MARIA BROWN from Acle spent two weeks in Cambodia in October/November 20203 as part of a pastoral group led by Father Mark Hackeson, parish priest of Our Lady of Pity Catholic Church, Swaffham.
In addition to her involvement in the group activities Maria, who has been involved with our charity for a long time, gamely undertook to represent Support Cambodia in various ways while she was in the country – in other words, to ‘wear two hats’! Not an easy task but one Maria was able to complete admirably, albeit with wonderfully generous assistance from other members of the group. A huge ‘thank you’ to Maria and the rest of the group for all their help and for allowing the use of their photos.
Here is a brief resume of the Support Cambodia -related section of the visit:
SIEM REAP [25th – 27th October]
Betty Millena’s Dressmaking Group is going really well. Currently seven women are working on orders from the local area such as bed linen, skirts, trousers and uniform. Support Cambodia is now funding the sewing teacher’s salary so the women can further develop their skills. Two of those travelling with Maria are opticians [unconnected to Support Cambodia] and they distributed glasses to all the ladies who were delighted with their improved vision!! The aim of the group is to become self funding.
Sadly, Betty has had to close most of her Women’s Education Groups through lack of local interest and cultural differences. She has reduced this now to one centre [Peak Snaeng] and may start making reusable sanitary pads. She has also started a micro loans group and of course, the formula milk programme continues .
Maria, accompanied by two of the group, visited our good friends Kunthea and Madame Orange in the Old Market and collected some crafts.
BATTAMBANG [27th – 30th October]
Maria visited the Women Weavers of Ta Hen who Support Cambodia are supporting by purchasing hand woven scarves made in the traditional way.They were very happy to see her and the ‘Karuna’ teddy bear presented to them last January during the Trustee Visit.
PAILIN [29th/30th October]
While in Pailin, Maria was able to meet our Vocational Training students: Tent Pheroum, who is just completing his first year studying to be an electrician, is happy and doing very well: Lon Sayet [18] and Phok Som [19] are our two new students who will start courses in December.More about all three students on our PROJECTS page in due course.
A visit to Soun Ampou Primary School [our big refurbishment project completed in July: see PROJECTS] confirmed that the work has been completed satisfactorily. Establishing a Library at the school is the next proposal – we await an application and costing for this.
A ‘Karuna’ bear was presented to the Head Teacher, Mr Sat Sophea.
Our projects at Ochra Kandal Farm ie: the Water Well and Sustainable House are operational and the cashew trees planted in 2021 are growing well.
The group visited The Sewing Centre and met the five women currently engaged in making uniforms and school bags for the new academic year. Unfortunately, there was little opportunity to collect detailed information about future plans for the Centre but we hope to get more information soon.
Father Mark’s group, including Maria, all paid for their own visit to Cambodia.
Support cambodia incurred no expenses as a result of this trip.