Preah Vihear Temple

Preah Vihear Temple was listed as World Heritage on July 7 2008. It is considered as the most prominent temple in Cambodia in term of its sculptures, duration and mountainous location.

The first time I have seen this temple I was so excited and impressive It was built on the top of the mountain. I spent around half an hour to reach to the top. I was wondering how could Cambodian ancestors build such a wonderful temple on the high mountain. How could they life the hug rock and did the scuplture. In addition there are many temples to have a look at this mountain; it is various from one to another. We needed one or two hours to see everthing over because there are many interesting places to visit. Furthermore, the climate was so good. It was a bit cold and warm in the morning. While I was standing on the top of the mountain, I felt like I was standing on the sky because the fogs were everywhere around me. Finally, I was so enjoyable with the view from the top. It looked very nice.

Preah Vihear Temple was the most enjoyable place for everyone to visit, particularly Cambodian. I would suggest everyone to visit Preah Vihear Temple at least one time.

BY: HIM Sokunthea

DMC student

Public Screening

We have produced a ten mini-documents about "Recapture" for our final project. Actually "Recapture" is a short story about Khmer Rouge. It deals with people's memory about Khmer Rouge Regime. After we finished shotting and editing the video, we started our trip to do the public screening. Doing the public screening for our video production was unforgettable time for me and other classmates.

To disclose our production to the public, all the team producers as well as our lecturer have been to 4 provinces, such as Battambang, Odor Meanchey, Siem Reap and Kratie. Through out our screening, we have encounter a few problems. The initial difficulty was the location to do the screening. We had to decide which places that can attract more audience. Second, it was about the technical problem. In Battambang, when we started to screen the video, there was no sound come out. Finally, it was about the weather. Because it was a raining season, we were afraid there were no audience. What we were concerned come out to be truth. Before we lauched the screening at the Pagodat (Wat) at Odor Meanchey, there was a rain like cats and dogs. There were alot of thunder and lightening. There were only few monks and elder people for the beginning. Surprisingly, when the rain stopped, there were more and more people come to see our screening.

Even though there were a few problems occured in our screening, we were so happy and excited because there were many people interested in our document.

By HIM Sokunthea

DMC student

The advantages of learning Applied Linguistics

“Applied Linguistic (AL) is typically concerned with achieving an end, with improving existing language related-operations, and with solving language related-problem”. (Grade & Kaphan, 1992, p.17). It is one of the most necessary courses for students who wish to be an effective Second Language Teacher because the course aims both to identify issues in linguistics and to solve its problem. In semester two, there are a lot of significant courses in the book such as meanings of language, pragmatics in discourse analysis and describing individual and society bilingualism. Among them, there are a few useful lessons, the meanings of language and pragmatics discourse analysis which I would like to share to all the next generation.

Learning the meanings of language is very useful for me as a future-second language lecturer. The book in-depth explains how morpheme, word, phrase and sentence produce meanings in the language. It enables me to get the correct meanings in a sentence based on its morphemes, words and structure. In addition, it helps me not to confuse or misunderstand the meanings of the words regarding to “–nyms” words relation. To illustrate, tale and tail are different words but it is pronounced identically and if I didn’t learn it in advanced I would infer the meaning in wrong way.

Knowing the pragmatics, how the linguistic knowledge and situational context influent the interpretation of the meaning in discourse, is really helpful for me. Because the interpretation of the meaning of the words differs from one situation to another, it is a good chance for me to know how to interpret the meaning base on the context provided. In addition, the study of maxims of conversation is really beneficial. It gives me an ideal thought of how to produce good or smooth conversation depending on four maxims of the conversation, the maxim of quantity, the maxim of relevant, the maxim of manner and the maxim of quality. All of these maxims are helpful for the speakers to make the conversation go smoothly.

However, I have encounters a few challenges in learning AL. The initial difficulty is about the concept of the course. Most of the concepts in AL require readers to have broad knowledge or comprehension skill to understand it. Thematic roles, for instance, is quite
tough for me to get the actual meaning. I can’t simplify its definition in an easy way to understand even though I have read the books for several times. I still blur how it applies in real world. Furthermore, there are so many difficult terms in this book which requires me to check in advanced otherwise I will not able to understand the lesson or I will not be able to follow the lecturer’s explanation. Finally, it is about the presentation assigned by the lecturer. We are asked to read the journal or research papers for our presentation. It is quite hard for us because we are not familiar with research paper or journal. Also, the length of the paper is quite long (consists of 40 to 60 pages). How can we find the main point to present in class if we are not thoroughly understood that research papers.

In order to deal with those problems occurring in learning AL, I have a few suggestions to deal with the problems. I would like to suggest to editors of AL 401 and 402 AL to produce the book which is not so beyond their understanding or knowledge otherwise they will not be able to follow or learn from the teachers. Besides, I would recommend the next generation students to read book before class and if possible they should manage time to read other materials related to Applied Linguistic in advanced in order that they will have some ideas to share, discuss and ask the doubtful parts to the lecturer. Finally, it is a good idea if they can possess AL dictionary, since it will help them a lot to easily understand the lesson.

Learning AL provides inexpensive knowledge for us as the second language teachers for better-teaching career in the future. The course enables them to find out the problem in linguistics as well as the solution to deal with it. As a result, we will be able to find an ideal methods and techniques to teach the students in more effective and efficient means if we can absorb the knowledge from AL course.

By HIM Sokunthea
IFL graduate

The Future of ECCC

By: HIM Sokunthea
DMC
Should it become a museum, historical place or else? If it is destroyed what are the materials and documents should be kept?

There is a question mark (?) in many Cambodian people toward future of Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). People are doubtful what ECCC will be in the near future after all the cases have been completed. Until now, there is no clear respond regarding this issue whether it will be a museum, historical place and many other things. Yet, it totally depends on Cambodian government to decide on this matter.

Mr. Reach Sambath, a Chief Administration of ECCC, said the future of ECCC building and land is still unclear. We can not assume about the future of ECCC now because everything depends on Cambodian Government’s decision.

The ECCC should become a….?
Many Cambodian people have various opinions toward the future of ECCC. Mr. Kaing Chansopheak, a teacher of English said that ECCC should be keep as a court room as today. The court at Phnom Penh should move to ECCC after all the cases have been completed by adding that the Phnom Penh’s court is quite small. However, Miss. Ip Makara, an assistance at Khmer Dev Company say that ECCC should become a museum because it helps our next Cambodian people aware of this special court as well as to let them know about the Khmer Rouge Regime. Similary, Mrs. Sok Tida, a staff at Canadiana Bank said that if ECCC became a museum in order to attract foreigners to visitor. Thus, it could be another new historical place for both international and national visitors.

Documentary and useful file/information
At ECCC, there are plenty of useful documents related to the Khmer Rouge Regime. The court takes so long times to gather all those files for each case. It is beneficial to younger Cambodia people when they wish to learn or understand more about the Khmer Rogue Regime. Where the documents or files should will be after the ECCC have completed all the cases?

According to Mr. Reach Sambath, he said that all those legal documents will be formally stored at a new museum, which will soon be constructed outside Phnom Penh city. We have already got two million dollars fund from Japanese Government to build museum to store all the file and documents at ECCC in order to maintain all useful documents for Cambodian people to see.

Where all the staffs at ECCC go?
ECCC is a multicultural and international staffs working environment. As it is stated in a Court Report for 2009, at the moment, there are various nationalities represented among the staffs of ECCC, the largest share of the international staffs come from Australia while the rest are from United States, France and other countries. With the new arrival of new employees in next few months, the number will rise. In total, there are 350 staffs with 40 interns both national and international working at ECCC.

For international staffs, they will move back to their home countries whereas Cambodian staffs will find other jobs after ECCC will have been finished. These staffs could gain plenty of experience and knowledge as they have been working at ECCC, Mr. Reach Sambath said.

The establishment of ECCC
The ECCC, established in 2003 under an agreement between the UN and Cambodia, is tasked with trying senior leaders and those most responsible for serious violations of Cambodian and international law committed during the Khmer Rouge rule.

In 1997 the government requested the United Nations (UN) to assist in establishing a trial to prosecute the senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge.

In 2001 the Cambodian National Assembly passed a law to create a court to try serious crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge regime 1975-1979. This court is called the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of Democratic Kampuchea (Extraordinary Chambers or ECCC).

The government of Cambodia insisted that, for the sake of the Cambodian people, the trial must be held in Cambodia using Cambodian staff and judges together with foreign personnel. Cambodia invited international participation due to the weakness of the Cambodian legal system and the international nature of the crimes, and to help in meeting international standards of justice. An agreement with the UN was ultimately reached in June 2003 detailing how the international community will assist and participate in the Extraordinary Chambers.

According to ECCC website, it is stated that ECCC was established to find justice for Cambodian people who have been suffered from traumatized time during Khmer Rouge Regime.

It is a unique court Cambodia
This special new court was created by the government and the UN but it will be independent of them. It is a Cambodian court with international participation that will apply international standards.

According to Mr. Reach Sambath, he said that ECCC is a new role model court operation in Cambodia because 1. It adopts both national and international law to use, 2. It exists with cooperation between Cambodian government and foreign aids, 3. It appeals in real place where the genocide occurred. With all these points that make ECCC become a unique court in Cambodia.

My Practicum

To apply theories into real practice is very significant for learners. Through the practice, they will be able to know their strengths and weaknesses and the solutions to deal with the problem. Going to the same way, learning to be an English Language Teacher, it is important for learners to have chance to apply what they have learned from classroom into the real world teaching. By doing so, it gives a great opportunity for them to experience and adapt themselves in real teaching practice. As a good example, at the Institute of Foreign Language (IFL), all the year four students are obliged to do the practicum before their graduation. It helps the learners as well as me a lot to do this practicum for the future career as an English Language Teacher.

It allowed me to know my weaknesses. Throughout my teaching experience, I have faced a few problems occurring in my class. First, I couldn’t find good data and interesting techniques for my students. Because it was my first time teaching, I decided to use the data from the textbook. However, the data was not fit with the students’ ability because the level of the course-book was lower than their’ abilities. According to my supervisor, he said that my technique was not interesting, thus the students seemed not to be involved and learned a lot from my class. His comment was correct but it was very tough for me to find the interesting techniques in teaching writing class. Second, I got the problem with my English proficiency. I was told by both of my supervisor and associate lecturer that my speaking ability was a bit low. I produced several mistakes in grammar and pronunciation. More than that, my supervisor says “You give unclear instruction and it makes students confused and don’t know actually what they are supposed to do”. I confess that my voice projection was soft and low, that was why the students found it hard to follow up my explanation and instruction. Yet, how can I change my natural voice? It was quite hard for me. Finally, I didn’t have good rapport with my students. My associate lecturer commented on the evaluation sheet saying that I didn’t have good rapport with the students. Honestly speaking, I neither remembered most of my students ‘names nor their faces. It is because I did only two sessions observing before started my real teaching.

On the other hand, it helped me to know my strength during my teaching. Personally, I think I was confident in teaching. “You look confident in your teaching”, my supervisor said. Actually, I was a bit nervous for my first time teaching, but I tried to hide it. If the students had known that I was nervous and shaky, the students would have thought that I couldn’t teach them well. Second, my time management was good. Every session I could manage my time and finish it on time. To illustrate, when I assigned students to exercise, I set the time for the students and I always reminded them how much time they left so that they could increase their speed to complete the exercise on time. Finally, I was approachable. Whenever the students asked questions or got problems with their learning, I was always there and willing to help them, for instance.

In conclusion, doing the practicum was very valuable experience for me. It allowed me to judge my ability in real teaching, helped me to be aware of my weakness and the way to improve my teaching in the near future. I would recommend the future teacher trainees to be aware of a few important things before their practicum. First, if they can find time working as part time teacher, it is really helpful for them because through my observation many trainee teachers looked nervous and shaky while they were teaching. Second, it is good for teacher trainees to do a lot of observations before starting their real teaching because they can take out good techniques from their classmates to apply in their teaching. Finally, they should talk to their supervisor and associate lecturer before their teaching. Either the supervisor or associate lecturer is really helpful for them because they will give them good advices and suggestions to improve their teaching. More importantly, the teacher trainees should do what they are told because they will get good score if the supervisor and associate lecturer like and satisfy with their teaching.

By HIM Sokunthea
IFL graduate

EM for beauty, believe it?

By: HIM Sokunthea
Economics Today Magazine

EM is known as natural fertilizers in Agriculture, yet now, it is used for beauty. Do you believe it can cure acne or other facial problem?

Waiting her turn to go inside, Theara is sitting silently on sofa. By looking on her appearance, she has fair skin with an attractive figure but if we look at her face, we will be scared by it. There are a lot of acnes exist on her face. The red dots make her face look a bit red comparing to other parts of her body. “I come here to cure my terrible face with EM”, she said.

What is being popular among young teenagers recently is the use of EM for beauty. Ms. Oeung Sovanly, a manager at the Association of Health and Training for Cambodia Women and the expert in EM beauty, said EM has become well-known among people for around one year; it is popular because EM is harmless for the customers. It doesn’t contain chemical substance which will cause bad affect in the future. She receives at least 20 customers per day and the most common customers are young adults, she added.

Having been to a few clinical beauty shops, Sokunthea, an Quality Assurance at AMER company, couldn’t resolve her face problems. The acne still appeared on her face though she took around 15 tablets per day. Without any good result, she decided to use EM for her last choice. “It takes around one month to throw away my acne”, she added. Having similar case, Theara said that she had been using a lot of lotion and tablets for her face, but it didn’t help. With no choice to make her face better, she decided to use EM for her face’s treatment.

There are not much people knowing about natural EM in beauty. Miss Nita, a Pharmacy’s student, said she had never known about it, yet she added that if it used as natural products for treatment, she believed that it would be good for long term affect. “I don’t know what EM is but I think it is a good idea to use natural products to cure acne”, said Miss Chanda, a high school student at CheaSim Samaki. She continues that she usually used banana, pineapple and tomato to apply her face every weekend and it produced good result for her face.

The expert confirms that using EM requires patient from the customers because it consumes more time. The customers need to come to the expert to examine their face first and then they will be told which products are fit with them and then they can use products at home. However if the customers buy the fruit at store which uses chemical substance, it is not so affective. The fruit should be the products that use EM fertilizer, she re-confirms.

Through her experience, Ms Sokunthea, said that using the EM products is better because it contains no chemical substance and it is more effective. “We can buy different types of fruit to mix it together and apply it on our face, but it takes time and the result is not so good”, she continues.

However, there is no scientific proof showing the effective of using EM in beauty. According to the expert said through her first-hand experience to test EM for her acne treatment, the result was positive. And then she decided to use EM for beauty treatment for the public, the result has shown effective.” All of my customers can resolve their face problem by using EM”, she confirm.

Even though there is no concrete proof showing the effective of using EM in beauty, it is considered as positive through the expert and other customers’ experience. So now, It is the time for the audiences or readers to decide if you believe EM treatment in beauty or not. Try it or not is your choice.

Effective Microorganisms is the full words of EM. It is a kind of bacteria that give advantage to the body of human being, animals and plants. It can be used in many kind of sector, including agriculture, construction, house and health. It increases the plants’ growing by destroying small insects and other disease, makes the concrete building strong, gets ride of the bad smell in the kitchen and in toilet and many other things. EM is not formally used in Cambodia but it is worldwide recognition in many countries around the globe.

Young Eco-Warriors take up the Flight

By: HIM Sokunthea
Economics Today Magazine

In biological term, Cambodia is one of the richest countries in the world.

The kingdom boasts a dizzying diversity of flora and fauna, with more than 1,000 species of fish and approximately 11 million ha of forest cover. Natural resources are the mainstay of Cambodia’s economy: more than 80 percent of Cambodians depend directly on natural resources for subsistence and income. However, development and a rapidly growing population are increasing pressure on biodiversity and the environment; Camnbodia risks losing much of this natural wealth to the detriment of present and future generations.

It may sound batty, but the future of Cambodia’s biological wealth may well be in the hands of people like Va Vuthy, a master Biodiversity Conservation graduate. He said that a course in Environmental Science at the Royal University of Phnom Penh sparked an interest in the natural world, a passion that grew as he engaged in environmental activities in locations across Cambodia.

The understudied area of the order Chiroptera – bats to the layman – were the subject of Va Vuthy’s special thesis project, and the dismissive attitude on many to this undervalued creature can get him in a flap. He said that bats provide multiple benefits to the environment, although “bat study is a blank page in Cambodia.”

“Bat dropping area are a good fertilizer, that eat other insects which cause trouble to people, they can pollinate flowers and plants,” he said, listing some of the benefits of bat populations. “If there are no more bats, it could cause many trouble for many people,” he warned, nothing that bats are instrumental in pollinating durian trees, the fruit of which is a major cash crop in Cambodia.

Bat usually live in remote areas in Cambodia, Saveng said. In his thesis, he examines 44 populations of bats samples. “I have been to Steng Treng province, Pursat province and in a National Park in Thailand. It was quite hard working with bats because I had to go to remote places, particularly n the forest. I had to work at night time since bats are only active nocturnally,” he said.

The Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary in Pusat and another in the Seima Biodiversity Conservation area in Mondulkiri provided useful data, Va Vuthy Said. Still, a lack of clear information and he conditions unforgiving wilderness made for major difficulties during his studies, though Va Vuthy said he was happy to be adding to a body of knowledge that is far from comprehensive.

Another recent addition to the kingdom’s eco-warriors is 28 year-old It Saveng, a recent master’s graduate in Biodiversity Conservation now working as the Curator of Natural History Museum at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. With his inborn-interest in natural environment and wildlife and the outlook of job market available, Saveng said he decided to pursue master degree in Biodiversity Conservation, a course which only began to be offered in 2006.

It Saveng said he hoped that going against the flow of degrees in management and accounting would pay off. “It is a new subject so I think the job market will become broader,” he told Economcis Today. However, he added that conservation is a tough topic, especially as the course demands fluency in foreign languages and incorporates complex concepts. Appearently, 90 percent of lecturers are foreign, and internet access is needed for research.

It Saveng admitted that Cambodia lacks equipment and research about wildlife. “We need to take from abroad when he want to do any project about the species in Cambodia. So usually it takes a long time and a lot of effort when we plan to do any project.

Conservation in Cambodia is still a problem, with areas of virgin forest still being encroached upon. Some species are critically endangered.

Saveng was concerned that biodiversity is under threat because of lax law enforcement, and many Cambodian’s are unaware of the benefits of biodiversity. Hunting is still a livelihood in some area.

GGAC: Guiding Cambodian Girls to a Better Future

By: HIM Sokunthea
Economics Today Magazine

Cambodia has the youngest demographic in the region but a lack of opportunities often leads local youth astray. The Girl Guides Association of Cambodia (GGAC) is trying to give Cambodian girls the opportunity to develop their potential as responsible citizens of the kingdom and the world.

GGAC helps girls and young women with education and basic skills. It is dedicated to helping and providing livelihood opportunities to poor girls and women through community-based education and training, rather than institution-based education or formal schools.

The movement was first introduced to Cambodia during the French Protectorate but activities were interrupted by the long-running war and lingering unrest. In 1996, Leang Mengho, with the help of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the Girl Guides of France, restarted the movement. A mere 16 female university students were the first members.

The GGAC is a single sex community-based organization and is locally register as an NGO. Currently, it has 2,364 registered members aged from 7 to 18. Most are from the disadvantages families from Phnom Peh, Kompot, Kampong Speu, Battambang, Takeo and Preah Sihanouk.

Tan Phally, the chief commissioner of GGAC, explained that the association is divided into three groups: the 7 to 10 -year-olds, called Kantomroy (dragonflies), are trained in hygiene, sewing, English and Khmer. The 11- to 14 years-olds, called Wattanak (prosperity), are taught proper behavior, the importance of nutrition and exercise, and other life skills. Aged 15 to 18, the oldest group is called girl guides and helps guide the youngsters. Those over the age of 18 works as team leaders, using their experience to help children choose the right path.

GGAC members have participated in national and international events for youths and women in Thailand, Australia ( in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane), Ireland, the UK, France, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa, Singapore, India, the US and Switzerland. Locally, association members attend social activities and important events such as the Meak Bochea Buddhist ceremony, Independance Day, Water Festival, Women’s Day and many others.

In addition, international girl scouts visit Cambodia annually. “It gives us good chance to share knowledge and culture with each other,” said Tan Phally, who has been selected GGAC chief commissioners 2007-11.

Other GGAC activities are related to skills and informal education, including handicraft making, sewing and cooking, as well as sessions on human rights, gender and development, domestic violence, the roles and responsibilities of the Commune Council, human trafficking, HIV/AIDs and other disease prevention, and drug abuse awareness.

“We work on informal education in the community to help children and young women to improve their dignity and morality,” Tan Phally said. “Currently, we plan to establish training on the decorative skills needed for ceremonies and wedding parties. We will also set up a new project to educate young people who skip class and engage in violence to help them become better citizens.”

GGAC is an associate member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the largest international youth organization for girls and young women with more than 10 million members in 144 countries. In addition to the profit from its selling products, GGAC recently received sponsorhsip from the Development Partner Action (DPA) and the Rotary Club of New York.

ABC Offers Hope for Blind

By: HIM Sokunthea
Economics Todya Magazine

“Blind people shouldn’t be disappointed with destiny but try to develop their life in a better way. I established this organization in the hope that blind people would judge themselves as advantaged people, not useless. I am happy to know blind people can support and earn money on their own,” Boun Mao, executive director of ABC


Sitting in his office typing at computer and chatting with other staff, Boun Mao is like any other worker, despite his blindness. Thanks to the Association of the Blind in Cambodia (ABC), non-sighted people like Boun Mao are living normal, productive lives.

Boun Mao, executive director of ABC, has been working with blind people for 9 years, and has helped over 1,000 blind people, giving them skills, hope and encouragement.

ABC, affiliated with the National Resource and Training Center and supported by foreign donors, was set up in 2000 to assist all blind and visually impaired people in Cambodia, aiming to add value to individual lives. ABC promotes equal opportunities for the blind and visually impaired in Cambodia society.

In fact, tragic events in Boun Mao’s own life would prepare him for his heroic role at the head of ABC. Born in 1970 in Kien Svay, he was the youngest of 8 children, though all his siblings and his parents died during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.

After moving to Phnom Penh with his adopted sister, he began to put his life back together, enrolling at the Royal Agriculture University and working part time as a waiter and moto-taxi driver. Unfortunately, in 1993 he was attacked by a robber posing as a passenger. The criminal threw sulfuric attack in Boun Mao’s face.

“I attempted to kill myself when I realized that I was blind,” he recalled.

Boun Mao received orientation, mobility and daily living skills training from the Christian Blind Mission in Cambodia and then attended the Maryknoll Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Sarawon Pagoda where he learned Khmer and English Braille, and how to touch type. He said the training gave him back his independence, and thus his will to live.

Boun Mao won a scholarship in Computer Training and Leadership for Visually Impaired People in Thailand in 1999 and, with support and suggestions from the Overbrook School for the Blind and the Nippon Foundation, he set up ABC.

ABC, supported by the Nippon Foundation, On-net Foundation, Dark and Light Foundation Blind Care in Holland and Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, provides an opportunity for blind people to hone saleable skills such as bracelet weaving, door-mat knitting and massage. It also has short course to teach Braille literacy in both Khmer and English, runs a computer training project and has onsite Braille literacy.

ABC also has a presence outside Phnom Penh, with branches in Preah Sihanouk, Kompong Speu, Kampot, Prey Veng, Kompong Cham, Kratie, Kompong Thom, Siem Reap, Bantey Meanchey, Battambong, and Pursat.

The organization tries to steer clear of handouts, Boun Mao said. “We help blind or poor virtual sighted people with the support of skills, not money. Our aim is to teach them how to find food, not to give them food,” he explained.



Boun Ammara, an ABC administrator, said that ABC is also wary of fakers, with only people who can show a doctor’s guarantee accepted. In any case, participants must be financially independent, with their own accommodation, transportation and money for daily expenses.

ABCs undeniable achievements in creating employment opportunities and giving hope and encouragement for blind and poorly sighted people have been recognized several times and Boun Mao has gained both local and international honors. In 2001, he received an Appreciation Letter from the Minister of Ministry of Social Affairs, in 2003 e won the Takeo Iwahashi Award, in 2006 he got a silver medal from the government, and most recently, in November 2008, he received a award from the Foundation for Encouragement to Social and Contribution (FESCO) in Japan.

But Boun Mao told Economics Today that his biggest reward was helping those in need. “Blind people shouldn’t be disappointed with destiny but try to develop their life in a better way,” he said. “I established this organization in the hope that blind people would judge themselves as advantaged people, not useless. I am happy to know blind people can support and earn money on their own.”