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Cambodian Dream Journal October 2011 |
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Editor's Note
After three weeks in Uganda and Rwanda I can't stop talking to my friends back home about a terrible prediction we have heard over and over on our visit: There will be another Genocide in Rwanda, it is just a matter of time! It is hard to fathom the concept of Genocide, the viciousness and betrayal of friends and neighbors killing indiscriminately. 100 days and 800,000 people hacked to pieces with machetes! It is impossible to imagine that a nation would learn nothing from this tragedy and could possibly repeat it!
Luckily one never hears such predictions about Cambodia who has lost 2 million of its people to Genocide. Yet, Cambodians are still suffering economical and even worse psychological consequences of the years of killing. Whomever you talk to in Cambodia will tell you of large parts of their families who were killed. The young people hear snippets of stories from their parents and grandparents of the terrible times they lived through. They are only snippets because people cannot find the strength to recall and relieve those horrific experiences.
But talk we must, if there is any hope for the history not to repeat itself. As part of our mission at Friends of CCDO, we make an effort to educate our American students of all ages about Genocide and Tolerance. We do it one classroom at a time, one school at a time.
Best Regards,
Your Editor,
Ksenija Olmer
Director of Development
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Note from the President
I have just completed my West Coast trip strengthening our California base with presentations and fundraising efforts. I was welcomed into different California homes, (a big THANK YOU to the Crevello and Sinha families) . I was especially delighted to give a presentation at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino. The students were inspired by the awareness and the need for Tolerance and the Cambodian plight to become involved in our cause.
Our first student service project in rural Cambodia has attracted 18 students from St. Mary's College in Moraga who will be going to Cambodia for 2 weeks to see the conditions first hand and volunteer in schools.
We were all touched by the images of floods in Thailand, and the same images were also repeated all over Cambodia. The flood waters from the past 4 weeks in Siem Reap province have only recently subsided. However, rice crops have been washed away and the lack of food in the rural villages is more desperate than ever. We are doing our best to bring in rice to the neediest families. A 50kg bag of rice costs $50 and will feed a family of 10 for a month. Any donation on your part will be very much appreciated.
Warmest Regards,
Jenni Lipa
President
 | | Rice recipients |
 | | Rice bags and water filters |
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PROJECT HIGHLIGHT Opening Ceremony TaPang School
 
The beginning of the school year was very special for TaPang School students and their parents. When they arrived for the first day of school they were greeted by decorations, a special stage and 710 real chairs outside. (They sit four to a small hard bench in class)
Friends of CCDO also sponsored 710 writing books for children, 20 big writing books for teachers, 750 pens, 750 pencils. We also provided some food and rice for 10 Buddhist monks and 42 Buddhist nuns, who joined the ceremony with blessing the teachers, children and all the villagers.
Imagine the children's delight when they found out that there was also a new toilet block and a new playground awaiting them at their school.
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