Sunday 29 November 2015

Morning procession

- a wedding to be had!
November was a busy month with jam-packed events and activities.

Winner of all posters: Grade 3
Note: The above student was away harvesting rice and was unable to receive her gift.
However, I was fortunate enough to see her in the rice field with her family.
In early November, the School Opening Ceremony took place in more spacious grounds where the officials were mindful of the needs of their students.  We also had a poster competition in several schools where surprisingly every student took part in this critical event; with many winners at that! Savy my translator / assistant decreased his VSO work time with me and returned to his teaching job, while Panha, my new assistant picked up the remaining 40%.  Also, earlier in the month, we noticed that the Tonlé Sap had reversed earlier than as per usual, because the Mekong River was unusually low. 

It’s been a month where we were invited to 2 weddings but could only attend 1.  We also celebrated the arrival of two new VSO volunteers to MDK; we had two birthday communal dinners with them where everyone chipped in to help make dinner.  A colleague and I made spring rolls for the first time; surprisingly, they turned out to be yummy.  In courtesy of VSO , I was invited as one of the guest speakers to talk to the new in-country training group (ICT) (at the CO, Phnom Penh), about the Bunong indigenous people in MDK.   

Winner number 2:  Grade 5
November was also the Betel nut season where a number of people from all over Sen Monorom came in droves to the landlady’s house to select and buy the ‘very’ best fresh betel nut for their elder relatives, who live in the nearby villages.  The chewing of the betel nut, an ancient Indian herb, is primarily used for medicinal purposes to help with digestion.
Throughout the month of November, we continued to collaborate with VSO ICS – youth group where they too, decided to interview locals in and out of town to get a sense of what education means to the Bunong and Khmer men and women.  They also wrote a manual for their ‘garbage’ project, for making a ‘garbage’ container composed of chicken wire and water pipes :)

The month of November ended up being a bit chaotic as well as magical.  I was in Phnom Penh for a week, for medical care; for two sets of rabies vaccination  that was given to me 3 days apart.

Winner number 3: Grade 4
Unfortunately, during our favourite usual Sunday walk around our home area, I was unexpectedly attacked and bitten by a large black vicious dog that was new in town (who, this irrational dog, had attacked many other people prior to me).  According to the Khmer culture, an owner can posses up to 10 dogs to guard their properties, their wealth, regardless how large or small their homes might be.    We understand that dog owners wish to improve their security, however, they are unintentionally putting other people at risk.   To get out of the mold they are presently in,  perhaps in the not so distance future, the overall community may require to go through  a change in social norms for  them, homeowners, to modify their attitude /behaviour?

Kevin, immediately took hold of me and carried me home to Savy, our landlady's clinic, all the while the neighbouring community followed us to our destination; the clinic.  While Savy, in her pajamas, and who immediately  took care of the bloody deep wound on my right thigh, the people in and out of the clinic were frantically talking to each other to find out the ins and outs of the dog’s owner and of his whereabouts.   Finally, when things were put in place, a few people who spoke English, told us that someone had indeed  touched base with the dog's owner who was at that time harvesting at his farm.  They also, gave us his phone number for future reference .  

By eve, the owners’ children,  (his son and his wife) came around to our house to apologize on behalf of their father.  They wanted to know if we wanted something, money?  More importantly, they wanted  to reassure us that their father’s dog had receive several sets of rabies shots and added that he had planned to take his dog to the farm.   whether it be true – it was hard to know.  On their way out of our apartment, they humbly apologized again and said that they would pray for us.   Later, we found out that the dog owner was  a ‘High official’ and that it was best to let things be.  - unbelievable.  

For a week, I was on heavy drugs  to keep the swelling and bleeding down.  Both, Kevin my personal nurse, and the  VSO family in Phnom Penh took every measures to ensure my comfort.   Cuso international in Canada also got on the band wagon and did the same - they followed up during and after my medical care.  I feel truly lucky :)  

Elsewhere in Sen Monorom, the day before this ordeal happened, we went to a wedding (morning procession and evening meal) with our landlord.  Our landlady, Savy, in her wisdom,  ironically felt that it was time for us to learn something about the Khmer culture :)   At dawn, we took part in the morning procession, offering food on gold plated ceremonial bowls,  to the bride and groom' s families. Though everything was already organized for us, for the procession, these prepared ceremonial food bowls were handed to us by beautiful Khmer women dressed in traditional Khmer attire, as we entered the wedding tent.    This theme, offering food to the family, likely came from a time when people contributed and brought their own 'cooked' food to the wedding for the bride and groom's family to eat and enjoy after their 3 day wedding celebration.  

More later ... :)

Saturday 28 November 2015

Ma Lylen's story

- Camera man  and driver

Hello my name is Ma Lylen and I am 35 years old male.  I grew up in Cham Katea village, in a small Bunong Village in Mondulkiri province.  My grade 9 schooling has helped me a lot at my work place.   As a result of my good education, I managed to secure a job as a camera man and a driver, with a great Bunong NGO called International Cooperation of Cambodia, better known as ICC, in Sen Monorom Town.

I have found that education has been very helpful for my family and me. I believe that if I did not go to school when I was younger, then I would not have been able to get such a respectable job.  Now, I help support my family: my wife and my three children (2 boys and 1 girl).  Not only has my education helped me to communicate more effectively in my work place, it has also given me the opportunity to make new friends. 

In all, education has helped me to reach my full potential, fulfill my own needs as well as the needs of my family and my country, the Kingdom.

I suggest to all parents who have children of school age,  6 years old or 70 months old, to enroll them to the school near you. For when we enroll our children in school, we are enrolling them in a better future!  Once your child is an educated person, not only will they help themselves, but they will also benefit you as parents, the wider community and your country, the Kingdom of Cambodia. There is no excuse not to – go to school – because, enrollment is free for everyone!

Education is valuable, not just for our Cambodian people but also on a global scale. So send your children to enroll now!
  
More later ... :)

Friday 27 November 2015

Long Theary's story

Co owner of Pizza restaurant    

Hi, My name is Long Theary, I’m 20 years old and I was born in the beautiful hills of Mondulkiri Province, in Kandal Village which is situated in the heart of Spean Mean Chey commune.   My ethnicity is Khmer and I completed my schooling at grade 9.  I am married and we are expecting our first baby in December.   With my husband, I am co-owner of the pizza restaurant, The Mondulkiri Pizza in Sen Monorom Town.   Blessed by our late parents, my two older brothers and I inherited the house and the land in which we grew up.   Consequently, later in life when I met my husband, this land gave us a window of opportunity to open up our very own Pizza business.  

Co-owner of the Mondulkiri Pizza restaurant
I have many benefits from our business:  I have my own business with my husband. With my business, I have become more confident in dealing with the people, and especially with tourists; I feel that because I learned English at school, I can talk to tourists and take their order.  

Furthermore, running my own business means I use a lot of math; I have to calculate how much money we have earned each day. I also understand  how to wok the books (book keeping) so that we know how much we have earned in a year.

My work has also helped me gain knowledge with the people I work  with on a daily basis. I am grateful for my teachers who helped me to be a good person in society by teaching me the difference between what is good and what is bad. I also know how to take care of myself and not to allow anyone to take advantage of my kindness. Even though I only studied up until grade 9, I am proud to say that I can independently support myself and for that, I am very thankful to my teachers.

Education has also helped me to have a better, broader understanding of the outside world.  More importantly, with education and the salary that I make, I  can personally support my family, myself and our new baby that will be arriving soon.

Some parents do not pay much attention about sending their children to school;  they think that they don’t have enough money to support their education.  I feel that this is wrong, because education is very important for young people.  My message is simple: Every parent should send their children to school.  One thing is for sure,  I will send my child to school as soon as s/he will become of school age. 

Since this interview took place, Long Theary  has given birth to a beautiful daughter. 

More later  ... :) 

Thursday 26 November 2015

Sraey Nich

Assistant Officer  

Hi, my name is Srey Nich and I am 21 years old. I was born in PuTrang village, a charming sleepy little village tucked in DakDam Commune, in O’Reang district, Mondolkiri Province. I still live in Putrang village because my roots are here, in this village, where my ancestors rest in these burial grounds and my family work in the rice fields.  Now, my husband and our daughter are living with me.  

I left school after grade 9 to help my family at home and on the farm.  Furthermore,  because of my education and my P’hnong heritage, this allowed me to find a job easily outside my village, with a P’hnong NGO in Sen Monrom Town. 

Srae Nich
Education has guided me through some bumpy periods in my life and as a result, it has taught me well in the work place.  Additionally, I have made many connections and know a lot of people whom I work closely with.    

Education has also helped me with my personal life, to earn a decent salary that has allowed me to support my family, including my husband and our daughter. Through my networking at work, we can visit many places outside my village.

When I’m not working in my regular job in Sen Monorom Town,  I live and work at my family’s farm, in the rice fields.  I am so happy to say, that we now produce an extra yield of rice twice a year thanks to my education and the extra money that I earn for my family.  With the extra yield of rice we get each year, we bag it and sell it to the other Provinces.  Therefore, with this extra money that we get, I am happy to say, that it used to help our community.

My appeal to all parents with children aged 6 and above, would be to go and enroll them in the schools throughout Mondolkiri Province. It will not cost you anything to enroll your child.  Please know that your children will reap the many benefits of having an education.   Because with an education, they will gain a lot of skills, they will have more job prospects, they will earn more money.   And, like me, they will not only improve their thinking skills in a more critical way, and they will also improve their family’s standard of living.

More later ....  

Tuesday 24 November 2015

Chrae Chou

Primary Staff Officer for the Provincial Office of Education 

Hi, my name is Chre Chou, I am 30 years old and I was born in a P’hnong village called Pu Loung Village that has now become one of the main attraction sites in Mondulkiri Province.   I now live and work in Sen Monorom Town and I am delighted to tell you that I am the first Bunong woman to be hired as a Primary Staff Officer for the Provincial Office of Education.  
PouLong Village
I finished my education once I completed Grade 9 and I believe that my schooling has helped me to find a good, well-paid job allowing me to support my family and myself, with enough money to give us a small holiday once a year.

Without an education we cannot work, and with it, it has helped me to practice better farming method in my homeland, as well as easily understand difficult tasks in my work-place.

Education has helped me to become a better member of my family and a better citizen of this country.  After becoming a well-educated person, I was able to help other people, like myself, by educating them to live a good life. It has also given me a better understanding of social communication to help me to build proper relationships with people.

I'm so proud to be a Primary Staff Officer
As an educator, I believe it is our responsibility to encourage parents to register and send their children to school, especially if they’re of the ages of 70 months or 6 years old.  Registration for everyone is free.  Therefore, by sending them to school, you are already preparing them for a better future. When you send your children to school, you won’t be disappointed, as you will see the benefits of a good education. Your child will grow up to be a good member of society with high morality and become a better family member.  Additionally, like myself, from getting an education they will be able to get a good enough job to support themselves and to support you, as their parents in later life.

Where we work
Based on what education has done for me, I would like to urge every parent in our county, the Kingdom of Wonder, that despite whatever situation you live in, whether your family is rich or poor, you must that send your children to school. 

Thank you for listening.  Chou

Comments and suggestions are welcome

More later :) 



 

Monday 23 November 2015

Li Sitha's story

- Poultry Farmer and Early Literacy Teacher Trainer


Hello. My name is Li Sitha.   I am a 49-year-old Khmer male from PuSham village, a sleepy village surrounded by striking lush green open grassland  that stretches out into the horizon of Ou Reang district in Mondulkiri Province. I currently, live with my Bunong wife and 3 children (1 girl and 2 boys) in OndolKroLong village.  Whilst my wife takes care of our family, our children and our store, I as a poultry farmer, work on the farm behind our home where we also grow a variety of fruits.  I am also a teacher trainer for the NGO called ICC (International Cooperation of Cambodia), coaching early literacy in Sen Monorom Town.   

My level of education is grade 7. My schooling has given me advantages for my working life in so many ways. My education gave me knowledge and has improved my ‘thinking’ skill set, which benefits my farming and our store where we sell food, fruit harvested from our trees, chickens, ducks and eggs from our farm. I know basic math, which enables me to run both businesses. I also have the ability to work and communicate well with other people.


Education has allowed me many advantages in my personal life. I have good living standards and I have been taught how to farm in a smart and efficient way. I am successful in my businesses; it is easy for me to sell the chickens that I raise and, the abundance of fruits I grow.   I can easily provide for my wife and three children and, for our families who live in nearby villages.  We are also able to go on holidays away from Mondulkiri.

As for my message for the school campaign, sadly, most children who live in OndolKrolong village attend grades one and two, before dropping out to help their parents in the home or  to work on the farm. I want tell the government, the Ministry of Education and NGO’s to help the people in the education sector to increase school enrollment, to ensure that children learn and that they understand the importance of staying on in school.

I want to tell the people who live in Mondulkiri Province that we register our children at school at the age of 6 years old or 70 months.

I want to tell the people in my village that school enrollment is free! When our children become educated people, they will help us, help our community, our society, our country, and the Kingdom of Cambodia will become a better place for everyone's futures.

I want to tell the people in Cambodia that education will help  young people to get well paid jobs, meaning that they can better support themselves, their families, their mothers, their fathers, their children properly.  But salary is not the only important thing; Education can help us to think deeply and critically, it can help us to decide what is good and what is bad. Thank you

Comments, suggestions, questions are welcome - 

More later ...:)

Friday 20 November 2015

The road to prosperity …

-my education -my life

As I speak,  personal stories of local people with different levels of education describing how their education has been of value to them in their jobs and in their personal lives are being aired on the Mondolkiri radio. 

These stories were put together in collaboration with a variety of developing partners: POE - Ministry of Education, ICC,  NH, ICS – VSO youths, my two VSO assistance, Savy and Panha.  Whilst 10 slots per month for vignettes of people’s personal stories are being broadcasted throughout the months of November and December, a personal story of these local people will be posted during that same period of time for follow-up support to the various communities throughout MDK.   

Comments and suggestions are welcome for all following stories :)


Village Chief Elder and School Support Committee Leader
Greetings!  I am Kol Nem.  I am a 66-year-old Khmer male and I was born in Takao Province.  I now live in PouLong village, Mondulkiri Province with my beautiful Bunong wife for 36 years.  
I want to let you know that I have no formal education per se. My family was so poor that they cannot send us, 3 children to school.  The school at that time was very far away for any of us to attend school and this was an obstacle for me if I wanted to study; I would have to leave my family and go to a different town.
During my younger days, I moved to Mondulkiri Province and became an army driver for 4 years.   After the war ended,  I moved to PouLoung village where I met my beautiful Bunong wife; where I was soon elected by the people of my village to be the Village Chief elder, to support the school committee at Poulong Village School and, to work closely with parents, teachers and the school director.  At first, I was reluctant to accept these positions that was bestowed upon me, because I did not have the experience or the know how to help the people in PouLong Village.   After some years passed, with the help of my people, I gained  the confidence and the experience that I needed, to do a good job.   During that same period of time, I also worked with livestock to earn the extra money for my family and the community.  Today, I still provide the medicine to take care of livestock, so you might consider me as the veterinarian, the Village Chief Elder and the School Support Committee Leader of PouLong Village.  
As the Village Chief and School Committee Leader at Poulong Village School, it is our responsibility, mine and the people in this committee to encourage parents to give their children the education that I, and many like me never received:  to send their children to school and to let them stay in school.
My message for you all parents, is to send your children to school. You need to know that school enrollment is free to all children!  The more educated the Cambodian Citizens are, the more our citizens will benefit as a whole from this growth.   Education will lead us to freedom, the freedom to choose our own future!   Equally significant, Remember to maintain your ethnic Bunong culture: getting an education also means that you are preserving your Bunong cultural identity.

ប្រធានភូមិនិង គណៈកម្មការទ្រទ្រងសាលា

            បើនិយាយអោយចំទៅខ្ញុំមិនបានទទួលការអប់រំអីអោយល្អប្រសើរប៉ុន្មាននោះទេប៉ន្តែប្រជាជនបានធ្វើការបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសយករូបខ្ញុំដើម្បីជួយដល់គណៈកម្មធិការនៅសាលាពូលុង។ ខ្ញុំធ្វើជាមួយហ្នឹង ឪពុកម្តាយសិស្ស គ្រូបង្រៀន ហើយនិងនាយកសាលា។ ការធ្វើការជាមួយពួកគេបានជួយអោយខ្ញុំបង្កើតគណៈកម្មធិការប្រចាំសាលាដ៏ល្អមួយ ដែលគណៈកម្មធិការនេះមានទួនាទីលើកទឹកចិត្តដល់ឪពុកម្តាយអោយបញ្ជូនកូនៗរបស់ពួកគេអោយទទួលបានការសិក្សានៅក្នុងសាលា ហើយនឹងអនុញ្ញាតិអោយកូនៗរបស់ពួកគេបានស្នាក់នៅក្នុងសាលា។ សាលាពូលុងត្រូវបានជាប់ឈ្មោះជាសាលាគំរូមួយដោយសារតែមានការខិតខំប្រឹងប្រែង និងមានការចូលរួមពីសហគមន៍ទាំងមូល។
នៅក្នុងភូមពូលុងទាំងមូលឪពុកម្តាយសិស្សទាំងអស់អោយតម្លៃខ្លាំងទៅលើការអប់រំ ហើយកូនៗរបស់ពួកគេគឺសុទ្ធតែបានចូលរៀនគ្រប់ៗគ្នា ហើយថែមទាំងទទួលបានលទ្ធផលល្អនៅក្នុងការសិក្សារបស់ពួកគេទៀតផង។
            ​​នៅក្នុងជីវិតផ្ទាល់ខ្លួនវិញ ខ្ញុំអាចជួយដល់ប្រពន្ធក៏ដូចជាសហគមន៍បានច្រើន។ ខ្ញុំគិតថាយើងនឹងអាចសម្រេចគោលដៅដែលយើងរំពឹងទុកបាន ដោយមានការចូលរួមពីអង្គការអន្តរជាតិផ្សេងៗ ហើយនឹងអាចធ្វើអោយសហគមន៍របស់យើងល្អប្រសើរជាងមុន។
            ឪពុកម្តាយគ្រប់រូបគួរតែបញ្ចូនកូនទៅចុះឈ្មោះចូលរៀន ពីព្រោះការចុះឈ្មោះចូលរៀនមិនមានការបង់ប្រាក់ទេ។ កាលណាប្រជាជនទូទៅជាពិសេសកុមារនៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជាទាំងមូល ទទួលបានការអប់កាន់តែច្រើន ពេលនោះប្រទេសយើងហ្នឹងមានការរីកចំរើនកាន់តែលឿន។ ការទទួលបានការអប់រំបានច្រើន នឹងធ្វើអោយយើងមានភាពម្ចាស់ការនៅក្នុងការសម្រេចចិត្តលើអនាគត់របស់ខ្លួនយើងផ្ទាល់ បើយើងមិនទទួលបានការអប់រំនោះយើងនឹងនៅតែទន់ខ្សោយបែបនេះរហូត។
 
More later :)