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.”

Wedding

On the 10 of January, it was my neigbor's wedding party. It was such a busy day for me; my best friend had invited to have a party with her but i was not able to do it.

So sorry that i couldn't take pictures at the wedding since i forgot to bring my camera. But it should be ok cos i already took some pictures at my home. Personally, it was not so happy since i didnt' know much people over there. It should be more awesome and enjoyable if it was my relative's wedding party cos we gonna dance together and enyoy more.

To me, i think that celebrate wedding party at Phnonm Penh city is not so happy. Unlike in province and in my hometown, it is much more happy and happyyyyy as well as lots people. I remember attending of my relative wedding party. It was so great and happy. I and other cousins spent good time together and enjoyed alot. Oh, we also danced alots. It was around 3 a.m the morning that we stopped dancing. It sound unbelievable, rite? But it already happened.

By: Sokunthea

Tana's birthday party

Last Saturday, 10,Dec 2009, it was my classmate's brithday party, Tana, for her 22 yrs. It was so cool and exciting. Most of my classmates at Year 3 at DMC were attending this party. Actually, we did the party without letting Tana know because we wanted to surprised her.

We ordered pizza, beverage and other fruit to eat together. It costed quite alot of money. Luckily, we got a big sponsor from one of our classmate at Romani so that we didn't pay but we just joined and shared good time togeher.

He thought of this event cos he wished to make his beloved girl to be happy during her birthday. Even though he was not here, still he could joint this event through chatting with us.

Sokun was responsible for this party. SHe organized and invited all friends to attend this party.

Yeah, we were teasting and chatting with each other till late evening. It was a good time for everybody at the weekend.

We still smiled and laughed though we had many things to do at the weekend; assingment and mid-term review. But we still devote our time to share good time together.

The Effect of Alcoholism

Some man believe that drinking illustrate bravery, smart and bride. If a man can’t drink, he is considered not to be a real man or he might be ironically regard as a minority, who is not belong to the rest of the people. Yet, using too much alcoholism instantly effect to other people.

Accident is a common result from drunken people. With too much alcoholism, they can’t control the feeling as normal people do. The amount of alcoholic substance overlaps their feeling. Their eyes blur and they can’t clearly see what is in front of them. Thus they accidentally and instantly hit other people or other vehicles along the road. Moreover, the drunken people drive so fast without much concern about other’s safety. According to the recent news report states that the traffic accident mostly happens by drunken drivers.

Using alcoholism provokes domestic violence in the family. The alcoholic promptly inspire people of anger and violence action. They easily get mad and curious while they can’t meet their demand or need. The husband hit wife when she insists not to give him money or refuse to make love with him, for instance. It happens most to the poor family, who have inadequate earning, insufficient basic need and limited education, is severely suffered domestic violence.

The final effect is the increase of rape case. With alcoholic substance, it makes people with the high percentage of sexual intercourse. In fact, the feeling of making love increases to those who drink alcoholic, thus they rape girls, who is young or who are not able to insist, to satisfy their pleasure.

In short, using alcoholic gives three main swift negative s to other people such as traffic accident, domestic violent and rape case issue. If people still use so much alcoholic, they can make a society in chaos, instability and human right violation.

The Trip to Sihanok vile

Kompong Som is a good place for people who want to be relaxed after long time study or work. It has many visitors both khmer and foreigner. Usually, it is so crowded at the weekend or holiday. In my school, the Department of Media and Communication, normally visit here during our school vocation.









Pich Nil Mountain or Yay Mao worship place is the spot which all the traveler have to worship and pray for good luck and it is very popular for truth wish. Everyone who pass this place need to worship otherwise they will be in danger or in bad luck. The environment over there is cool because it is surrounded by the mountain. The scence is also good to look around.















O-Chher Teal beach is the most common place for visitors. They can do many interesting activities; swimming, walking on the beach, picking up the small sea creature, and seeing people playing on the shore while other enjoy eating sea food or buying sovenoirs for friends. During my visit, the weather was not good because it had heavy rain and the wind seemed scareful. Yet, it was find after that. Eventhough it was cold to swim while raining, most people like it because it made our skin not so black.















Besides , Ream is another attractive place to relax. In here, there is few sea food to buy and the people is less but the environment is really fresh. We can eat food, play card or sleep, for it has a straw cottage with hammock to sit and relax. Though most people rarely swim, the visitors can enjoy walking along the beach or going to island on another side.

By Him Sokunthea/DMC

Farewell party

Last Saturday, my school celebrated a wonderful party for Caroline, who is a core director at Department of Media and Communication. It was a farewell party because she and her family are supposed to be back to her homeland soon.

All the students, teachers, colleagues and other sporsors both khmer or foreigners were invited. Of couse, the party was celebrated at our department, in the department yard in front of our school. Yeah, It was a great time for everyboday.

Sooner after having dinner, we enjoy seeing a role play, performed by the fresh year students. It was a funny story and wonderful performance, since they could perform pretty good.

Talking about my classmates, we composed a song called, good bye Caroline, which sounded really sweet and meaningful.

Finally, it was a dacing time. We danced Khmer traditional music and fast music. Yet, I felt that most people really enjoy hip hop song.