Wednesday 30 December 2015

The Girl with the Blue Bicycle

- growing by leaps and bounds   

Tea 'cozy' hats, duffel coats warn everywhere throughout Mondolkiri. ...  

In early December, it turned breezy, windy and yes, dusty; leaving a film of dust in every crevices you can imagine; nostrils , mouths, you name it ...  and it's there. The little Bunong market, spread out on the airstrip is shrinking each day due to cold, windy, dusty weather that is expected to stay for the next 6 to 8 weeks :(   

December was just as hectic as last month in a nice sort of way; Heather and Matt from Canada came to visit us and we caught up on all the Guelphite news :)  Both high school and elementary students thoroughly cleaned the school grounds, the education complex, and, within the vicinity (over the period of December) – a milestone to  become a change for Cambodia.      

It’s been a month where the partnership review (PR), planned mid month, was presented by yours truly the last minute since the education manager from the CO in Phnom Penh was new?    Panic!  Swamped with a number of deadline projects, and the copy machine out of function once again,  we went to town to copie  the documents; ‘unwittingly’ taking for granted that it would be done without a hitch – Not so!  Wherever you go to have things done, you have to expect the unexpected and to not take it for granted that things are going to run smoothly for you – such as making one to two copies to prepare for a very important presentation:)  Patience is truly a virtue – so they say.   Novuth, knowing that their was much to do to organize for the PR, came to the rescue once again to help set up and, off course  prepared all of the Khmer chars, using his beautiful ‘signature’ Khmer hand writing.  To my delight despite the initial panic and sketchy copie machine , it was very well attended and everyone came that was invited:)   Without the help of such a great team, the presentation would never have been as well organized and presented at such short notice.   

Elsewhere in Sen Monorom, every morning, the girl with the blue bicycle, too large for her to ride, began practicing her new acquire skills of riding this 'monstrous' bike, up and down the hill on our road; getting off and on her bike for a pause, for a breather.  After about a week or so, she graduated  from falling off her bike, to steadying and staying on it.   Through sheer perseverance, by mid December, she appeared to be more confident riding her bike up the road, down the hill and to school.   A few weeks ago, we noticed that not only was she riding her bike more comfortably,  the girl with the blue bicycle was riding a passenger at the back of her bike;  it was her young brother sitting on the back metal grid holding on tightly to the girl's waist .  What delightful Progress to watch the girl with the blue bicycle grow by leaps and bound
 
More later ... :)

Friday 25 December 2015

Happy Holidays

from the Chandlers 

This is such a lovely time of the year to be celebrating the holidays. I imagine that many of you planned get togethers with family and friends with communal cooking, baking and, this and that to be put in order. Amidst all the hustle and bustle remember to put your feet up, pour yourself a cup of tea, a glass of wine, or a beer and enjoy the holidays!

A very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year; 2016 to all you .

Alice / Kevin xoxo

More later ... :)

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Sen Monorom Waterfall

- aka Dom Nak Sdach Water fall - King Sihanouk’s home  

During our almost 3 years in Mondolkiri, the Sen Monorom Watertfall grounds, for the most part , was taken care by a Westerner, Brian who lived and worked with a Bunong family at the waterfall. During his time with them, he built a number of things: a bridge, a platform with wooden planks for chairs and table.   He even built two recycling garbage containers using chicken mesh and water pipe to shape and hold the wire into place;  one container for beer cans and the other for plastic.  As a result of Brian’s watchful eye, the grounds used by  a number of vendors, tourists and alike,  were respectfully clean.  The waterfall, a place of serenity, became a place of reflection, for yoga lessons, a place for people to enjoy …

Sadly, now that Brian has gone, the waterfall is chocked up with garbage; Styrofoam, plastic bags, beer cans, you name it,  the grounds are strewn with it.  The two recycling containers that he diligently built have now disappeared.  Unfortunately, what was thought to be sustainable from an English person’s watchful eye, who kept the grounds clean, have now reverted back to a garbage dump.

The Westerner’s perception, making the effort to keep the grounds clean, ironically, has been trashed by middle class local individuals, who may feel entitled?  More to the point, do local individuals lack respect outside their ‘common property’?   Sustainability cannot be imposed on change and attitude of the people.   Could it be that  ‘do it’ by example, isn't an option?

Brian’s intent was also a motivation for economic reasons; collecting beer cans for money.  

On a blissful note, Happy Solstice to all you.  There will be a full moon, the guest of honour,  that will appear on Christmas dayf or the first time in 38 years.

More later ... :)

Tuesday 15 December 2015

Chan Sovanpanah's story

VSO Volunteer Assistant   
Hi.  My name is Chan Sovanpanah, I am 22 years old and I grew up in the beautiful Khmer village of Cham Katea Village in Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri Province.   After I graduated from grade 12 at the Hun Sen Sen Monorom High school, I studied English literature at Svay Rieng University, Svay Rieng province.
Panah's story
Education was the best investment that my parents gave me.  Because of their support, I gained the correct knowledge necessary for me to secure a good job. I am so proud to tell you  that as a result of my education, I got a job as a Volunteer Assistant with VSO which is one big international NGO.   VSO has taught me how to be more competent in my work and these skills have helped me  in my personal life and gained me respect in my community. 
My take home message is to tell you that in any corner of the world, education is considered to be the most powerful weapon on earth; and this is especially true in my home country, the Kingdom of Wonder.   Presently, the government, local and international NGO’s, and communities throughout our nation, are very active and are actively focused on education.  For instance, Mr. Hong Chunnarong, the Minister of Education, has pushed every student to enroll at school, to stay at school and to finish school. 
With this in mind, I would like to urge you parents to send your children school;  to send your children to school means that you are guiding them and enriching their lives toward a better road, the road of prosperity. 
 More later ... :)

Monday 14 December 2015

Chey Chantan's story

Doctor
Hello, my name is Chey Chantan.
I was born in a small scenic P’hnong village near the foothills of ‘Bousra’ waterfall in Pench Chreada district.  To me, Bousra falls is the most magnificent waterfall in all of Mondolkiri province.  For 32 years, my Bunong heritage has made me as resilient as the waterfall itself.  I am presently single, but my family and I have a plan to find a beautiful young woman in Bousra Commune to be my wife within the next 2-3 years. 
Chantan's story
In July 2015, I graduated from Pasteur Medical University in Phnom Penh, and became a medical doctor.  Thanks to my education, I now have a job at the health clinic in Bousra Commune.
My goal in the future is to open my very own clinic so that I can help the Bunong people in my community, especially those who live in rural and isolated areas.  My staff and I can travel to the villages to personally serve the people, and to help them with their medical conditions. Nowadays, I can do something good for the Bunong people that I have known all my life.
As a doctor, I can help my family: my father, my mother, my sister, my brother, my uncle and my cousins who live with us. I can also travel with my family to different places that we have not seen before.
I would like to tell parents, students and children that school enrolment and attendance are very important. Young people need to know that nowadays, our society focuses on knowledge and educated people.  When we get an education, we gain knowledge that we can use to help each other, our families and our country for a healthier and a prosperous future.
More later ... :)

Sunday 13 December 2015

Chan Srey Ya's story

ACLEDA Managing Assistant 

Hello, my name is Chan Srey Ya, and I am a 24-year-old Khmer woman. I was born in a small picturesque village called Chom Bau Village in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia.  I am not married yet, but my family and  my sisters are looking for a handsome husband to come my way.   I am proud to tell you that I graduated from the University of Phnom Penh.
Because of my education, I found a good job easily, and now I work as an Assistant Manager for ACLEDA bank in Sen Monorom Town.  For 3 years now I have been fortunate to support my parents, and my 3 sisters.
 Education has also guided me to live as a good citizen. As a Cambodian citizen, and because of my education, I am better informed of my country’s development; it has not only helped me to live a better life, but I know with my education, I can contribute to make my country a better place to live in, and to help reduce poverty in Cambodia.
 I suggest to all parents in my community to send your children, who are of school age, to enroll them for school during the School Enrollment Campaign.  Education is very important for our lives and for our future in the Kingdom of Wonder.
More later ... :)

Friday 11 December 2015

Let Savy's story

English Teacher and VSO volunteer  
Hello!   My name is Let Savy and I am a 30-year-old Khmer man. I was born into a small Khmer rice farmer’s family in Rand Sey village, Srae Sangkom commune; an agricultural centre known as the rice and cassava production region that services the community of Koh Nhek district in Mondulkiri Province.  After I graduated from grade 12 at the Hun Sen Sen Monorom High school, I studied English at the Asia Euro University, Phnom Penh.   I now live in Chom Katae village, Spean Mean Chey commune, Sen Monorom Town, where I work as an English teacher and as a Volunteer Assistant for VSO.
Savy's story
Thanks to my teachers and my education, they have helped me to escape from poverty.   I originally came from a poor rice farmer’s family and as a boy, I worked in the rice field, helping my family to plant and to harvest rice; it was hard work and I remember thinking that I did not want to be a farmer like my family.  So when I was at school, I listened carefully to the personal stories of my own teachers who were my role models to escape from poverty.  Because of my teachers’ support, I now have a degree, which has helped me to get a job working with the Ministry of Education and with an NGO - VSO.   
My education has meant that I can read, write, speak and listen, as well as write reports, in both English and Khmer.  Education has also given me respect in my homeland, because I can now earn money by using my own knowledge and my skills to support myself as well as my own family.   I can also educate local people to improve their capabilities so that they have the  correct tools to help them  to support their own lives.
My personal message for all parents is to send their children to enroll in school. I think that school is the best place to educate children to help increase their knowledge. The younger children enroll in school, the more opportunities they will have to learn. I think that the more knowledge children have the more they are able to support themselves, their family and Cambodia. Through having an education they can have the ability to develop their environment (locality- where they live), help their community and their own nation through training, teaching students or the people that they live with. 
More later :)

Thursday 10 December 2015

VanBollyn's story

ACLEDA Bank Assistant 

Hi!  My name is VanBollyn Da and I am 28 years old. I am Khmer and I was born in the small, beautiful, scenic village of Prey Boe Village in Kandal Province.  I am married and we have a 3 month old baby boy.

Studying has given me many advantages: I have graduated from university and I have a good job as an assistant at ACLEDA bank in Sen Monorom Town, Mondolkiri Province.
VanBollyn's story
My education was key to helping me find a well-paid job. Now, I can support my family, whom has supported me throughout my studies.  Its effects upon me are more than financial: my perspective has become more optimistic and I can see my life  more clearer and in a happier way.  

Education has provided me with the skills I need in my daily life, allowing me to solve problems I have faced.  It has given me the ability to see challenges in a positive way.  With this mentality, I can live a happier and much better life than I ever could have hoped to without an education.

My message to parents and the community: I strongly urge all parents to enroll their children during the school campaign.  It will give children the opportunity to completely change their lives for the better. 

More later ... :)

Tuesday 8 December 2015

Heng Voleak's story

Nurse 

“Greetings!   My name is Heng Voleak and I am a 20-year-old nurse.  I was born in a Khmer family and grew up at Prek Knea Village, in Prey Veng Province.   After completing grade 12, I studied nursing in Thailand.  Now, I live in the nursing quarters of Sen Monorom Hospital in Mondulkiri Province.
Heng Voleak is a nurse at Sen Monorom Hospital
My schooling was very important in helping me to get a job.  It taught me to understand the connection between psychology and the body. As a new nursing graduate, I have the right medical skills to help patients with their needs; I can empathize with them, I can tell what exactly my patients need help with and how best to go about it. Of course I still have a lot to learn from the doctors, the lead nurse manager and my colleagues.  But, without my education I would not have had the opportunity to work in the hospital.

In my personal life, my education has helped me to take part in society, and it has motivated me to become a strong person: it has helped me to deal with problems that I never thought I could solve on my own. With my own needs met, I can help fulfill my patients’ needs and wants with the creative ideas I gained from my education.  Most importantly, I can support myself, help my family, and contribute to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

I want to say to children and their parents that education is of the utmost importance. Parents play a valuable role in their children’s education – by the time children are old enough to go to school, they can already speak and express themselves. For me and everyone else, our parents were our first teachers – that was the first step of education.   

The second step closer to a better life is for you to know that it is important that all children in Cambodia should go to school. Young children are like sponges – they learn everything that is taught to them.  Even if a child is in a difficult situation (for example, from a marginalized group), they should get the opportunity of an education. Without an education, one cannot work or move to other sectors like the economy, health or tourism.

Everything begins with education. Children began their education with you.  Now it’s time to send them to school – Education is free.  When you parents send your children to school, you are preparing them for a better future.  All children need an education.”   Thank you.

More later :)

Monday 7 December 2015

Thy Chanthon's story

Tour guide 

My name is Thy Chanthon. I am 33 years old and I have a grade 12 education. I was born in O Re Sey Village, Kratie province.  Now I live in Cham Katae Village, Spean Mean Chey Commune, Sen Monorom Town in Mondulkiri Province.
My education has taught me how to read and write; I have been able to use these skills to find a suitable job, and these have helped me a lot in the work place. Also, my education has helped me find a good job as a tour guide, which has helped me to earn money to support my family and me.

My message to all parents and guardians with children who are old enough to enroll in school, from the ages of 6 years old or 70 months, is to enroll them in school, because it will be the beginning of a bright future for your children. If your children are well educated, they can help themselves, their parents and family and they can contribute to help their community and Cambodia. If we are not educated, we are unable to shape our own destinies, we cannot work and we waste our potential.

More later ... :)

Saturday 5 December 2015

No Nara's story


Assistant Office Manager

Hi, my name is No Nara, I am Khmer and I’m 22 years old.  Thanks to my grade 12 education in PrekTmey Village, Kandal Province, that I was able to get a good job as an Assistant Office Manager at the copy shop in Sen Monorom Town  where I am able to help people every day. 

Both my job and my education have helped me to excel at my job and provide excellent customer service to a variety of regular customers. 

I really appreciate my education, because it enabled me to get a good salary, which helps me to support my family.  One day,  I will get married to a beautiful bride and my salary will help me to support her and our ‘little’ family.   

I suggest to any parent who doesn’t send their children to school, that they should enroll them in school as soon as possible in order to prepare them for a better life and for a better future in our Kingdom of Cambodia.

More later ... :)