Poor villagers are increasingly looking for gold in a remote province
of Cambodia following the recent skyrocketing price of the precious
metal. But in their rush to find this buried fortune, they are at
great risk of dangerous chemical exposure and malaria.
Phon Pheak and a few of his family members came to dig for gold here
in Phnom Pang mountain in the village Prey Meas, or Forest of Gold,
some 90 kilometers from Ratanakkir province's Banlung city, with the
international price of gold continuing its ascent.
The 24-year-old man, from Oyadav district, about 30 kilometers away,
says he's looking for gold to support his family back home.
"On lucky days, we could get get 1 gy," or about 3.8 grams, he told
VOA Khmer recently. "On other days, just 4 or 5 hun," about 1.9 grams,
"or even just 1 hun on unlucky days."
Miners here say hundreds of families from various regions in the
province have come to the area since last year, seeking their fortune
in gold rather than farming.
"It's up to luck," said Hu Chhun, another miner. "We just keep
digging. Sometimes we get a lot, sometimes less. It's uncertain; it
lies underground."
In their search, however, the miners expose themselves to the risks of
dust, mercury and other chemicals used to purify gold. They are also
exposed to malaria.
"There's a lot of malaria here," said Hu Chhun. "And now the season
for the disease."
Pen Bunnar, local coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, said
Cambodia needs institutions to train would-be miners "and make sure
they are well aware of the impacts resulting from their mining
activities."
However, local officials say the mining is in fact illegal and is
destroying the environment. Better for the villagers to stay at home,
they say, and farm.
http://www.voanews.com/khmer-english/news/Promise-of-Riches-Lures-Many-to-Forest-of-Gold--149524545.html
Monday, April 30, 2012
Rural start-up business in Cambodia
Ek Yit and his wife used to feed their four children whatever scraps
they could toss together, but with a few lessons on fish farming, the
family now has a steady income as well as a healthy diet.
"Before I started raising fish, it was hard for my family to find
food. We used to mix some poor quality rice with whatever vegetables
we could find around the house – it was the same as the food fed to
pigs," 40-year-old Ek Yit said from Neang Teut commune in the eastern
Cambodian province of Kampong Cham. "Now we eat fish, and can exchange
the surplus for rice so my family has enough food. This means that we
can afford for our children to go to school."
In families like Ek Yit's, a child's life in poverty begins at birth.
Parents with little or no education or skills are unable to earn
livable wages, which often leaves children hungry or malnourished, and
unable to enroll in school because tuition is seen as an unnecessary
luxury. Children often have to work to earn extra income for the
family.
These people become prey to human traffickers and abusive employers.
Adults, youth and children migrate or are trafficked to work in
inhumane conditions at home or abroad, while girls and young women end
up in brothels.
As a child-centred organisation, Plan International focuses on
improving the lives of deprived children, and with a holistic outlook,
we target the roots of the problem, which means enabling adults and
communities to have stable livelihoods to support strong, healthy
children and families.
In 2011, Plan trained 165,148 people in agricultural, vocational and
business skills. Here are the stories of people Plan worked with in
Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Job security = food security
In Cambodia, Plan works with more than 8,500 of the poorest families –
totaling approximately 44,500 people – in Siem Reap and Kampong Cham
provinces. In communities like Neang Teut, Plan has helped launch
economic security activities like the fish-raising project, providing
families with skills, start-up materials and baby fish to establish
small enterprises that combat poverty as well as associated food
insecurity.
"Plan taught me how to prepare the pond and the water for the fish,
and then how to change their diet according to the various stages of
their development," Ek Yit said. "First we must feed them with a kind
of worm, then they progress to insects. The fish reach their full size
in three months, and then I can either exchange them for rice in the
village, or sell them."
Ek Yit can now feed his four children – who range in age from two to
15 – while also pulling in 8,000 riel (nearly US$2) by selling a
kilogram of fish in the market. He has even been able to send his
eldest daughter to be educated in Phnom Penh, where she hopes
eventually to gain the qualifications to become a teacher.
Plan has expanded the project to teach villagers mushroom farming.
"Now I can grow mushrooms, too, so I don't have to go into the forest
to search for vegetables," Ek Yit said. "Producing food like this has
improved almost every aspect of our lives. We have enough to eat, the
children can go to school, and they are happy."
Sustaining livelihoods in rural areas
A native of a small village in Timor-Leste's Aileu district, Agusto
left his wife and four children home and moved about two hours away to
the capital, Dili, to work for two years before returning home to work
the family land.
Forty-year-old Augusto is one of the men who return home, but many do
not, creating a labour shortage in the districts and a surplus in the
capital, where unemployment stands at more than 40 percent.
To strengthen livelihoods in rural areas, Plan has been working to
build sustainable income-generating opportunities and to provide
skills training.
Plan helped Agusto and his fellow villagers set up a livelihoods
programme, training the initial group of seven women and seven men to
start up a chicken farming business. Some members of the group already
had experience raising chickens, but additional training from Plan and
the Ministry of Agriculture helped them to improve on their
traditional chicken farming methods.
The group also visited other Plan-supported groups in Lautem, about a
seven-hour drive east of Aileu, to learn from their successes and
challenges.
"It's important that the groups get to see successful small businesses
up and running. It inspires them and helps them learn what works and
what doesn't," said Julieta Araujo, youth programme coordinator.
"The seed money the groups are provided with at the beginning is very
small and is only for essential materials to help start up their
business. It's the work they put in themselves, how they work as a
team, and what they do with their training, that is the real key to
successful income generation," she said.
In Aileu, Agusto's group has set up a chicken coop and is hoping that
with money earned from the poultry, they can expand to raise goats.
They also plan to establish savings and loans activities to support
their members and others in the community.
"To ensure sustainability of the group, we will continue to need
support in the short term to build capacity," Agusto said.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/strengthening-livelihoods-to-combat-poverty-and-improve-lives
they could toss together, but with a few lessons on fish farming, the
family now has a steady income as well as a healthy diet.
"Before I started raising fish, it was hard for my family to find
food. We used to mix some poor quality rice with whatever vegetables
we could find around the house – it was the same as the food fed to
pigs," 40-year-old Ek Yit said from Neang Teut commune in the eastern
Cambodian province of Kampong Cham. "Now we eat fish, and can exchange
the surplus for rice so my family has enough food. This means that we
can afford for our children to go to school."
In families like Ek Yit's, a child's life in poverty begins at birth.
Parents with little or no education or skills are unable to earn
livable wages, which often leaves children hungry or malnourished, and
unable to enroll in school because tuition is seen as an unnecessary
luxury. Children often have to work to earn extra income for the
family.
These people become prey to human traffickers and abusive employers.
Adults, youth and children migrate or are trafficked to work in
inhumane conditions at home or abroad, while girls and young women end
up in brothels.
As a child-centred organisation, Plan International focuses on
improving the lives of deprived children, and with a holistic outlook,
we target the roots of the problem, which means enabling adults and
communities to have stable livelihoods to support strong, healthy
children and families.
In 2011, Plan trained 165,148 people in agricultural, vocational and
business skills. Here are the stories of people Plan worked with in
Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Job security = food security
In Cambodia, Plan works with more than 8,500 of the poorest families –
totaling approximately 44,500 people – in Siem Reap and Kampong Cham
provinces. In communities like Neang Teut, Plan has helped launch
economic security activities like the fish-raising project, providing
families with skills, start-up materials and baby fish to establish
small enterprises that combat poverty as well as associated food
insecurity.
"Plan taught me how to prepare the pond and the water for the fish,
and then how to change their diet according to the various stages of
their development," Ek Yit said. "First we must feed them with a kind
of worm, then they progress to insects. The fish reach their full size
in three months, and then I can either exchange them for rice in the
village, or sell them."
Ek Yit can now feed his four children – who range in age from two to
15 – while also pulling in 8,000 riel (nearly US$2) by selling a
kilogram of fish in the market. He has even been able to send his
eldest daughter to be educated in Phnom Penh, where she hopes
eventually to gain the qualifications to become a teacher.
Plan has expanded the project to teach villagers mushroom farming.
"Now I can grow mushrooms, too, so I don't have to go into the forest
to search for vegetables," Ek Yit said. "Producing food like this has
improved almost every aspect of our lives. We have enough to eat, the
children can go to school, and they are happy."
Sustaining livelihoods in rural areas
A native of a small village in Timor-Leste's Aileu district, Agusto
left his wife and four children home and moved about two hours away to
the capital, Dili, to work for two years before returning home to work
the family land.
Forty-year-old Augusto is one of the men who return home, but many do
not, creating a labour shortage in the districts and a surplus in the
capital, where unemployment stands at more than 40 percent.
To strengthen livelihoods in rural areas, Plan has been working to
build sustainable income-generating opportunities and to provide
skills training.
Plan helped Agusto and his fellow villagers set up a livelihoods
programme, training the initial group of seven women and seven men to
start up a chicken farming business. Some members of the group already
had experience raising chickens, but additional training from Plan and
the Ministry of Agriculture helped them to improve on their
traditional chicken farming methods.
The group also visited other Plan-supported groups in Lautem, about a
seven-hour drive east of Aileu, to learn from their successes and
challenges.
"It's important that the groups get to see successful small businesses
up and running. It inspires them and helps them learn what works and
what doesn't," said Julieta Araujo, youth programme coordinator.
"The seed money the groups are provided with at the beginning is very
small and is only for essential materials to help start up their
business. It's the work they put in themselves, how they work as a
team, and what they do with their training, that is the real key to
successful income generation," she said.
In Aileu, Agusto's group has set up a chicken coop and is hoping that
with money earned from the poultry, they can expand to raise goats.
They also plan to establish savings and loans activities to support
their members and others in the community.
"To ensure sustainability of the group, we will continue to need
support in the short term to build capacity," Agusto said.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/strengthening-livelihoods-to-combat-poverty-and-improve-lives
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tips for the young entrepreneur
2012 will be the year of the entrepreneur, predicted Time magazine.
http://business.time.com/2012/01/03/2012-the-year-of-the-entrepreneur/
With technology offering low-overhead business models and access to
innovative funding options like crowdfunding, it might be easier than
ever to launch your own small business, product or service.
Some tips :
Make a detailed business plan.
Be open to the possibility that your research might require
alterations to your business model.
Be flexible.
Build in extra padding for start-up costs.
Do not expect to rely on profit in the short term (do not expect any
profit in the short term).
Seriously study your competition and the marketplace.
Why will customers come to you?
What are you offering that other businesses are not?
Create a full-fledged marketing plan.
This must include a strong online presence.
Don't quit your day job.
If you don't have one, consider getting one while you build your business.
That way you won't be reliant on your new venture until it's truly
ready to provide for you.
Finally, make sure you have the stamina.
Entrepreneurs work long hours and put everything they have into making
their venture a success.
Chances are a regular day job will be less intensive, less demanding
of your time and less stressful, at least at first.
http://blog.nwjobs.com/careercenterblog/2012/04/are-you-ready-to-become-an-entrepreneur.html
http://business.time.com/2012/01/03/2012-the-year-of-the-entrepreneur/
With technology offering low-overhead business models and access to
innovative funding options like crowdfunding, it might be easier than
ever to launch your own small business, product or service.
Some tips :
Make a detailed business plan.
Be open to the possibility that your research might require
alterations to your business model.
Be flexible.
Build in extra padding for start-up costs.
Do not expect to rely on profit in the short term (do not expect any
profit in the short term).
Seriously study your competition and the marketplace.
Why will customers come to you?
What are you offering that other businesses are not?
Create a full-fledged marketing plan.
This must include a strong online presence.
Don't quit your day job.
If you don't have one, consider getting one while you build your business.
That way you won't be reliant on your new venture until it's truly
ready to provide for you.
Finally, make sure you have the stamina.
Entrepreneurs work long hours and put everything they have into making
their venture a success.
Chances are a regular day job will be less intensive, less demanding
of your time and less stressful, at least at first.
http://blog.nwjobs.com/careercenterblog/2012/04/are-you-ready-to-become-an-entrepreneur.html
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Faster, cheaper Internet for Cambodia
Fuelled by downward pressure on internet pricing, state-owned Telecom
Cambodia had dramatically increased its fibre-optic link.
The new 10-gigabyte connection would lower prices and boost the speed
of Cambodian internet connections.
Bandwidth available in Cambodia still far exceeded internet users'
ability to use it, insiders said.
Exponential increases in demand were concentrated not in fixed
connections in households or office buildings, but in wireless
connections such as third-generation mobile services and internet
dongles, which connect to computer USB ports, Shan said.
Demand for bandwidth in Cambodia was split about 50-50 between
fixed-fibre connections and mobile operators, who were most likely
seeing jumps in 3G users, he said.
Fixed-fibre connections would become more accessible to Cambodian
households as prices fell, Shan said.
Boosts in bandwidth such as Telecom Cambodia's recent move were
attempts to compete with continually falling prices.
Supply was still much greater than that demanded by the country's
estimated 600,000 internet users, he said.
"What's available here is far more than Cambodia can consume."
Cambodia had dramatically increased its fibre-optic link.
The new 10-gigabyte connection would lower prices and boost the speed
of Cambodian internet connections.
Bandwidth available in Cambodia still far exceeded internet users'
ability to use it, insiders said.
Exponential increases in demand were concentrated not in fixed
connections in households or office buildings, but in wireless
connections such as third-generation mobile services and internet
dongles, which connect to computer USB ports, Shan said.
Demand for bandwidth in Cambodia was split about 50-50 between
fixed-fibre connections and mobile operators, who were most likely
seeing jumps in 3G users, he said.
Fixed-fibre connections would become more accessible to Cambodian
households as prices fell, Shan said.
Boosts in bandwidth such as Telecom Cambodia's recent move were
attempts to compete with continually falling prices.
Supply was still much greater than that demanded by the country's
estimated 600,000 internet users, he said.
"What's available here is far more than Cambodia can consume."
Cambodian activist shot dead
A prominent Cambodian anti-logging activist who helped expose a
secretive state sell-off of national parks was fatally shot on
Wednesday in a remote southwestern province, said police.
Chut Wutty, director of the Phnom Penh-based environmental watchdog
Natural Resource Protection Group, died after military police opened
fire near a Chinese-built hydroelectric dam in Koh Kong, said Colonel
Kheng Tito, a spokesman for the National Military Police.
Chut Wutty, who was in his forties and leaves a wife and two children,
had a reputation for speaking out against logging and corruption by
government and big business.
He campaigned against the government's granting of so-called economic
land concessions to scores of companies to develop land in national
parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
He was particularly critical of Cambodia's military police, who are
often deployed to protect private business interests.
The destruction of Cambodia's forests and the forced eviction of rural
families by armed men connected to influential businessmen was "so
sad," Chut Wutty told Reuters in February during an investigation in
Koh Kong not far from where he was shot.
Chut Wutty's death is a "tragedy," said Neang Boratino, a coordinator
in Koh Kong province for the respected Cambodia Human Rights and
Development Organization(ADHOC). "This is a threat to all forestry
forestry activists who work for the preservation of the nature," he
said.
Chut Wutty is the most prominent activist to meet a violent death
since Chea Vichea, a labour leader who fought for better pay and
conditions for garment workers until his 2004 assassination.
secretive state sell-off of national parks was fatally shot on
Wednesday in a remote southwestern province, said police.
Chut Wutty, director of the Phnom Penh-based environmental watchdog
Natural Resource Protection Group, died after military police opened
fire near a Chinese-built hydroelectric dam in Koh Kong, said Colonel
Kheng Tito, a spokesman for the National Military Police.
Chut Wutty, who was in his forties and leaves a wife and two children,
had a reputation for speaking out against logging and corruption by
government and big business.
He campaigned against the government's granting of so-called economic
land concessions to scores of companies to develop land in national
parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
He was particularly critical of Cambodia's military police, who are
often deployed to protect private business interests.
The destruction of Cambodia's forests and the forced eviction of rural
families by armed men connected to influential businessmen was "so
sad," Chut Wutty told Reuters in February during an investigation in
Koh Kong not far from where he was shot.
Chut Wutty's death is a "tragedy," said Neang Boratino, a coordinator
in Koh Kong province for the respected Cambodia Human Rights and
Development Organization(ADHOC). "This is a threat to all forestry
forestry activists who work for the preservation of the nature," he
said.
Chut Wutty is the most prominent activist to meet a violent death
since Chea Vichea, a labour leader who fought for better pay and
conditions for garment workers until his 2004 assassination.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Technology in rural Cambodia
How can rural Cambodia develop an understanding of technology?
==
Ly Sengchrea, 26, student at Institute of Foreign Languages
"We should implement computer classes in rural areas because it is an
important part of the development of Cambodia. Most people in rural
areas don't know about developing technology, so we need to introduce
them to the benefits of modern technology. Young people should get
this knowledge from both in and outside of school. There is a good
opportunity for university students in Phnom Penh to share their
knowledge of modern technology and educate those living in the
provinces."
==
Leang Sokun Mealdey, 20, student at National University of Management
"I want to create a youth campaign aimed at raising funds to buy
computers for schools in remote areas and financing computer teachers.
This would help show them the advantage of technology in their daily
lives. Also, I would teach them how to use the internet because it can
help improve knowledge and allow access to important information. This
could help them build the technology sector in the provinces, too."
==
Hay Voleak, 18, student at Pannasastra University
"I would create more schools that provide technical skills, like how
to use the computer and the internet. This would allow students more
opportunities to catch up with urban education. Also, I would use the
media to send messages to people in the provinces explaining the
advantage of using new technology. I hope that in the future,
technology will be developed and reach rural areas if we keep on
paying attention to this developing sector."
Tha Sokhna, 21, former student of Hun Sen Takhmao High School
"I think it's about changing mindsets first, because people in the
countryside aren't interested in the development of new technology.
They are busy with simple livings and trying to earn a profit for
their family. Also, the telco companies can't cover all rural areas.
So, if we want to improve this sector, we should expand coverage to
allow for easy access. Of course, the issue of price needs to be
addressed since access is still expensive."
==
EK Sunmonyroth, 21, student at Royal University of Law and Economics
"We need more educators with computer and internet skills in order to
provide knowledge to those living in rural provinces. If I had the
chance to visit rural Cambodia, I would explain the advantages of
technology in our daily lives. Some organisations or major company
stakeholders could benefit from financing computer education in rural
areas, as they're building a future work-force. "
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012042555771/LIFT/how-can-rural-cambodia-develop-an-understanding-of-technology.html
==
Ly Sengchrea, 26, student at Institute of Foreign Languages
"We should implement computer classes in rural areas because it is an
important part of the development of Cambodia. Most people in rural
areas don't know about developing technology, so we need to introduce
them to the benefits of modern technology. Young people should get
this knowledge from both in and outside of school. There is a good
opportunity for university students in Phnom Penh to share their
knowledge of modern technology and educate those living in the
provinces."
==
Leang Sokun Mealdey, 20, student at National University of Management
"I want to create a youth campaign aimed at raising funds to buy
computers for schools in remote areas and financing computer teachers.
This would help show them the advantage of technology in their daily
lives. Also, I would teach them how to use the internet because it can
help improve knowledge and allow access to important information. This
could help them build the technology sector in the provinces, too."
==
Hay Voleak, 18, student at Pannasastra University
"I would create more schools that provide technical skills, like how
to use the computer and the internet. This would allow students more
opportunities to catch up with urban education. Also, I would use the
media to send messages to people in the provinces explaining the
advantage of using new technology. I hope that in the future,
technology will be developed and reach rural areas if we keep on
paying attention to this developing sector."
Tha Sokhna, 21, former student of Hun Sen Takhmao High School
"I think it's about changing mindsets first, because people in the
countryside aren't interested in the development of new technology.
They are busy with simple livings and trying to earn a profit for
their family. Also, the telco companies can't cover all rural areas.
So, if we want to improve this sector, we should expand coverage to
allow for easy access. Of course, the issue of price needs to be
addressed since access is still expensive."
==
EK Sunmonyroth, 21, student at Royal University of Law and Economics
"We need more educators with computer and internet skills in order to
provide knowledge to those living in rural provinces. If I had the
chance to visit rural Cambodia, I would explain the advantages of
technology in our daily lives. Some organisations or major company
stakeholders could benefit from financing computer education in rural
areas, as they're building a future work-force. "
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012042555771/LIFT/how-can-rural-cambodia-develop-an-understanding-of-technology.html
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
JOB VACANCY Community Organizer
JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Community Organizer :: 1 position
Community Organizer :: 1 position
Occupation and Rural Economic Development Association (OREDA) is a
local non-government organization working in Kampot province, Chhouk
and AngkorChey district, supporting sustainable integrated community
development.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified, and highly motivated
candidates for the position advertised below, which is based in
Meanchey and Dankorm commune in two district of Kampot province.
Major areas responsibilities include:
The Community Organizer works under the guidance of the Executive Director.
The task works will be flexible and open to change assignments.
The duties and responsibilities are describing below:
o Collecting information and analyzing the data through participatory
method, identify the real needs of the villagers and prioritize the
project with need to support them.
o Organizing community for managing development work and their resources.
o Strengthening capacity CBOs so that they will be able to manage
their project activities in the future by themselves.
o To monitor the activities and problems in target community and give
advises to the community and also report to the Executive Director
o To determine focal points and results in the target communities
o To involve with the planning (monthly, quarterly and annual planning)
o To share information and experiences among stakeholder and
especially community and encourage the community by meeting in each
family in target community
o To take a minute, report of activities such as meeting, workshop,
training and other events
o To facilitate and strengthen communities in the target area
o To effectively develop and maintain relationships with authorities
at all level
o To implement the task made by supervisor
o To routinely monitor a progress of community and ensure that the
project will be achieved its purpose/goals
o To involve with some special events conducted by OREDA
o Assess the training needs of the program
o Regular field visits around target area
Education:
o Learn about the theory and practice of education in emergencies.
o Become prepared to work on education in an emergency and to respond
in the way;
o Find out the capacity of the population affected and partner
organizations and identify roles and responsibilities for effective
coordination;
o Create a plan to build capacity at national and local levels and
provincial/district levels;
o Create a plan to inform sub-National education policy, planning, and
budgeting so that education in emergencies is addressed in a more
systematic and sustainable manner;
o Be able to deliver training at country and provincial/local levels.
Qualification
Graduated bachelor degree in related field is preferred
Minimum 2 year experience in the field or relevant field
Ability to adopt the environment and ready to overcome challenges
Good health enabling travel to communities, and a willingness to work
and stay at times in villages
Learning attitude
Ability to read, write and speak English fluently
Be able to travel by motor to the remote target areas
Computer skill (Word, Excel, Power-point and Internet)
Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation and report writing skill
Ability to work independently and with team
Interested candidates should send CV and reference by 30 April 2012 to OREDA
only short listed applicants will be contacted for future interview.
Contact person :: Chhav Monovan
E-mail: monovan.chhav@gmail.com
OREDA office: National Road 3,
Chrey village, SatvPong commune,
Chhouk district, Kampot province
or
CCC box 186
Mobile: 012 962 976
Friday, April 20, 2012
About mining and exploration in Cambodia
Cambodia, Once Secret, Is Now Open for Business
INTERVIEW : Richard Stanger
http://jutiagroup.com/20120418-cambodia-once-secret-is-now-open-for-business-richard-stanger/
INTERVIEW : Richard Stanger
http://jutiagroup.com/20120418-cambodia-once-secret-is-now-open-for-business-richard-stanger/
Richard Stanger is the founding and present president of the CAMEC
(Cambodian Association For Mining And Exploration Companies) and has
been actively involved in the development of mining exploration in
Cambodia since 2004. Stanger is an explorationist/businessman with
more than 20 years of involvement in mining and exploration. Previous
experience includes directorship of several Australian listed public
companies as well as numerous unlisted entities, direct mining
experience and a number of years in the management consulting industry
primarily focused on the mining industry.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Cambodian artists to document and archive PP landscape
Erin Gleeson, a curator and researcher who has lived in Cambodia for a
decade, said there is a strong pattern among Cambodian artists to
document and archive the city's landscape, with the anticipation that
it could become unrecognizable in years to come.
decade, said there is a strong pattern among Cambodian artists to
document and archive the city's landscape, with the anticipation that
it could become unrecognizable in years to come.
"Almost 80% of the local artists in advanced practices are committedly
making commentaries on the rapid urbanization of Cambodia. These local
artists are responding to the change in their lifestyles, culture and
environment and some of them are also expressing their personal
experiences as they are also residents near the lake that is now
vanished," she said.
Gleeson added that this movement of artists is not pre-planned, but
the works seen so far have turned out to be a cohesive collection that
presents a similar view.
"Phnom Penh is a flat city, and has never been a concrete city. But,
as it develops, the artists here mourn for the loss of that landscape
that they are so used to. It is an irony, as we feel that some things
are dying, even though the city is growing," she said.
Among the artists that have prominent works on the subject include Kim
Hak, a photography artist that has exhibited several projects in and
out of Cambodia, mainly on people living in and among colonial
buildings in Phnom Penh.
"More often than not, a new building or skyscraper is constructed at
the expense of existing buildings that have historical and social
values, including schools and hospitals. I believe that the colonial
buildings should co-exist with the new ones, instead of changing Phnom
Penh's landscape entirely," he said.
Another artist, Khvay Samnang, has worked extensively in producing art
works to express his views on the vanishing lakes in Phnom Penh's city
centre. He has recently exhibited a series of photographs of himself
standing in the middle of the now-gone Boeung Kak lake and pouring
earth over his body as the shot was being taken.
"My work is for the people. I use my body to react towards the loss of
lakes situated in the heart of the city. I am not trying to change the
government's mind about how they should develop this country but
rather, I am expressing my experience of this loss and be critical
about this issue," he said.
Khvay said he is not against the government developing the land in
Phnom Penh. But, he says it has to be done with proper urban planning.
"Filling the lake with earth will result in environmental consequences
such as increased floods in Cambodia in future years," he explained.
Responses to these artists' work have been encouraging. Kim said his
photographs of colonial architecture have helped raise awareness of
preserving some heritage monuments. "When these photographs are
exhibited in Phnom Penh, UNESCO wanted to use some of them as exhibits
to discuss with the government on preserving these buildings," he
said.
Gleeson said the local artistic community did not produce art works to
quickly change people's minds, but rather to engage with the
community. "In their own individual ways, these artists want to be
initiators of conversations, and not want to let things pass without
saying something," she said.
April 18, 2012
Cambodian Artists Respond to Phnom Penh's Rapid Urbanization
Yong Yen Nie
Phnom Penh
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Cambodian-Artists-Respond-to-Phnom-Penhs-Rapid-Urbanization-147948755.html
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Two art schools will open in Cambodia this year
Two art schools will open in Cambodia this year, built by a retired
Korean music professor. They will be the first-ever private schools
specializing in arts in the Southeast Asian nation.
Korean music professor. They will be the first-ever private schools
specializing in arts in the Southeast Asian nation.
Lee Chan-hae, a former professor at Yonsei University's College of
Music, is behind the establishment of Phnom Penh Institute of Art in
Beong Keng Kong 1, and El Dream Arts School in Canadia, an industrial
area in the country.
Phnom Penh Institute of Art will be have a college, a pre-college for
middle and high school students and classes for gifted children aged
3-12 and adults. It is scheduled to open Oct. 6. Students will be able
to learn ballet and fine art there as well as music.
Situated in the living and working zone of an industrial area with a
population of over 300,000 thousand workers, El Dream Arts School will
offer classes for everyone from 3-year-olds to adults, but not college
degree programs. The school, which opened in March will begin offering
classes in June 18. All classes will be offered in English.
"Phnom Penh Institute of Art will have over 400 students, as it should
in order to be approved as a college. But El Dream Arts School is not
a college, so it can be more liberal with the number of the students.
We are still expecting quite a large number, though, as it is a
populated area and the school is the first of its kind. I hope it
benefits as many people as possible," Lee told The Korea Herald.
Lee, who served as a professor in Korea for 34 years, was shocked to
find out during her visit to Cambodia in 2007 for missionary work that
kids there receive no music education at schools.
"Classrooms have no organs, no pianos. Unlike how we have school songs
in Korea, they don't. I have never even met any Cambodian student who
was able to finish their national anthem. The schools (in Cambodia)
offer almost nothing in terms of art and music," said Lee.
So after retiring two years ago, she got down to building art schools
there at her own expense, although she did not wish to reveal the
exact amount.
"Music is all I can do. I have a certain sense of duty that I should
help out at countries that are less fortunate than ours, if they are
in need of my help in anyway. I am also planning to build schools in
other countries as well, such as Laos," said Lee.
The tuition will not be free because the quality of classes has to
reach a certain level, she said. But it will not be too costly,
because she understands the financial situation of the region.
Professors who agree with the school's vision will come to teach from
all over the world, including the U.S. and Austria.
"We will run many scholarship programs and get sponsorships," she said.
Lee has high hopes for the youngest ones who will enter the school,
the 3-year-olds.
"What would be the difference between the 3-year-olds in Paris,
Manhattan, Seoul, or Cambodia? Nothing, because they are not educated
yet. I think they will be given the same chance if we give them the
ideal education taught in other places of the world," said Lee.
Retired professor founds art schools in Cambodia
By Park Min-young
2012-04-17
preschool programs in Cambodia
A new longitudinal study carried out in Cambodia has found that some
types of preschool are better than others, but any type is better than
none at all.
types of preschool are better than others, but any type is better than
none at all.
Researchers measured outcomes associated with three major preschool
programs in Cambodia—state preschools, community preschools, and
home-based programs. In so doing, they looked at a randomized sample
of 880 5-year-olds from six mainly rural provinces of the country; the
children attended one of the three programs or no program, and the
study assessed their developmental gains at the start and end of a
school year.
The study found that the effects of the preschool experience on
children's development at age 6 depended on the type of preschool they
attended. But children who went to any of the three types of programs
did significantly better than children who didn't go to any preschool.
Children attending state preschools improved more than those attending
the other two types of programs. This may be because state preschools
tend to have more qualified teachers than community preschools and
more resources (including learning materials) than both community
preschools and home-based programs.
The study was done by researchers at the University of Hong Kong,
Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Beijing Normal University, Cornell
University, and California Polytechnic State University. It is
published in the journal Child Development.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Digital Media in Cambodia
Digital Media in Cambodia
Peer-to-peer learning through Social Media
Strategies for Businesses
Strategies for Community Leaders
Peer-to-peer learning through Social Media
Strategies for Businesses
Strategies for Community Leaders
Important Document :
https://wiki.smu.edu.sg/digitalmediaasia/Digital_Media_in_Cambodia
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Widening gap between rich and poor
Asian Development Bank says the Asia's rapid growth has created an
income gap that threatens to undermine growth and stability. Asia's
richest one percent account for six to eight percent of total income.
In most countries 20 percent of total income went to the wealthiest
five percent. Since the 1990's, inequality has grown in Asia's three
largest economies, China, India and Indonesia. Unequal access to
education, health and other public services also hinders opportunities
for the poor to overcome their economic plight. School dropout rates
are up to five times higher for children in the poorest families.
Infant mortality rate is 10 times higher for poor infants than for
babies born to the rich. Asian nations to spend more on education and
infrastructure, and promote small and medium enterprises.
income gap that threatens to undermine growth and stability. Asia's
richest one percent account for six to eight percent of total income.
In most countries 20 percent of total income went to the wealthiest
five percent. Since the 1990's, inequality has grown in Asia's three
largest economies, China, India and Indonesia. Unequal access to
education, health and other public services also hinders opportunities
for the poor to overcome their economic plight. School dropout rates
are up to five times higher for children in the poorest families.
Infant mortality rate is 10 times higher for poor infants than for
babies born to the rich. Asian nations to spend more on education and
infrastructure, and promote small and medium enterprises.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Teaching sanitation : rural development
Improved health practices and sanitation are an obvious starting point
for improving health in rural Cambodia, writes John Macgregor. A shift
in thinking away from rigidly rational development models to a more
random, spirited approach may also help, he argues.
for improving health in rural Cambodia, writes John Macgregor. A shift
in thinking away from rigidly rational development models to a more
random, spirited approach may also help, he argues.
The most visually striking thing about rural Cambodia might be the
abysmal state of people's health. If you were someone who liked
log-frame diagrams, you might have arrows emanating from poverty,
dirty water, outdoor defecation and poor nutrition to pictures of
listless adults, kids infested with parasites, and just about everyone
some inches shorter than their optimal height. In villages far from a
main road, that's certainly the visual which hits you in the face.
In some places, nearly everyone is sick. Work is slow, and learning
largely absent. Ratanakkiri province, for example, has worse child
stunting, and child mortality, than Sierra Leone.
Battambang province has more of a mixture of pluses and minuses. Knach
Romeas commune on the Thai border, for example, has high rice
production – but no clean water. A recent study there by the NGO I
work with, Lom Orng, found that residents spend 18 per cent of their
disposable income on expensive, untreated, trucked-in water. This
water (and sanitation in general) is so bad that villagers spend
another 27 per cent on medical bills. At a guess, bad water might
steal away a third of local income.
But every aid practitioner knows that single issues are a bit of an
illusion. How do you tease water apart from sanitation, or sanitation
from education, or education from income? And what if you overlay
factors like high birth rate and global warming? Or the downstream
effects of the latter, such as the flooding of the Mekong Delta and
the millions this will displace on Cambodia's doorstep? At this point
your log-framer might start to go mad (assuming log-framers aren't
this way already).
Given the infinity of problems, and the finitude of money, the best
anyone can do is to arm themselves to the teeth with a love of the
poor (incidentally, a solution par excellence to Western neuroses),
and to pick the high-yield targets.
The US$1.4m After the Flood project – being run across three
northwestern provinces by four local NGOs – is providing seeds and
training for a quick short-term rice crop, re-stocking chicken coops
and vegetable gardens, and building food-dense Permaculture "safe
grounds" above the flood line. It is also repairing schools, education
being the specialty of one consortium member, PKO.
The psychological software is being addressed as well: here we judged
that poor hygiene and sanitation habits are the most compelling
target, given that they poison both water sources and food. In lieu of
crowding people into rooms with whiteboards, the hygiene trainers have
opted for a little drama. Perhaps 40 villagers are brought together to
draw a map of the village in the dirt. Various coloured sands are
provided to represent walkways, homes, streams, and so on. They are
then asked to mark areas where they shit. (I'll use that word rather
than "defecate", as our Khmer teams are rather taken with its
naughtiness, which chimes well with colloquial Khmer. They now
laughingly refer to themselves as "shit experts".)
Drawing a village map can take all morning. Trainers might step in
sometimes and ask, for example, what people make of the fact that they
are shitting within a few feet of their water source. But mostly they
allow villagers to draw their own map and reach their own conclusions.
Then walks are done to outside toilet areas, and shit collected. Flies
are observed gathering on it, and then on people. It's mixed with
drinking water in a plastic bottle, and offered round as a drink, to
general guffaws. Basic facts about the fecal-oral route of water and
food contamination are introduced – but 95 per cent of it is letting
villagers describe their own patterns of behaviour, see them in a
slightly new light, and make their own connections.
We haven't gauged results yet, but this Community-Led Total Sanitation
training is certainly confronting enough to grab villagers' attention.
And as they are driving the process; they feel free to have noisy
debates. Getting a birds' eye view of things seems to be another
clincher: seeing the relationships in graphical form.
After the Flood has no consultants, no SUVs, and one meeting a month,
which no one enjoys. It is succeeding partly because it is lean, but
mostly because my Cambodian colleagues are so good at what they do.
While they possess the Khmer impatience with theory and detail – and
so tend to jump straight in – this is because they know their communes
like the backs of their hands. These are the men and women who jumped
into boats with supplies last October, and saved 6,000 inundated
people from malnutrition, disease and death – on two days' notice.
The project to date has been characterised by cross-fertilisation. The
CLTS training was taught to the other NGOs by Ockenden, which has
experience in it. Lom Orng has shared its knowledge of short-term rice
cropping and horticulture; while DCO – more of a nuts-and-bolts
operation – racked up large tallies of ponds, safe grounds, chicken
coops and vegetable gardens in the first month, spurring everyone else
to get moving. Several times staff from the various NGOs have pooled
their salaries to build houses for flood survivors they found living
on the dirt.
The project is having some effects beyond its bounds. Its Permaculture
demonstration farm, begun by Ockenden in Battambang's Rukha Kiri
district, will long outlive the project, and will hopefully become a
permanent feature of the country's agricultural landscape. For Lom
Orng, After the Flood has strengthened our grasp of the link between
water and health, and we have drafted a plan to bring cheap,
reticulated water to scores of communes – using the profit from one
commune to seed a venture in a neighbour: a kind of
commune-leapfrogging revolving fund.
Seeing a village boy with tuberculosis last week – the disease that
killed my grandmother back in 1931, a decade before antibiotics –
reminded me of the distance left to travel. Much of that distance will
be covered in a motley rather than a rational way. But leaving certain
things to the gods of randomness is the heart of Asian psychology, and
if we mean what we say about allowing local communities to design and
lead their own development, allowing for some happy accidents would be
in the spirit of things.
John Macgregor is communications director at the Lom Orng Organisation
(formerly the Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society). Lom Orng
is part of a consortium of NGOs running After the Flood in Bantheay
Meanchey, Battambang and Pursat. The others are Ockenden Cambodia,
Disadvantaged Cambodians Organisation and Puthi Komar Organisation.
Start with sanitation
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012041055536/Special-Reports/start-with-sanitation.html
Re: [ KH News ] Price of gasoline in Cambodia
People must hard to live in such a high living cost, and their wages are low.
If the gasoline keep raising up the price, there will be more kids quit the school,and country will not have secure.
--
www.thavry.com
If the gasoline keep raising up the price, there will be more kids quit the school,and country will not have secure.
On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 5:33 AM, Ch DiBella <hopiland@gmail.com> wrote:
The price of gasoline in Cambodia reached 5,950 riel (U.S. $1.49) per
liter (0.26 gallons) Monday from 5,200 riel (U.S. $1.30) in May last
year.
The cost of gas was 4,500 riel (U.S. $1.12) per liter in May of 2010.
Cambodian prices are much higher than in Laos (U.S. $1.10), Vietnam
(U.S. $ 1. 05) and Thailand (U.S. $1.27).
Phuong Sovann, president of the Government Civil Servant Association,
said the high cost of gasoline could be attributed to a lack of
competition in the country's petroleum industry.
He said that the Cambodian government allows only a few gasoline
businesses, which he pointed out are operated by the well-connected
family members of the country's political elite. He said those select
few owners profit from their monopoly by setting prices as they
please.
"In Cambodia, those who are close to the government, particularly
those family members related to Prime Minister Hun Sen, run the
gasoline business. As a result, it is difficult to operate a business
in an atmosphere of a free-market economy," he said.
"They [set the prices] as they want."
He called on the government to grant permits for as many gasoline
companies as possible, saying that the competition would naturally
result in lower gas prices.
In recent years, high gas prices in Cambodia have driven up food and
other household costs, leading parents to pull their children out of
school to help support the family, particularly in remote areas of the
country where assistance is needed with farming chores.
According to a 2009 survey conducted by the Cambodian Teachers'
Association, 36 percent of children quit school that year due to
poverty and the high cost of living.
In Vietnam, fuel is often siphoned off and smuggled across the border
to Cambodia to cash in on the higher prices, while gasoline smuggling
from Thailand to Cambodia is also common.
Larger shipments of gasoline are smuggled to Cambodia via sea, while
smaller shipments are taken across the border on land.
Authorities who catch smugglers often release them after being paid bribes.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/gas-04092012173915.html
--
Copyrighted works are archived under fair use without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
--
POST: procambodia@googlegroups.com
UNSUB: procambodia+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
PAGE: http://groups.google.com/group/procambodia
WEB: http://www.procambodia.com
--
www.thavry.com
Monday, April 9, 2012
New leaders must seek better management skills
Cambodia's public sector lacks leadership and could use a dose of
effective management strategies, a US-based Cambodian scholar says.
effective management strategies, a US-based Cambodian scholar says.
"A country's development depends solely on its leaders," said Roth
Hok, a Fulbright fellow at Mississippi State University.
A country can either be managed like a corporation, or as a public
entity, he said, outlining the key differences in each.
A corporation, which typically seeks profit, focuses on economy,
efficiency and effectiveness, he said.
A public entity, meanwhile, focuses on responsibility, responsiveness
and representation.
Either way, effective management is based on good principles of
governance, including legitimacy, participation, strategic vision and
others.
Transparency, equity and rule of law are important as well, he said.
Now that Cambodia has new municipalities and provincial councils,
these new leaders must seek better management skills, he said.
This could include mid-career training to help them in their new jobs.
More Cambodian leaders need to learn effective planning, recruitment
of employees and the delegation of duties, he said, which requires
improving staff skills and supervision and closer evaluation of their
work.
And, he said, the higher position a leader holds, the more skills he
or she needs.
Price of gasoline in Cambodia
The price of gasoline in Cambodia reached 5,950 riel (U.S. $1.49) per
liter (0.26 gallons) Monday from 5,200 riel (U.S. $1.30) in May last
year.
The cost of gas was 4,500 riel (U.S. $1.12) per liter in May of 2010.
liter (0.26 gallons) Monday from 5,200 riel (U.S. $1.30) in May last
year.
The cost of gas was 4,500 riel (U.S. $1.12) per liter in May of 2010.
Cambodian prices are much higher than in Laos (U.S. $1.10), Vietnam
(U.S. $ 1. 05) and Thailand (U.S. $1.27).
Phuong Sovann, president of the Government Civil Servant Association,
said the high cost of gasoline could be attributed to a lack of
competition in the country's petroleum industry.
He said that the Cambodian government allows only a few gasoline
businesses, which he pointed out are operated by the well-connected
family members of the country's political elite. He said those select
few owners profit from their monopoly by setting prices as they
please.
"In Cambodia, those who are close to the government, particularly
those family members related to Prime Minister Hun Sen, run the
gasoline business. As a result, it is difficult to operate a business
in an atmosphere of a free-market economy," he said.
"They [set the prices] as they want."
He called on the government to grant permits for as many gasoline
companies as possible, saying that the competition would naturally
result in lower gas prices.
In recent years, high gas prices in Cambodia have driven up food and
other household costs, leading parents to pull their children out of
school to help support the family, particularly in remote areas of the
country where assistance is needed with farming chores.
According to a 2009 survey conducted by the Cambodian Teachers'
Association, 36 percent of children quit school that year due to
poverty and the high cost of living.
In Vietnam, fuel is often siphoned off and smuggled across the border
to Cambodia to cash in on the higher prices, while gasoline smuggling
from Thailand to Cambodia is also common.
Larger shipments of gasoline are smuggled to Cambodia via sea, while
smaller shipments are taken across the border on land.
Authorities who catch smugglers often release them after being paid bribes.
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/gas-04092012173915.html
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Multimedia production tools
to create online multimedia productions that teach.
feed the text log into Acapella
a free text-to-speach synthesizer
http://www.acapela-group.com/text-to-speech-interactive-demo.html
animated the soundtrack using Living Actor Presenter
http://www.livingactor.com/Presenter/
More technical :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WnzlbyTZsQY
http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2011/08/theological_cha.php
Related to this:
http://www.xtranormal.com/
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Khmer Community in Massachusetts USA
Khmer community of Lowell Massachusetts, USA
Situated in the north-west of the United States and 30 miles away from
Boston (state of Massachusetts) the post-industrial town of Lowell
houses the second largest concentration of Cambodians in the country
of Uncle Sam, right behind Long beach, also known as "Little Phnom
Penh", situated on the other side of the continent, in California.
Among the 120,000 inhabitants of Lowell, some 30,000 are originally
from Cambodia.
In other words, this minority is the best-represented in the city,
which settled in the historical neighbourhoods of "Acres" and
"Highlands".
But the question is: how did this town, founded in 1826 by a group of
industrials and enjoyed prosperity thanks to several waves of
immigration, become a welcoming land for Cambodians?
The arrival of the first Khmer immigrants in Lowell
With the creation of the city of Lowell came a network of textile
factories which drew to the city many women-farmers living nearby,
lured by a better offer in salaries. But the increased rate of work
and the low salaries set in a context of harsh competition soon
brought their dreams of fortune down. The factory workers' discontent
grew and gave way to serious strikes and protests which were never
dealt with and finally led these women to leave, only to be replaced
by new immigrants. Among them, French-Canadians and Europeans (Irish,
Greek, Portuguese, Polish, etc. ) who quickly found it hard to adapt
to the difficult working conditions. Several decades passed, and the
industrial sector, which was then the main source of employment in the
city, collapsed. This caused Lowell to sink into stagnation and its
population to decline.
Long after this episode, Puerto Ricans and Colombians arrived in their
turn in the city in the 1960s and 70s and raised the number of
inhabitants.
The first Asians, among whom a majority of Cambodians, came to Lowell
in 1979 as part of a housing programme created by the New England
Agency for Refugee Resettlement (NEEAR), i.e. the Boston branch of the
American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees. Local churches also offered
their help to the new immigrants, who were mainly Cambodians.
In 1980, NEEAR launched the "Khmer Cluster Project", created to
reorientate Khmer refugees towards a dozen towns situated on the
continent, but other than those located in the south of California,
already overcharged and where the mass arrival of immigrants started
to trigger hostilities.
A suitable labour force
Boston was one of the towns chosen to welcome the rehoused refugees,
first because of its reputation of a dynamic job market, and secondly
because of its cheap accommodation and efficient social services. The
neighbouring little town of Lowell, struggling to get out of an
economic and social crisis, was not put down on the list of the
welcoming cities of the Cluster Project. In 1983, the Khmer community
of Lowell only boasted a thousand souls. It is only two years later
that Cambodians started pouring into the crisis-stricken industrial
city. The settlement of several electronic components factories, and
of the imposing Wang Laboratories allowed the city to slowly
re-emerge. Khmer refugees consequently seized the newly created job
offers and became component assemblers, a job which required neither
training nor a thorough knowledge of English.
However, the economic miracle was short-lived: indeed, the electronic
factory withdrew its premises from Lowell at the end of the 1980s, but
nevertheless left hopes of a possible economic integration for the
young Khmer community. Besides, survivors of the Khmer Rouge tragedy
generated movements of sympathy on the part of their American hosts.
Help came in various shapes towards the refugees, from local voluntary
organisations, churches or federal institutions, but also from the
state of Massachusetts, which proved to be uncommonly liberal when it
came to the issuing of reintegration policies for the refugees.
In the middle of the 1980s, Michael Dukakis, governor of the state at
that time, gave the impulse to the creation of the Massachusetts
Office of Refugees and Immigrants (MORI) which helped establish ethnic
Mutual Assistance Associations (MAA). The Cambodian branch of these
associations soon became one of the most active in the state. At the
beginning of the 1990s, the Khmer community was large enough to push
entrepreneurs of the same nationality to come to Lowell and open
businesses just made for Cambodians. Today, Lowell shelters about a
hundred Cambodian businesses. One of the most popular "Cambodian"
commercial areas in Lowell is the "Pailin Plaza", which hosts a
supermarket, a restaurant and various shops. Meanwhile, Cambodians
started building their own pagodas in the city.
A "model" community
The Khmer community of Lowell soon triggered a particular interest on
the part of the local media and universities. Defined as important and
dynamic, this community quickly found its way and imposed itself as "a
model minority group", hard-working in a very cosmopolitan city. In
Lowell, some people have gone so far as to call them "the new Irish",
as Amy Stitely, a student at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, pointed out in her study entitled "Beyond celebration, the
Cambodian struggle for Cambodian representation in Lowell ".
Nevertheless, this community, not devoid of problems such as poverty,
youth crime and a low level of education, showed enough strength to
command respect among others, particularly with the development of
community workshops of expression, or through the organisation of
cultural events, most of the time aimed at provoking a revival in the
traditions and arts of their motherland, but also at offering a
positive image of their minority group.
And this is how the Cambodians imported the traditional Water Festival
in Lowell, organised every August since 1997 on the Merrimack river.
The growing popularity of the festival has turned it into the ultimate
must-see event for tourists coming to Lowell. The "Angkor Dance
Troop", which performs classical Khmer Ballet and received several
awards, also boasts a fine reputation and goes on tour all over the
continent. The festivals and cultural events have allowed the Khmer
community to leave its imprint in the identity of Lowell.
Seeking political integration
In 1999, Rithy Uong, a teacher at Lowell High School, spurred surprise
with his smooth election at the City Council. It was only the second
time that, in the United States, an American citizen of Khmer descent
won the elections. The information was quickly relayed by the media
throughout the country. Rithy Uong served the interest of the city
until 2005.
His fellow-citizens now dream of seeing a Cambodian candidate run for
the November 2009 election as a City councillor again. But this may
only happen provided that more Cambodians show up at the polls: most
of them neglect their electoral duty.
The American dream: shattered in front of reality
Some leaders have emerged from the Khmer community of Lowell, and,
drawing on their success in their host country, they do not fail to
help their peers. But the reality is different for most of the
community members, who never saw the American dream come true. A
Cambodian Community Health Study, carried out in 2002 among Cambodians
aged 25 years and above, showed that 25% of the polled
indicated an annual household income of less than US$15,000. As a
matter of fact, over 40% live below the federal poverty level
according to the U.S. Census, the study precised. In Lowell, a large
part of the community still depends on the social services to obtain
medical treatment.
The generation gap creates turmoil within the minority group, torn
between its elders who survived the Khmer Rouge regime, and its youth,
now fully americanised. Youngsters are easily enrolled by gangs, and
last August, fifteen Cambodian delinquents have been arrested. They
now face deportation to Cambodia, as stipulated by the American
deportation policy.
Most only know Cambodia through the stories told by their parents.
Deported Diaspora, an advocacy group, focuses on the question of the
deportation of immigrants by the American authorities to their home
country and tries as much as possible to inform Khmer families of this
legal disposition which most members of the community have no
knowledge of yet.
The unemployment crisis in Lowell is greatly affecting its minority
groups, while the United States are already facing rampant inflation
and the sub-prime crisis – those famous but risky mortgage loans for
home buyers. The current Council is trying to put new life into the
little town and intends to succeed with the Hamilton Canal District
Project , which would need more than US$50 million and should, within
the space of 5 years, rehabilitate 15 hectares of waste land and turn
it into accommodation, businesses, offices... Will the Khmer community
benefit from this project? Now that Cambodians have been successful in
smoothly integrating their community in this north-eastern American
town, they still have to make their mark within the decision-making
bodies of the multicultural city, to which they are without a doubt
one of the main assets.
Khmer Community in Massachusetts
In "Kampong Lowell", one out of four is Khmer
By Stéphane Janin (Lowell, USA)
10-09-2008
Friday, April 6, 2012
Chinese Dams Threatens Tribal Culture
Critics say plans to proceed with a China-backed dam project infringe
on indigenous customs in Cambodia despite protests by indigenous
groups who say the project will put their livelihood at risk.
on indigenous customs in Cambodia despite protests by indigenous
groups who say the project will put their livelihood at risk.
The Chinese-financed Stung Areng River Dam in Koh Kong province will
displace several thousand families.
Dam construction will destroy their forests, plantations, and
ceremonial burial sites, as well as their homes.
The community's ancestors had been living on the land since the Angkor
Wat period of the 12th century.
Environmentalists are concerned over the area's rare wildlife, such as
the Mountain Crocodile and Dragonfish.
Chinese companies are currently building two other controversial dams
in Cambodia's Koh Kong province — the Ta Tai Hydroelectric Dam and the
Russie Chhrum Krom Dam.
Dam projects in Cambodia are often the source of regional unrest as
residents face forced relocations and the loss of the natural
resources.
In March, more than 500 ethnic minority residents of river communities
in Stung Treng and Ratanakiri held protests against the construction
of a Dam that will relocate them from their ancestral land.
As many as 2,000 people—most of whom are members of ethnic minority
groups — face relocation because of the project.
Environmentalists say nearly 80,000 people will lose access to fish
whose migratory paths will be blocked by the dam.
Google’s Project Glass: How much will glasses cost?
Google gave a glimpse of "Project Glass" in a video and blog post this week.
Still in an early prototype stage, the glasses open up endless
possibilities-as well as challenges to safety, privacy and fashion
sensibility.
The prototypes have a sleek wrap-around look and appear nothing like
clunky 3D glasses.
http://www.670kboi.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=114&itemid=29827151
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Home ownership for Cambodian youth seems impossible
How long will it take to save in order buy a home?"
This is a question for young Cambodian couples looking to move in
together and raise a family.
This is a question for young Cambodian couples looking to move in
together and raise a family.
Dr Beng Hong Socheat Khemro, Deputy General Secretary of Council for
Land Policy at the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning &
Construction, says: "they are supposed to rent the places." He
confirm that government is considering Residential National Policy,
but youth should learn the value of saving if they want to own their
property.
Phann Chandara expressed his concern. "My salary is about US$300 per
month, so it's impossible for me to be able to buy a house, Of course
it would require a lot of financial support from different parties,
like my family and or the government," he said.
Cambodia faces many problems regarding economic growth. Challenges
include the widening gap between rich and poor, low wages, increasing
price of goods, and high unemployment rates – all of which are
unresolved issues. Housing prices are high across Phnom Penh. These
challenges are enormous barriers for the future of young Cambodians
looking to prosper in the new economy by owning their own property.
Cambodia's bank sector is developing rapidly to satisfy people's needs
when facing these problems. Oum Chan Mony of ANZ Royal Bank, said
they have a special promotion: if customers buy a home between $50,000
and $100,000, the bank will provide 60% of the loan upfront and the
customer can pay back the money monthly over 20 years.
Although it sounds good, there are specific requirements to qualify.
"Before customers can qualify for the loan, they must earn at least
$850 per month, they will have to leave their passbook in the bank,
and will have to pay 20% of their gross salary monthly," Oum Chan Mony
explained.
ANZ's bank rate is high and those who make an average salary don't
qualify. If you borrow $30,000 to buy a property at a rate of 10%, and
need to pay it back over 20 years, a short calculation shows that you
will end up paying the bank $60,000. That's double the original loan.
According to Dith Channa, a realtor, "It is obvious that it is quite
hard for our youth to own a house own their own."
CamREN : Cambodia's Research and Education Network
This is "good news" technical information for those
interested in high-speed computer networks . . .
interested in high-speed computer networks . . .
It is a very big step forward for Cambodia
being connected to the rest of the world.
RealWire, April 04, 2012
Cambodia is the latest country to be connected to
the Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN3)
About TEIN3 :
Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN3) connects the
research and education community across Asia-Pacific.
TEIN3 is the the pan-Asian research and education network.
Seventeen Asian countries now benefit from the TEIN3 high speed network.
About CamREN :
CamREN is the national Research and Education Network of Cambodia
CamREN is now connected to TEIN3 by way of VinaREN in Vietnam
About VinaREN :
VinaREN is the national Research and Education Network of Vietnam
Viettel, a leading Telco in Vietnam set up the dedicated
physical link between VinaREN and CamREN.
This new link connects the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC)
in Phnom Penh and has the potential to connect Cambodia's 35,000
researchers with scientists around the world.
This move will improve the quality and quantity of research conducted
in Cambodia's higher education institutes and research centres.
The development of Cambodia's national research and education network,
CamREN, will be boosted by its link to TEIN3, as it works to strengthen
national and international research collaboration.
To achieve the physical connection CamREN worked closely with VinaREN,
the national research and education network organisation of neighbouring
Vietnam.
VinaREN arranged a dedicated link from its network in Hanoi to
the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) and provided
access to its existing TEIN3 connection.
Dr Sackona Phoeurng of CamREN said,
"Our connection to TEIN3 comes at a critical time in our country's research
development. The fields of study that can now be developed thanks to this
link include e-learning, telemedicine, earth and atmospheric sciences,
emerging diseases, crop research and information and communication
technology. Science and Technology in these sectors are still needs
to more developed. We are very excited at finally being able to connect
with the global research and education community."
More About CamREN:
CamREN is a network of 5 leading Universities in Cambodia :
Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC),
Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP),
Royal University of Law and Economy (RULE),
University of Health Science (UHS) and
National Institute of Education (NIE)
CamRENs role is to eventually allow the connection
of all the other universities and research centres.
RealWire 2012-04-04
http://www.itnewsonline.com/showrwstory.php?storyid=7782
Monday, April 2, 2012
PPWSA stock offering slated to outperform
Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) shares will be available to
both Cambodian citizens – a 20 per cent allotment has been provisioned
– and non-Cambodian citizens. Permitting foreign investor
participation should dramatically improve the prospects for the IPO as
this will be the only publicly traded equity exposure in Cambodia.
both Cambodian citizens – a 20 per cent allotment has been provisioned
– and non-Cambodian citizens. Permitting foreign investor
participation should dramatically improve the prospects for the IPO as
this will be the only publicly traded equity exposure in Cambodia.
Only 13 million shares will be floated, and a maximum of 10.4 million
shares will be available to foreign investors. At the highest end of
the offering price, it will take a miniscule US$16.5 million to fully
subscribe to the maximum foreign allotment. There is no mention of a
"greenshoe option", a provision allowing the underwriter to sell more
shares than originally set by the issuer, if demand warrants.
The fact of the matter is that PPWSA has a lot going for it. The
company's in the business of water supply, an everyday necessity that
we cannot live without. It is a monopoly supplier covering Phnom
Penh's eight districts and also supplies northern Takmao town.
Licences to new suppliers are granted by the government, who will
retain 85 per cent majority ownership post-IPO, in areas where there
is no existing water supplier. Quite simply, as a monopoly, PPWSA is
the only supplier of an irreplaceable service without any competition
in its market.
Despite being a state-owned enterprise, PPWSA has emerged as an
internationally recognised leader in its industry. The trophy case
includes the "Water for All" award from the Asian Development Bank in
2004 and "Stockholm Industry Award Water Award" in 2010. To quote the
International Award Jury for the latter award, "a self-sufficient
company, operating without subsidies from the state, PPWSA provides
24-hour service and 90 per cent coverage to a city of 1.3 million and
fully recovers its costs as it continues to develop both its
infrastructure and management".
The financials look pretty solid. Revenues were $26 million in 2010,
up 10.4 per cent from 2009, which saw an increase of 4 per cent from
2008. In 2011 revenues were expected to have increased close to 8.7
per cent.
Over the last two years revenue growth averaged 9.9 per cent, not at
all bad for a water utility. Net income for 2010 was $7.5 million, a
13.2 per cent increase from 2009. Net income will likely be flat in
2011. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation
increased 9 per cent in 2010, and will likely increase 3 per cent in
2011. In the five-year period from 2005-2010, production capacity
increased 28 per cent.
The proceeds of the offering will be used to reduce debt, which
strengthens the balance sheet, and fund expansion, which is good for
future revenue growth and earnings. The price-to-earnings ratio is
reasonable at 11.5 to 18. However, the offering price is likely to be
four to 5.9 times net asset per share, which is quite expensive. The
company is expected to pay a dividend, providing a cash-flow to
investors.
It is not unusual for an underwriter to price an IPO in such a way
that it is well positioned for a successful opening day, which makes
investors happy, and results in good press. Yelp, an online consumer
review site, recently debuted on the New York Stock Exchange with a
targeted range of $12-$14, opened at $15, and traded up 64 per cent
its first day. PPWSA may not have a similar run, but odds are it will
do quite well.
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