea Noeun, 68, was repeatedly harassed by the Khmer Rouge. In 1976 she was stopped, frisked, and detained in a detention centre with her family - her husband, their young child, and their twomonth-old newborn. During the fluster of being searched at gunpoint, she dropped her newborn child. The child sustained a head wound that would later become infected with worms during their detention. These were the last moments she spent with her husband. Shortly after detention, he was taken away to the local killing fields. A week later Ms Noeun was put to work in the ‘rehabilitation’ area, where she cleared roots, planted potatoes, and cleared grass, for three metres by forty metres each day. To avoid being killed she hid excess seedlings in deep water to trick soldiers
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into thinking she had planted the excessive daily quotas for seed planting. She was led to the pits of the killings fields for execution three times during her detention. On one occasion, while holding her newborn, she was within thirty meters of the edge of the pits. Execution was narrowly avoided every time as soldiers changed their minds at the last minute and put her to work in the fields instead. She feared every coming day, dreading six o’clock in the morning and six o’clock at night – the killing times. Ms Noeun witnessed peoples’ heads being severed and children being thrown into palm trees before their bodies were taken to be burnt. Ms Noeun now has diabetes, is disabled, and struggles to walk. She is unable to complete her daily chores, has family problems, and suffers from dizzying spells of sadness.
Members of Ta Ann village, Ta Ann commune, Kralanh district, Siem Reap province bless the photographer at a ceremony culminating five days of testimonial therapy for members of the Khmer Rouge with TPO Transcultural
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Yim Saroeum, 64, prays for her blessings during a testimonial therapy session organised by the Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation for survivors of the Khmer Rouge at Ta Ann village, Ta Ann Commune on January 18, 2018. Photo by Kate Ryan / ARGUS
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Mr Klav Kloeum, 65, was the oldest of ten siblings in a poor farming family. The Khmer Rouge began to target Mr Kloeum in 1978 after he was caught attempting to eat the scraps from one of their meals. He was so desperate for food he risked death for scraps. As punishment, they tied him to a staircase until the early morning. He was stricken with grief after his father was taken and killed by the Khmer Rouge, still mourning him to this day. Eventually, Mr Kloeum had a family of his own, but upon returning from his time as a soldier he discovered his wife had abandoned their children. She fled after being deceived into believing the Vietnamese were coming to disembowel everyone in their village, leaving the children to fend for themselves in the jungle. The children had been rescued by a villager who refused to return them to Mr Kloeum. He was able to buy his oldest child back in exchange for gold he had borrowed from his mother. He now lives with his new wife and their five children. Ms Pang Navy, 52, witnessed the Khmer Rouge torture her father three times. He was a Colonel in the Khmer National
Armed Forces. She would secretly follow and watch helplessly as he was stripped and beaten. Her father was later killed while working for the Khmer Rouge, a memory that haunts her to this day. They found her father’s blood stained and broken body in the bushes. She remembers her mother crying as she held her father’s body. Five days later her mother passed away from grief. She often considered suicide in her time alone. One morning while waiting for a village group member, Ms Navy was captured and detained by a Khmer Rouge soldier for appearing to avoid work. She was tied by the neck to a group of prisoners and led to the edge of a pit at the local killing fields. She saw the pits filled with the rotting bodies of children, adults, and the elderly – no one was spared. She managed to escape by slipping the rope off her neck, running, and hiding in the bushes while the prisoners at the front of the line were being executed. She lived with her god-mother for seven years after escaping. Ms Navy now lives with her husband and their children. A family that understands her trauma.
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Ms Seang Heap, 65, was forced into marriage under fear of death by the Khmer Rouge and then separated from her husband and put to work in the fields. The Khmer Rouge permitted Ms Heap and her husband to stay together once a month. After being pregnant for five months, she was taken to work in the cooperatives at Trapaing Chhouk village. Three months after giving birth to her newborn son, she was detained with her child and transferred to work in Phnom Trong Bat, where her son died of starvation. She narrowly avoided execution after the Khmer Rouge confused her last name ‘Heap’ with that of another prisoner, ‘Leap’. Her whole family was killed during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Ms Yim Saroeum, 64, was captured by the Khmer Rouge in 1977. She was forced into marriage and later detained after Khmer Rouge spies discovered her and her husband were not living together. In detention, she was beaten with
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large sticks. She witnessed the suffering of many people including the live burning of a man who had been chained at the wrists and ankles. Ms Yim now lives with her six family members, including her child and her grandson. At the end of their testimonies, the survivors thanked the staff from TPO. Were it not for their hard work, the survivors would continue to harbour their deep sadness in silence. After the survivors have been blessed and more prayers had been uttered, the TPO staff lead the members of the Ta Ann village in a light-hearted grounding exercise to root them all at the moment and to draw their focus from the past to the present. Afterwards, the survivors remained behind to talk about their day and discuss further counselling sessions with TPO staff. For the first time in many years, the survivors were able to experience a small sense of relief from their internal suffering.
These are the hands of 68 year old Khmer Rouge survivor, Chea Noeurn. Her supervisor and counsellor keeping her company in her testimony. January 18, 2018. Photo by Kate Ryan / ARGUS.
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Concealing Comfort
Written by Jake Day and Dylan Crawford
A Ly, 19, applies makeup at the SMARTgirl club in Siem Reap on January 23, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS.
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Times are tough for Cambodian Non Government Organisation, SMARTgirl in Siem Reap. The local NGO works with Cambodian entertainment workers, known as ‘EWs’ colloquially by the staff at the little NGO. SMARTgirl provides a safe space where the EWs can talk, socialise, and receive health care services such as STI and HIV tests. Until recently, the NGO relied on funding from USAID. However, according to SMART Senior Project Coordinator Mr Chheav Aphyra, funding will cease by May 2018. Cambodian Entertainment Workers may soon lose one of the few places they have for down time, emotional support, family planning, and sexual health advice. SMARTgirl is a small club where EWs can also do their makeup and receive affordable beauty services. Members come and go throughout the day to do their makeup before heading to work. The days are slow but by late afternoon there is a crowd of EWs and staff
members chatting, grooming, and laughing, huddled around the only mirror. As dusk sets SMARTgirl staff members head out to perform HIV tests at local establishments, where people are more at risk of contracting the virus. One such location is a local massage parlour attended by five women. Their ages range from 17 to 43. Two of them sit outside of the establishment while a SMARTgirl staff member prepares the HIV test on an outdoor bed. Behind them a hallway, lined with curtains that conceal six rooms, extends the length of the parlour. Each room is separated by thin wooden walls. Behind one curtain there is only a single bed with a phone charger, pillow, and two rolls of paper towels. Past the narrow row of curtained rooms a young woman makes dinner on the floor. Back on the street, the test results take 15 minutes each. 15 minutes of waiting in uncertainty for results that could completely disrupt a young woman’s life.
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The beauty services provided by the club help conceal the harsh reality of entertainment work in Cambodia. SMARTgirl lacks the glitz, glamour, and funding of national organisations. But it is local organisations like the SMARTgirl club in Siem Reap that make all the difference for entertainment workers doing their makeup in the late afternoon. SMARTgirl provides educational materials on sexual health and family planning. It supplies condoms and lubricants, conducts HIV testing, and offers health service referrals. Most importantly, the club provides a place of respite. According to the SMARTgirl program’s August – December 2010 mid-term review, entertainment workers, men
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having sex with men, and people who inject drugs are identified as Cambodia’s most at risk groups for contracting HIV. Many people in these categories are forced to hide their profession since Cambodia passed the Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking in 2008. This law forced the closure of many brothels and similar establishments that provided more security than selling sex on the street. Now most EWs who sell sex do it covertly on the side while working at beer gardens, bars, karaoke, and as beer promoters. They take entertainment jobs to avoid poverty and low-paying work at garment factories, which often cannot provide a sustainable income, especially for those with families.
Srey, 18, gets her hair done by Pich, 24, at the Smart Girl Salon so that she’ll be ready for the night ahead on January 23, 2018. Photo by Dylan Crawford / ARGUS
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A bed in a massage parlour at an undisclosed location at a hotspot for Entertainment Workers and HIV testing, visited by SMARTgirl staff members January 23, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS
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A girl cooking in a massage parlour at an undisclosed location, visited by SMARTgirl staff members on January 23, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS
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SMARTgirl club staff member Srey Doung, 25, tests a massage parlour attendant for HIV at an undisclosed location on January 22, 2018. Photo by Jake Day / ARGUS
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The organisation shows promise in its mid-term review; 45 percent of entertainment workers had spoken with a SMARTgirl outreach worker in the past month, 14 percent in the last three months, and a further 25 percent reported visiting a SMARTgirl club at least once a month. The organisation has operated successfully since 2012 and will continue to operate until its funding ends in May 2018. The future for SMARTgirl is uncertain. According to Project Coordinator Mr Chheav Aphyra, the club will be absorbed by the Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC). The SMARTgirl staff are unsure if they will be transferred to RHAC or lose their jobs. Although RHAC offers all the same services including family planning, counselling, sexual health advice, and a range of tests (STI, STD, HIV, sperm, and cervical cancer), it does not offer a place like the SMARTgirl club in Siem Reap – a unique place for entertainment workers to connect and support each other.
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Many thanks to the
EDITORIAL TEAM
DR. KELLY MCILVENNY EDITOR IN CHIEF ADAM ABELA MAGAZINE EDITOR TAHLIA CAMILLERI PHOTO EDITOR MELODY DAVIS MANAGING EDITOR CHRISTIAN NIMRI MULTIMEDIA EDITOR JENNIFER COLVERSON BOOK EDITOR CAILLIN PALMERO WRITING EDITOR YAN SHI SUBMISSIONS EDITOR JESSICA HOPE SUBMISSIONS EDITOR AMANDA MACEY SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER BAILEY LEWIS SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER ALESIA TABONE CONTENT EDITOR
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