KAMONOHASHI Project

Kamonohashi Project

2011-01-19T10:56:00.048+07:00

Kamonohashi Project is an international NGO based in Japan and Cambodia with its mission to eradicate child sex trafficking in the world. We started activities in 2002 and have stationed in Cambodia since 2004 in working with vulnerable people and the government.

■■ Our Mission and Policy■■

A mother asked her daughter to take the job, so the girl has decided to go to Phnom Penh with that a man who offered a job. The mother has received $50 from him. When the girl arrived in Phnom penh, she has realized that she was deceived The young girl was sold to a brothel by $50.
The room had no windows, and the door was locked from outside…. When she cried and tried to fight back, she was beaten by the watchman.

Our mission is to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of children. There are millions of children and women who suffer from commercial sexual exploitation on the earth. The causes are poverty, lack of education, corruption, religion and so on. Although it is very complicated and hard to solve, we discussed the policy and programs and started action.

Kamonohashi policies

We are not afraid of making mistakes, and continue challenging in order to solve this problem.
We make importance on expanding sustainable programs.
Your happy is our happy .We will build the relationship that beyond supporters and people in need, and which can make both of us happy.

■■ Programs ■■
Income generation: Community factory project
The pilot model of Kamonohashi’s Community Factory Project was launched in Siem Reap Province, one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. We provide jobs and trainings to produce handicraft products at the community factory. Our aim is to run the factory independently from its own profit.

70 girls and women are learning handicrafts manufacturing. Giving them the possibility to earn a stable income and help their family is a most effective way to reduce poverty, which is the root cause of the sexual exploitation risks that many children and young girls are still facing today in Cambodia. Family can have stable income if adults are employed, and that allow children to go to school without having any worries.

You can visit our Community Factory! (Read more)

Support police trainings
If the people who buy children and women are controlled strictly, the numbers of victims who suffer from this crime will drop dramatically. The police training project LEASETC was set up by Cambodian government.

We cooperate with other supporting groups such as UNICEF, and providing financial aid to this training project.

Support orphanage
The orphanage “Domnom Tek” protects the children who are at high risk of being sold to brothels or being trafficked to Thailand. By supporting Domnom Tek, we can prevent children to be forced into child prostitution.

■■ Our Team ■■
Co-President Sayaka Murata
"I want to stop child prostitution"

I've met the sisters who had scars from electric shocks. That’s how it started. 　I have visited Southeast Asia when I was a university student. I've met the sisters aged 12 and 6 when I visited a facility that protect children who are suffering from child prostitution. Because their family was poor, they were sold to brothel, and were tortured by electric shocks and were forced to work. That is the situation they were in before they were rescued.

When I heard that numbers of children have died from HIV/AIDs after being sold to brothels or committed suicide, I could not help myself being so angry and feeling sad.

I felt so urged to do something about this matter, and in 2002, I have set up Kamonohashi project with like-minded people. We have continued to work on this issue in order to solve this serious problem.

Cambodia office Staffs (read more)

■■ Awards ■■
Vital voices of Asia summit 2010
The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) 2007
Nikkei Woman of the Year award in the leadership division 2006

■■ Our office ■■
Cambodia office
Address: Taprom St, Tropaingseh Village (Borei Prem Prei), Kork chork Commune, Siem Reap City, Siem Reap Province.
TEL +855-(0)63 967 896
E-mail cambodia [at] kamonohashi-project.net

Japan office
Address 2F Nanpeidai Sibuya Village 31-8 Sakuragaoka, Sibuya, Tokyo, Japan
TEL 　+81-(0)3-6415-7744
E-mail info [at] kamonohashi-project.net
Web　http://www.kamonohashi-project.net/ (Japanese Only)

Welcome to visit Community Factory

2010-10-26T20:09:00.037+07:00

For those who visit Beng mealea
For those who want to see the different aspect of Cambodia(real Cambodian life)
For those who are interested in NGO and poverty

Why don't you drop by our factory !?

About Community Factory

We run the handicraft factory (called Community Factory) to provide job opportunities to those who belong to the poorest families in rural region.We are challenging that we build up business by selling the products.

Our factory is located between Beng Mealea and Siem Reap ,so that you easily drop by our factory.You can see the girls working hard and our activities.On top of that,we will take you to the village and you can deepen the understanding of Cambodia and broaden the mind.

We are looking forward to seeing you at Community Factory.

Location
Our factory is located in 25km away from Siem Reap.
Since it is on the way to Beng Mealea,lots of tourists drop by our factory.
Our factory is Conveniently located on national route 6.
You can download the Map from this link (PDF:299KB)

Visit type

SHORT VISIT
Please freely drop by our factory. The visitors look around the factory and purchase our products. It is free of charge. (the guide is Cambodian. English or Khmer is available.)　
LONG VISIT
We would thoroughly guide and explain our activity, the Cambodian’s life, the situation of child sexual exploitation and so on.
LONG VISIT with visiting village
2. plus visiting village.You see the view of the village and worker's house.You understand more about theire lives.

Handicraft making
You can experience making handicrafts with Cambodians!

Fee

SHORT VISIT
Free of charge!
LONG VISIT

guide by Japanese staff
1~5 people $40/hour
over 5 people $40+$5/person
guide by Cambodian staff
1~5 people $10/hour
over 5 people $10+$1.5/person

ex.) 7 visitors by Japanese guide
40$ +5$*2=50$

Attention

Open

Monday ～Saturday
7:00-11:00,13:00-17:00
National holiday is closed.

Road condition

Road is covered with asphalt till CF.
Roads are not covered to the village. But relatively better.

Maximum number of people

30 people can be entered to CF at the same time.

Booking

SHORT VISIT :Booking On that day is OK.
LONG VISIT：Booking by 5 days before .
(It may be possible,Even one day before. please ask us.)

Toilet

There are 2 toilets with bucket type.

Contact person

Kenta Aoki [English, Japanese]
092-357-302
aoki@xperl.jp

Molyka [English, Khmer]
012-245-758
molyka@kamonohashi-project.net

Kamo’s Formerly Staffs In Phnom Penh Office: Staff’s introduction

2009-11-17T10:56:00.007+07:00

Our NGO operates in two locations in Cambodia: in the capital Phnom Penh and in a village in Sout Nikom District in Siem Reap Province.

Our Phnom Penh Office is the administrative center and liaison office of Kamonohashi Project, in charge of accounting, human resources, sales & marketing, business development and IT services. Our address is: 63A, Street 456, Toul Tum Poung, Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh city. All our staff members are Cambodian nationals and consist of 4 office workers, 3 security guards, and a cleaner. They are all dedicated workers who share the same values and commitment to “helping create a world in which all children can have hope for a better future”.

Kamo Phnom Penh Office’s Voice

PROM RITHY, Daytime Security Guard

Married with 4 children.

I completed junior high school in 1975, which was the first of 4 years of tragedy for Cambodia.
I joined Kamo in October 2004 and am working as daytime security guard, from Monday to Friday.
I truly feel fortunate to be working with such an international organization dedicated to helping Cambodia’ poor people and children, and I feel most thankful to Kamo for giving me the chance to become a member of their team. I wish Kamo to expand even further in order to help even more children in the years to come.

SIM SOKUNTEVY, Project Coordinator

Married with 2 children, PinkPink and Luckylux.

I graduated from Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) in 2004, with a major in Computer Science and Engineering.

I have been working for Kamo since Oct 2004, taking more responsibilities year after year. I started as a Computer Instructor and took on new duties, first as Project Instructor and now as Project Coordinator.

I am so proud to play an active role in Kamo’s mission to protect vulnerable children in Cambodia, especially young girls in rural areas, by providing them with education and job opportunities in their own community instead of having to leave home to find employment in the city where they are the most at risk.

KUN TOL, Nighttime Security Guard

Married.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting in 1999.

I am working daytime as an office assistant in Ministry of National Defense, and as the nighttime security guard at Kamo since October 2004.

I am proud to take part in Kamo’s efforts to eradicate child trafficking and sexual exploitation in my country.

I am happy to be part of a team that teaches computer skills to children from orphanages and shelters here in Phnom Penh as well as vocational training in handicrafts manufacturing in a village in Siem Reap province.

CHUON SOPHEAK, Weekend Security Guard

Single

I graduated in 1999 from Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) with a major in Business Management.

On week days, I am working as Planning Officer in the Logistics Department of the Commander in Chief of the RCAF, and as Kamo’s security guard on the week-end.

I joined Kamo’s team in May 2005. I admire this NGO for working so tirelessly to provide sewing and weaving skills to Cambodia’s vulnerable young girls, and to develop markets for their handicraft products. On a more personal note, I feel much grateful to Kamo for giving me the financial support to continue my studies. I want to contribute to their efforts to the best of my ability.

I am looking forward to Kamo’s expansion in the years to come, and also to an increased appreciation abroad of Cambodia’s beautiful crafts.

PROM CHANNEAR, Office Cleaner

Single.

I left public school at 14 years old and have been working for Kamo since April 2005.

I find Kamo’s dedication to help vulnerable children of my country acquire valuable skills and job opportunities most admirable. The staff is extremely motivated and I wish them success in their generous enterprise.

HUTH SOPHEAK (Ratha), Accounts Executive

Married, with a son, Titi.

I graduated from the Banana Center private school with a diploma in Business Accounting, followed by a bachelor’s degree from Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE) in 2003 and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Vanda Institute in 2006.

I started working with Kamo in August 2007 as the Accounts Executive. I really appreciate the joint efforts by Kamo’s teams in Japan and Cambodia to eradicate child prostitution in my country, by giving vocational training and jobs for young girls and women in small villages, in order to help them secure a stable income and protect them from the dangers of human trafficking.

MOM SOKOLTHIDA, Sales / Office Assistant

Single.

I graduated from University of Cambodia (UC) in 2008, with a major in Business Administration (BA) in English.

I have been working for Kamo since January 2009. I am very enthusiast about Kamo’s fight against Cambodia’s enduring poverty, which victimizes children and young girls in rural areas. I am very proud of the generous help they provide to my country.

KHIEV CHANSATH, Sales / Office Assistant

Married.

I graduated from Panasastra University of Cambodia (PUC) with a major in International Relations in 2009.

I started working with Kamo at the end of August 2009. I feel deeply grateful for all the help Kamo is providing to the Cambodian people, especially to girls living in remote villages. It is truly inspiring and I very much want to contribute to their efforts through my work.

Graduation tour to Kulen Mountain

2009-11-11T14:51:00.003+07:00

After 70 days of hard training, our 28 trainees, their 3 trainers, 5 Kamo’s staff members and 8 supporters from Japan went together on a day tour to Kulen Mountain. The trip was organized on November 3rd, 2009, to celebrate their graduation, encourage them and keep them highly motivated to continue to do their utmost to lift themselves out of poverty.

Kulen, located 60 km from Siem Reap city, is the most sacred place for the Cambodians, who go on pilgrimage to the mountain year round. There is a series of tiered waterfalls where people enjoy bathing. The sanctuary at the summit houses a giant 17-m long reclining Buddha and offers spectacular views across the surrounding forests.

The trip took longer than anticipated due to the rain, which also slowed the climbing to the top. Nevertheless, all had a wonderful time together.

Departure from the Community Factory Project Center

Having a nice lunch at the top of Kulen Mountain

Enjoying Kulen Mountain’s wonderful sights

A joyful group photo session after dinner

Trainee house was devastated by Typhoon Ketsana

2009-10-02T16:19:00.006+07:00

Ms. Prorn Lek is one of our trainees at the CF. Her house is located in Chhrey village, in Siem Reap province’s Kchass Commune, South Nikom District.

Typhoon Ketsana slammed into the province with devastating force on Wednesday September 30, 2009, destroying her house, downing trees and leaving many villagers injured, including her nephew.

On the following day, a Red Cross officer came to survey the damage and help those left homeless.

Prorn Lek and Sovan, CF's Production Manager

Prorn Lek neighbor

Tree on the road

Local Red Cross Officer

How to make a reed-weaving loom

2009-09-11T08:56:00.036+07:00

Interview
Mr. Khut Chork
Reed-weaving loom maker
Prek Taoung I village, Kandal Province

Reed-weaving loom has been used since very early times in Cambodia to weave reed (KAK in Khmer language) for mats.

Mr. Khut Chork

Mr. Khut Chork was born in 1948 in Kandal Province’s Prek Taoung I village, Peam Oknhaoung commune, Lvea erm district. He married in 1976 during the Pol Pot regime and has been living in his birth village since 1980 with his wife, Sraing Thork, and their five children, three daughters and two sons.

At 18 years old, he started learning by himself how to make reed-weaving looms, by using existing looms and tools he collected from older loom makers. He soon started producing looms, as well as reed mats. He later concentrated on making looms only, which is his main job, which he supplements with other works as construction worker and carpenter.

Material and tools used to make a loom

Wood, Saw, Carpenter’s Plane, Sand paper, Hammer, Hand drill, Knife, Wood file, Ruler, Square, Hatchet, Metal nails, Bamboo strips.

Loom construction process

1. Getting all the wood needed
2. Planing the wood
3. Scratching the wood
4. Chiseling the wood with a hatchet
5. Grooving the board on all its length
6. Cutting the board into 10 cm long pieces
7. Measuring and pencil marking each piece of wood
8. Scratching each piece
9. Pencil marking and carving out two slots on each piece
10. Splitting each piece of wood
11. Sawing
12. Carving out slots and placing the piece on the frame’s notch

13. Lashing the joints together at right angles to each other

14. Drilling holes
15. Sharpening bamboo strips
16. Rounding the frame with a rounder
17. Trimming to even length
18. Polishing
19. Cutting bamboo strips
20. Sharpening the bamboo strips
21. Hollowing out each bamboo strip on one side
22. Placing the bamboo strips inside the frame and drilling holes for the nails
23. Pounding the nails
24. Measuring the midpoint on each bamboo piece with a banana leaf, and pencil marking
25. Drawing a line along the midpoints
26. Measuring the distance between the midpoints with a metal mail
27. Drilling each midpoint
28. Planning both sides of the bamboo strips
29. Polishing
The Future
Mr. Chork is now trying to teach his skills in loom making to his two sons, in the hope they will succeed him and perpetuate the legacy of his traditional craft.
He also welcomes anyone wanting to learn how to make such type of loom.

Kamo's CF Project: Trainers introduction

2009-08-31T10:31:00.005+07:00

In addition to its local head office in Phnom Penh, Kamonohashi is also operating in two locations in Siem Reap Province’s Sout Nikom District, a one-hour drive from the famous temple of Angkor Wat:

- Kamo’s Siem Reap office, located in DomDek Leo village, DomDek Commune, which has 6 staff members, 2 security guards and one cleaner.

- Kamo’s Community Factory, located in Kchass village, Kchass Commune, about 10 kilometers away from our Siem Reap office.

Today, we would like to introduce the 4 trainers of our Community Factory (CF).

SOUT SOPHAN, married.
Sewing trainer

I took a technical vocational training in the sewing section at the National Training Board (PTC) in Siem Reap in 2005.

I have been working at Kamo’s CF as a sewing trainer since February 2008.

I am convinced that the CF’s enterprise is a most effective way to help the poorest families in Cambodia’s villages, by providing practical working skills, jobs, education and a stable income. The villagers realize very soon the chance being given to them to get on their feet and become able to help themselves and their family. I am very happy to support Kamo and the trainees to the best of my ability. And I would like to express my deepest thanks to all our Japanese supporters helping us so generously.

CHI PHEN, single.
Hand weaving trainer

I am the 7th child in a family of farmers.

I studied at Tlath primary school and have been working at Kamo’s CF since August 2008.

I am a trainer in hand weaving. My main duty is to teach the trainees how to work with palm leaves, in order to create hand-woven palm leaf ornaments and small boxes (SMOCK in the Khmer language). I also teach how to dye palm leaves.

I’m very happy to be involved in this project, which is helping Cambodian poor girls to get a job and a much-needed income. I’m most grateful to all the Japanese people who support people like me so generously.

VOEUK HOIN, married with 2 children.
Hand weaving trainer

I studied until grade 1 in primary school only, because my family of farmers couldn’t afford to let me continue my education.

I had to work on rice fields and at the family farm, but whenever I had a little time, I tried to learn palm leaf crafts techniques from the villagers.

I started working at Kamo’s CF in July 2008 as a trainer in hand weaving, teaching the trainees how to weave various materials such as palm leaves to create boxes, and water hyacinth (KOMPLOUK in the Khmer language) used to make bags and shoes.

I’m very happy to work with Kamo because this project helps Cambodian young girls to get work, knowledge and income to support their family. I would like to say thanks to all our generous donors and supporters.

Workshop on Human Trafficking

2009-08-31T09:14:00.000+07:00

This month, KAMO organized a half-day workshop on Human Trafficking at Chansor Commune’s Hall, in Sout Nikom District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.

The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness among local people and authorities on the dangers of human trafficking that threaten their children - and particularly the young girls - trying to escape poverty by migrating to larger cities. The second objective was to increase mutual understanding and build a close network within the villages of Chansor Communes, where KAMO is planning to replicate its Community Factory model.

The workshop ran on July 8th, 2009 from 7:00am to 11:30am, with 155 participants from 19 villages of Chansor Commune, Sout Nikom. They included a Commune Committee Chief, village chiefs, a local police officer, community elders and villagers (young girls, and widows).

Speakers included the Commune Committee Chief and 4 members of KAMO’s team.

Ms. Cheap Sean, Commune Committee Chief, giving the opening remarks.

Mr. Keisuke Motoki, KAMO’s President, giving the welcome remarks

Ms. Sim Sokuntevy, KAMO’s Project Coordinator, talking about the risks facing the young searching for job far away from their community.

Mr. Som Sovan, KAMO’s Production Department Manager, introducing KAMO’s mission in Cambodia, the Community Factory Project.

Mr. Chea Sokkhen, KAMO’s Project Staff, introducing KAMO’s Community Factory Project’s plan to recruit 20 trainees.

Ms. Suth Sophan, CF Project’s Trainer, explaining the CF Project's effective approach to support vulnerable people in Cambodia's rural areas-especially the unskilled and illiterate poor villagers and girls-and help them acquire practical skills and literacy, so that they can earn a stable income while working close their family in their own community.

Ms. Lourn Saray, CF Project’s worker, talking about her real experience with CF Project, that made it possible for her to work near her home in a safe place where she is learning valuable work skills and getting a decent income.

Sex workers seek policy partners

2009-07-31T17:09:00.002+07:00

Tuesday, 28 July 2009 15:02 Katrin Redfern

After a report condemns the lack of dialogue between officials and sex worker groups, sex workers tell the Post they want to be directly involved in efforts to combat trafficking.

AREPORT released earlier this month that surveyed more than 1,000 female sex workers called for more consultation between government and NGO representatives and those who actually work in the sex industry.

The report, released by the Cambodian Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (CACHA) along with 11 local, international and governmental organizations, said such consultation would lead to more effective policies than the existing 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, which it roundly criticised.

Women In Cambodia Turning To Sex Trade

2009-07-31T16:43:00.003+07:00

Thursday, 23 July 2009, 4:28 pm
Press Release: United Nations

More Women In Cambodia Turning To Sex Trade Amid Financial Crisis – UNReport

New York, Jul 21 2009 5:11PM The global financial crisis has led to signs of an increase in Cambodian women entering the sex trade, says a new United Nations report, which recommends strengthening social safety nets and improving job training and placement to help women avoid such dangerous and exploitative work.

The report, prepared by the UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP), is based on research conducted in April and May involving 357 women and girls aged between 15 and 49 currently working in the entertainment sector of the capital, Phnom Penh, including in brothels, karaoke bars and massage parlours.

“The objective of this research was to measure increases in human trafficking and exploitation in Cambodia as a result of the financial crisis, specifically, the trafficking of women and girls into the entertainment sector,” UNIAP says in a news release issued yesterday.

The report shows that during the crisis, women have entered the sex trade coming from situations where there have been declining working conditions, such as in the garment sector, where they experienced long working hours and low pay.

The most common reason given by the women and girls for entering the sex trade was “difficult family circumstances,” followed by “easily earn a lot of money, in good working conditions.”

Cambodia Drops in TIP Report

2009-07-03T11:34:00.001+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: June 18, 2009
By Bethany Lindsay and Neou Vannarin

Just one year after raising it up, the US State Department has once again lowered Cambodia’s rating back down on the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which was released Wednesday.

Cambodia was promoted to the department’s Tier 2 rating for its “significant efforts” to meet minimum standards for preventing human trafficking in 2008, but that trend seems to have been reversed in the 2009 report, which drops the country onto the Tier 2 “watch list.”

The report revealed that the government did not show evidence of progress in convicting and punishing human trafficking offenders—including complicit public officials—and protecting trafficking victims.

Spoke person of Council of Ministers, Phay Siphan, on Wednesday said that he could not accept the report’s conclusion that the government is not taking strong enough action against trafficking.

The Director of Department of Anti Human Trafficking and Juveniles Protection of the Ministry of Interior stated that the police were doing their best to crack down this business by investigating and led to arrest perpetrators.

Employment Opportunity (expire)

2009-07-02T09:42:00.004+07:00

Kamonohashi Project is looking for a Cambodian national, to fill the position of Sale/Office Assistant that is full time and base in Phnom Penh.

Position: Sale/Office Assistant

Responsibilities
• Sale and Marketing task
-Greeting and providing information to clients
-Assist in market research, identify and contact potential customers; make appointments
-Assist in follow up sale inquiry
-Assist in personal selling and marketing activity to promote sale volume
-Maintain and develop existing and new customer
-Assist in doing quotation and data storing of customer
• Research task
-Participate in all phases of research including development of tools, implementation, and input into analysis
-Send out data collection tools
-Participate in develop interview questionnaires and interview with the relevant participants
• Administration task
-Copy and print document
-Purchasing
-Filling document
-assist in managing office supplies and equipment
-Make or receive phone call to/from any stakeholders
-Send or reply email to/from any stakeholders
-Assist in managing newspapers
-Assist in reading and recording news’ article related to CSEC, child labor, inflation rate, and NGO meeting/workshop of (CSEC and child labor)
• Secretary task
-Translation from Khmer to English and vice versa
-Typing document
-Make appointment
-Schedule meeting
-Take a minute of meeting
-Arrange travel and accommodation

Required qualification
• Commitment to our mission, core values and the poor of Cambodia
• Bachelor degree in Rural Development, Business, Social Study, Economics, Management, or Marketing
• Knowledge of gender issue is preferable
• Fluent Written and spoken English
• Previous training in computers, MS Office, Word, Excel, & Power Point
• Positive, active, and flexible with ability to conduct multiple tasks and effectiveness in high pressure situations, with minimum supervision
• Good interpersonal and communication skill
• Strong initiative, business mind, logical thinking skill, and professionalism in work
• Familiar with transparency, good governance, anti-corruption activities
Experience
• Youth with a few year work experience are welcome

Salary: Depends on experiences and ability　(minimum $170 for during probation period - $190)

Application
Interested candidates are required to submit a cover letter and a detailed CV to Kamonohashi Project Office before Monday 13th of July 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

Phnom Penh office
Address: #63A, St. 456, Toul Tompoung II Chamkarmon P.O.Box 2636
E-mail: sokuntevy@kamonohashi-project.net
Name: Ms. Tevy
Phone: 092 398 431

***Certificate and other reference letter should not attach through e-mail.
You can work with professional Japanese manager and high commitment staff
YOUTH and WOMEN ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

7th Swine Flu Case Confirmed, Not Serious

2009-07-02T08:45:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily, July 4th, 2009
By Chhorn Chansy and Simon Marks

Cambodian health officials confirmed the country's seventh case of the A(H1N1) influenza virus, more commonly known as swine flu on Friday, marking the second Cambodian national to have contracted the virus.

The seven cases were four teens from the US, a man from the Philippines, and two Khmer.

Dr. Sok Touch, Communicable Disease Control Department Director of the Ministry of Health, said that Ministry of Health was still continuing to strengthen the health checks on passengers oat the country's air-ports. Earlier this week, the government set up a new free hotline (155) for the public to report any suspected A(H1N1) cases. The line is active between 7am and 7pm seven days a week.

Convicted Pedophile Continues With Marriage Plan, Police Say

2009-06-30T11:56:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily, June 09, 2009
By Prak Chan Thul

Banteay Meanchey province police said Monday that twice-convicted Belgian pedophile Philippe Dessart, who recently moved in with the young boy he was jailed for sexually abusing, is continuing with his plans to marry his former victim’s mother.

Provincial anti-human trafficking police chief Oum Sath said that Dessart, who was released on April 5 from Phnom Penh’s Prey Sar prison after finishing a three-year prison term for abusing the then 13-year-boy, left Cambodia on June 3 follwing his engagement to the mother, Sao Ny, on May 25.

According to Mr. Sath, Dessart has gone to Belgium to complete the “forms for the marriage.”

Dessart, whose original sentence of 18 years in prison was slashed to 3 years by the Appeal Court, a decision that was upheld by the Supreme Court, left Serei Saophoan districts Toek Thla commune for Phnom Penh on June 1 with his fiancé, Mr. Sath said.

“We are investigating whether this engagement is a cover up,” the police chief said, adding that Ms Ny’s relatives had shown him pictures of the engagement party, which was attended by village and commune chiefs in the Serei Saophoan area.

Last month, police and local anti-pedophile organization Action Pour Les Enfants, raised concerns that Dessart would continue his abuse of his former victim, who is now 16, and they were fearful for a younger male sibling also living the house.

Mr. Dessart is a repeat child sex offender who was convicted in Belgium for child rape and torture in 1994 and served 3 years of a 5-year sentence in prison there.

The police chief said that relatives of the family had told him that Dessart visits the home of Ms. Ny during the day, but stays at a guesthouse at night.

Samleang Seila, APLE’s country director, said Monday that his organization is working with other child protection organizations to prevent Dessart from returning to Cambodia.

“We attempt to have his visa denied, we regard this person as undesirable,” Mr. Seila said, adding that Dessart intends to make a home in Cmabodia.

“He has a pig farm so he intends to settle here for life,” Mr. Seila said.

Sex crimes appeal delayed

2009-06-30T11:49:00.000+07:00

The Phnom Penh Post, June 09, 2009
By Chrann Chamroeun

The Court of Appeal on Monday suspended a hearing for two German nationals and three Vietnamese who were convicted of human trafficking and debauchery in 2007, citing a lack of defense lawyers.

Following a massive August 2006 police raid on the house of one of the German nationals, the five were arrested and sentenced for their roles in trafficking and abusing underage Vietnamese girls.

They are appealing their sentences, which could be reduced under new anti-trafficking legislation that has already seen several convicted sex offenders have their prison terms slashed.

The reputed mastermind of what authorities said was one of the most brutal pedophilia rings busted so far in Cambodia, German Karl Heinz Henning, who was 61 at the time of his arrest, hurled himself from a first-floor window in a bid to escape police officials.

He survived the fall, and was sentenced to 28 years in March 2007 for trafficking and debauchery - the blanket charge that covered child-sex crimes under the Kingdom's old anti-trafficking laws.

At Henning's house, police seized vast amounts of sadomasochistic child pornography - primarily images and footage of Henning and other older Western men whipping and raping bound children.

Also during the raid, authorities rescued four Vietnamese girls found naked in the house and confiscated pornographic videocassettes and VCDs, together with film production equipment.

The four girls rescued during the raid were aged 10, 11, 13 and 14 at the time.

Thomas Sigwart Eugen Baron von Engelhardt, 44, who was identified on the basis of evidence found at Henning's apartment, was sentenced March 2007 to 12 years in prison for debauchery.

Two Vietnamese women and one Vietnamese man were also sentenced in the 2007 trial.

Cheng Thit You and Nguyen Hong Voeng were given 17 years apiece, while Lim Ny received 15 years, all for human trafficking.

All five were seen Monday at the Court of Appeal, as were three of the four Vietnamese victims, who were wearing school uniforms and accompanied by a lawyer.

"I am terribly sorry the Appeal Court has suspended the hearing again, which is the second time that this procedure has been delayed," said lawyer Peng Maneth, who is provided by Action Pour Les Enfant, the anti-pedophile NGO that was involved in the 2006 raid.

"The delay makes it difficult for the victims to prepare themselves to testify at the hearings. It is stressful, and they are also busy with their studies."

According to the presiding judge, Chaem Vicharit, the delay was due to the lack of lawyers for the Vietnamese women and men. "We will appoint lawyers for them for the next hearing because they couldn't afford lawyers by themselves," she told the Post.

Since 2003, more than a dozen foreigners have been jailed or deported to face trial in their home countries for child sex crimes. The two Germans worked as private English teachers in Cambodia. Police arrested Henning after receiving complaints from neighbors about the abuse.

Miss Noeng Mich, 16, Thmey village

2009-06-11T09:49:00.009+07:00

"Thanks to all the supporters of CF Project for providing me with vocational training and a regular income to support my family!"

Noeng Mich joined our Community Factory Project in June 2008. A single child who lost both parents, she is living in her aunt’s house. Everyday was a struggle just to survive, with no other income but the meager salary she received as an occasional field worker at nearby farms. All she could afford at that time was a new set of clothes once a year.

Her life changed as soon as she started her vocational training in sewing at Kamo Community Factory. She earned between 2,500 and 4,000 Riels a day throughout her training, making it possible for her to start supporting her family. She has now become a full-fledged straw-mat sewer at the Community Factory, earning 5,000 Riels every day. She not only can provide for her family, she also has become able to buy the formal clothes that Cambodian people wear at annual festivals and community events. She is particularly proud to be invited to wedding parties and funeral ceremonies, giving her a strong sense of belonging to the community.

Mich made a lot of efforts to learn her craft, and she has become a very skilful sewer, who enjoys teamwork and is highly rated by her supervisors. She also learned to read and write during her training. She attended our educational workshop and realized the dangers that young girls like her are facing when leaving their village to find work in the cities; she deeply appreciates the safe environment that the Community Factory is providing.

Watching Mich’s personal growth as a skilled worker and a fine human being is most encouraging to us. We want to continue our efforts to provide practical skills and a regular income to young girls from destitute households; we also want to help them acquire self-confidence and give them the chance to realize their full potential.

Mich has a deep sense of gratitude towards all the supporters of Kamo Community Factory Project for providing her with practical skills and job opportunities, as well as a stable income to support her family.

Miss Cheng Lep, 23, Khchass village

2009-06-10T09:57:00.000+07:00

"I would like to say a big thank you to all our generous donors,and especially to KAMO co-presidents, Sayaka, Kanta, Keisuke and Aki. I am so grateful to have a good job and remuneration to help my family!"

Cheng Lep also joined our Community Factory Project in June 2008. She had a hard time at the various works she tried before, in order to help her aging parents who could no longer work to support the family.

Like Mich, Lep has learned to sew straw mat, and she too has become a skilled sewer. With her stable income, she can now help her family and participate in the activities of her community. Her family particularly appreciates the fact that she is now working nearby, performing a valuable job in a safe environment.

Kamo Community Factory Project’s working conditions are much better than the other workplaces she experienced. Workers are never forced to work over time or to work beyond their capacity. In addition to vocational training, literacy classes are also provided to the trainees, and they all get a permanent job at the Community Factory once they graduate. Medical instructors come regularly to provide health education. Lep is keen to keep improving her work and she has deeply appreciated being asked to join a special tour to Siem Reap city that we organized several weeks ago, giving our workers the chance to visit a shopping mall and a market to inspect the type and quality of crafts being sold to tourists.

She would like to express her heartfelt thanks to the staff of Kamo Community Factory who are devoted to helping Cambodian villagers like her tirelessly, as well as to all the Japanese people who support them so generously.

South Korean Charged in Marriage Broker/Trafficking in Scheme

2009-06-10T09:41:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: May 20, 2009
By Phann Ana

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged a South Korean man Tuesday with falsifying public documents as part of an alleged scheme to broker marriages between South Korean men and Cambodian women, police and court officials said.

Lee Kyung-jun, 40, was arrested Monday after two weeks search by police and issued by Deputy Municipal Prosecutor Sok Roeun on May 4, said Sovandy, bureau of cross-border human trafficking at the Interior Ministry. Mr. Lee is accused of procuring fake marriage certificates for at least 14 marriages between Korean men and Cambodian women at a cost of $500 per person, Mr. Vandy said. The South Korean who asked Mr. Lee to arrange the 14 marriage certificates allegedly deposited an advance payment of $3,800. However, he refused to talk to a reporter Tuesday while he waited for questioning by the court.

South Korean Charged in Marriage Broker/Trafficking in Scheme

2009-05-29T09:41:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: May 20, 2009
By Phann Ana

Protection Cluster Group Meeting

2009-05-26T16:44:00.003+07:00

UNIAP Cambodia: News digest May 6, 2009

The meeting held at the Ministry of Social Affairs Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSAVY) on April 27, 2009 to update the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for the protection of victims of human trafficking, to overview the pilot and to feedback on the NMS.

The National Minimum Standard takes a rights-based and victim-centered to apply all people who interact with victims of trafficking including government social workers, law enforcement officials and civil society service providers.

Two trainings were conducted, the first training was held on 4th to 6th of Feb. 2009 with participation from relevant NGOs. The second training was held on 1 to 3rd of April 2009. At that time much feedback was received.

" The tool is long, 388 pages, therefore it should be shortened.

" The translation into Khmer is difficult to understand. It is suggested to simplify the language use.

" Right of Freedom of Movement of victims should add to 10 rights (right to dignity, individual identity, privacy and confidentiality, safety and protection, normality, information, services, justice, participation, decision making).

" Right to medical information is necessary. Service providers are reluctant to tell victims due to consequences may occur.

" Reconsider on response to the need of victims regarding the children and adults.

" Legal issue: there is no clear definition of the victims of trafficking and the victims of other exploitation.

MoSAVY chair, Mr. Kong Chhan, suggests all the participants to give feedback on tool to Secretariat Manager, through e-mail by the second week of May. If there is no feedback, we will assume the organization agrees with the document.

Workshop on Human Trafficking

2009-05-26T11:02:00.018+07:00

This month, KAMO organized a daylong workshop on Human Trafficking at Khchass Village’s Hall, in Sout Nikom District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia

The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness among local people and authorities on the dangers of human trafficking that threaten their children - and particularly the young girls - trying to escape poverty by migrating to larger cities. The second objective was to increase mutual understanding and build a close network within the villages and communes of Sout Nikom District, where KAMO is planning to extend its Community Factory model.

The workshop ran on May 6th, 2009 from 7:30am to 5:30pm, with 44 participants from 7 communes of Sout Nikom District (Dam Dek, Kean Sangke, Knapor, Khchass, Chansor, Samrong, and Kompong Khlang). They included commune and village chiefs, school directors, local police officials, community elders and villagers.

Speakers included two representatives from the Cambodia Center for the Protection of Children’s Rights (CCPCR), Khchass Commune’s Chief, one delegate from the Permanent Committee of Anti-Human Trafficking, as well as two members of KAMO’s team.

Mr. Higuchi Hiroaki, KAMO’s Country Representative, giving the welcome remarks

Mr. Ouon Sein, Khchass Commune Chief, giving the opening remarks

Ms. Soeurm Sayun, from the Permanent Committee of Anti-Human Trafficking in Siem Reap, talking about the risks facing the young searching for job far away from their community.

Mr. Som Sovan, KAMO’s Production Development Manager, introducing KAMO’s mission in Cambodia, the Community Factory Project and his plan to recruit additional trainees

CCPCR’s staff members facilitated the workshop
(Mr. Seng Sopheavuth, Trainer and Ms. Soth Sopheap, Project Coordinator)

Participants visiting KAMO’s Community Factory, located behind Khchass Commune Hall

Mr. Lay Chan, KorkMorn Village’s Chief , Dam Dek Commune

“I was pleased to discover that KAMO Community Factory’s vocational training is covering every stage of craft-manufacturing, from beginning to end. This way, it helps local women and girls acquire the skills and know-how to produce the goods entirely by themselves.”

Mr. Chheak Sakun, Thnol Chek Primary School Director

“It was a discovery for me to see that Kak and palm leaves weaving is easy to do; the light work is most suitable for women. Furthermore, the trainees not only learn valuable skills but they also get a steady income from their work.”

Mr. Kong Horth, Prek Sromo Village’s Chief, Kompong Khlang Commune

“It was very interesting to watch Kak and palm leaves’ weaving and sewing processes. As there is an ample supply of natural material around our village, I would very much like to invite KAMO to open a Community Factory in our area. We would provide land on which to build the factory.”

Mr. Pech Sophy, Dam Dek School Director

“It is truly wonderful that our young daughters no longer need to find work far away from their home, and they also receive a remuneration that helps support their family.”

Ms. Tes Sinath, Prasat Sornlorng School Director
“I was quite surprised to discover that handicrafts in Kak and palm leaves are being produced here in Cambodia. I thought they were imported from abroad.”

Mr. Lun Khlim, Knapor School Director, telling a funny story to end the workshop on a lighter note.

Group Discussion

Stretching session at the end of the workshop

Group photo of all the participants after the workshop

Wedding time for our staff!

2009-05-18T14:18:00.019+07:00

It was wedding time for KAMO, with two of our staff getting married these last weeks.

The first one to tie the knot was Mr. Yong Prak, Project staff member at our Community Factory, where is in charge of products sales and delivery; he is also welcoming visitors and is giving literacy classes for our trainees. His wedding to Miss Chan Malin took place on February 26th at his bride’s house in Siem Reap city.

Our other staff getting married was Miss Suth Sopharn, a trainer at the Community Factory. She celebrated her wedding with Mr. Chom Sovan, a primary school teacher, on March 8th at our Community Factory’s village, Domdek, in Sornikom District, Siem Reap Province.

A wedding in Cambodia is very colorful and filled with rituals. It used to last three days in the past; today the duration has been reduced to two days at most, but all the ceremonies have been kept. The wedding is always held at the bride’s house, where the couple will live afterwords.

The first day of the wedding started very early, with the installation of rented celebratory panels on the walls of the bride’s house and of marquees at the entrance (one for the outdoor kitchen, one for the groom, one for the guests)

The families have prepared many offerings of good and gifts. At this time the bride’s family receives a cash dowry, and the girl a wedding ring.

The couple, their families and guests gather to receive the blessings of monks.

After the monks’ prayer chanting, the parents exchange the ceremonial offerings.

The couple then proceeds to the “hair cutting” ceremony, to symbolize their cut from past deeds, in order to start afresh together. The couple, dressed in traditional outfits of gold and yellow, are seated under a dais and the family matriarch pretends to cut the hair of the bridegroom first and then the bride’s hair. In the process, she retrieves a gold ring from the hair (which actually had been placed there earlier by the priest). The ritual is repeated by other family members. “Finding” gold rings signifies that the couple will have a prosperous life.

The second day also started early in order to prepare the bride and her attendants. Meanwhile, the groom performs a ceremony alone under his marquee, facing East and waiting silently for the sunrise, at which he will prostrate three times to the sun.

The groom will later meet his attendants and guests gathered nearby and join a procession to the bride’s house, carrying a saber and covered with a traditional umbrella held by his attendants. This is a very colorful procession, led by a master of ceremony, musicians playing traditional Khmer music and songs, and the guests carrying trays of gifts for the bride.

Once arrived in front of the bride’s house, the master of ceremony announces the groom’s arrival to the bride’s parents, tells them of the gifts and asks the permission to get inside. The bride then comes out and invites the groom and his attendants inside.

A series of ceremonies is then performed inside the house:

Exchange of wedding rings

Sacred flame rotation:

Guests who are married tour the new couple with a sacred flame seven times, in order to protect the couple from all evils.

Feet washing ritual

As a symbol of her devotion to her husband, the bride performs a ritual in which she washes his feet (it is today mostly a symbolic washing, with a few spray of cologne on his feet). In return, the groom gives the bride a cash envelope, as a promise to care for her throughout their life.

Calling the bride out

The bride then gets in a room, while the groom waits outside. The musicians play a song calling her to come out.

Tying the couple’s wrists

Back together in the main room, the couple prostrates in front of monks, their hands on a pillow. The chief monk will tie their wrists together with sacred red strings, to symbolize their union (3 strings on each wrist while the musicians sing “We tie your left wrist to make you remember your parents. We tie your right wrist to make you carry on the family lineage and traditions”. The couple’s family members and guests then proceed to tie one string each, leaving a cash envelope in the couple’s hands.

The ceremony is concluded with a shower of palm flowers thrown over the new couple.The bedroom ritual

The couple then proceeds to their bedroom, also colorfully decorated with celebratory panels, the groom following the bride holding her scarf.

They lay on the bed to perform the last ritual, hand-feeding each other with a fruit, to the delight of the guests and the laughs of the children gathered at the door.Wedding party

Meanwhile, the cooks have been busy all day long preparing the dishes for the party, held outdoors. It is a joyful time for all and the newlyweds can at last relax and sing and dance merrily with their guests.

Economic crisis pushing more children into forced labor

2009-05-18T09:37:00.000+07:00

Christian Today India on May 18, 2009
By: Lillian Kwon

The global economic crisis is forcing more children around the world into the worse forms of child labor, international relief and development organization World Vision warns.

"So child labor causes poverty and poverty causes child labor. It's a dangerous spiral downward."

In Cambodia, Jesse Eaves, World Vision's policy adviser for children in crisis and a son of missionaries, noted, 72 per cent of children in brick factories say they are there because their parents cannot afford to buy food and 22 per cent say their parents forced them to work to pay off debt.

Already, 126 million children in the world are working in hazardous conditions and 1.2 million are trafficked and exploited every year as child laborers, Eaves pointed out. Sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking followed by forced labor and child soldiers.

One way to break the cycle is to educate the community. World Vision is running programs to educate children about their basic rights and on national laws regarding child labor. The children then inform their peers as well as their parents, turning their communities into a near "intelligence network", Eaves said.

Anti-Trafficking Police to Investigate Agency

2009-05-18T09:34:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily, Monday, May 18, 2009
By Phorn Bopha and Bethany Lindsay

A broker for migrant workers is in jail, and anti-human trafficking police are seeking a warrant to investigate a Phnom Penh-based employment agency after nine underage girls were discovered in a house while waiting to travel to Malaysia for domestic worker, police said Sunday. The house is owned by Human Resources Development Co (HRDC).

The broker, Sot Yat, 47, received $150 for each girl from HRDC. She is in pretrial detention for forging names and ages of those girls, all under the age of 16. However, their parents also agreed to changed their names and ages for getting job. Said provincial anti-human trafficking police chief Prak Saony.

Kompong Chhnang Provincial Court Chief Prosecutor Penh Vibol is awaiting a warrant from the court to investigate both HRDC and the parents of the young girls as well as the broker Yat, “will ask permission from the court to investigate [Ms. Yat’s] accomplices, HRDC and the girls’ mothers”.

Representatives of HRDC could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

John McGeoghan, project coordinator for the International Organization for Migration, said that he hadn’t yet heard about the case, but that it was an unusual one.

Ministry Identifies Employee Accused of Extorting Couples

2009-05-18T09:32:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily, Monday, May 18, 2009
By Phorn Bopha

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly found the employee responsible for extorting hundreds of dollars from Cambodian and foreign couples wishing to marry and plans on punishing the man, the spokesman for the ministry said Friday.

There were two couples (Western men and Cambodian women) were asked to pay $550 and $800 for processing their documents and marriage license. However, neither couple could be contacted. A spokesman Kuy Kuong said “ We need them to tell us the names of who commit extortion and the department after they are being asked for monetary tips.
He added, “Please come to the department directly [on your own], so you can’t be dismayed or extorted”.

Foreign Ministry Seeks Marriage Extortionists

2009-05-15T12:00:00.001+07:00

The Cambodia Daily on May 15, 2009
By Phorn Bopha

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is calling on Cambodian and foreign couples who paid or were asked to pay monetary tips in order to have their marriage documents processed to give up the names of the officials who requested the fees, the ministry’s spokesman said Thursday.

“Foreign man and Cambodian woman were asked to pay upward of $550 for getting a legal marriage license in Phnom Penh”.

“An Irish national who wed a Cambodian woman paid $800 to obtain his license”.

“The deputy prime minister [and Foreign Affair Minister Hor Namhong is ordering officials to conduct an immediate and direct investigation seeking for the extortionist,” he said. If found, he said the culprit would face administrative punishment, thought he declined to detail what penalty might be imposed, saying it depended on what wrongdoings were uncovered.

“Please, the applicants reveal us the name of the extortionist, so that we can take an action to get rid of them so that we can stop corruption,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Kuy Kuong said.

More illegal workers being repatriated from Thailand

2009-05-15T12:00:00.000+07:00

The Phnom Penh Post on 15 May 2009
By Cheang Sokha

Currently report from the Cambodia Borders Officers said that Cambodia illegal workers in Thai are repatriating to Cambodia; 500 Cambodian laborers being returned each day through the Poipet border, which is an increasing repatriated number_ previously returned between 100 and 200 Cambodian workers returned daily. Last September Prime Minister Hum Sen appealed to illegal Cambodian workers in Thailand to come home, saying they would earn more money and would avoid the risk of being mistreated by Thai employers. Hem Bunny, the director of the Employee and Manpower Department at the Ministry of Labor, said that it is legal if Cambodian works as day labourers in Thai. He added more that the migration of Cambodian worker to Thai is the problem is caused by Thai Employers themselves_ they want to use illegal worker because it cost less money. Hem Bunny estimates that 70,000 Cambodian workers who went illegally to Thailand are still working there and 40,000 of these been granted to work permits which ensures they get equal pay and are protected under Thai labor laws. Cambodia had pre-registered and sent 3,662 workers legally to South Korea in the past two years, 15,444 to Malaysia in the past decade, 8,930 to Thailand since 2006 and 42 to Japan since 2007.

Victims must be at the centre of anti-trafficking action

2009-05-15T11:04:00.000+07:00

United Nations Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

15 May 2009

At the UN General Assembly Special meeting on collective action to end human trafficking, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung Wha Kang said that “Victims of human trafficking must be at the centre of any effective and credible anti-trafficking action”. The human trafficking is not reduced to a problem of population movements, a problem of public order, or a problem of organized crime. In the UN General Assembly raised that to end the Human Trafficking all states and international community have come to recognize the strong connections between trafficking and violations of human rights, in particular those of vulnerable groups such as women, children and migrant workers. And support the victims is the successfully way to end the human trafficking. In addition, to end the human trafficking, a global plan of action could provide an important boost to national, regional and international efforts in protecting the rights of trafficking victims.

Pedophile to Be Released Early: Lawyer

2009-05-06T10:52:00.001+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: May 06, 2009
By Prak Chan Thul

A 43 year-old French nation is schedule released today (May 06, 09). Michel Blanchard was sentenced to a prison for a year because of committing indecent acts to an 8 year-old boy, but he was served for only 9 months. Presiding Judge Taing Sunlay didn’t answer repeated phone calls Tuesday, while Deputy Prosecutor Mak Pheang said that the light sentence was given because the victim testified that the abuse did not include sexual intercourse.

The Frenchman gave the young boy’s mother #3,000 in an effort to have her withdraw the lawsuit, they are in poor family. However, Ms. Peng Maneth, who represented the young abuse victim, said “This is not acceptable, and the victim should refuse to take the compensation. How is this meant to cover the damage? We would rather not take it; it is better.” Preah Sihanouk Province.

New Malaysian labor laws could aid Cambodia workers

2009-05-04T10:52:00.000+07:00

The Phnom Penh Post: May 04, 2009
By Khoun Leakhana and Christopher Shay

Although the accurate statistics about the number of Cambodian domestic workers in Malaysia can’t be showed, the Coordination of Action Research on Aids and Mobility (CARAM) says there are about 10,000 Cambodian migrants in Malaysia (many of them are domestic workers).
Malaysia is drafting new laws, which are three: sexual harassment, wages and working conditions, aimed at protecting the vulnerable population.

Ivy Josiah, the executive director at the Women’s Aid Organization in Malaysia, said a law protecting domestic workers would be a welcome step.

“If we have a specific law,” she said, “it would heighten awareness among employers and agents that all of those people, exploiting domestic workers are breaking the law.”

Ya Navuth, the executive director of CARAM, welcomed protections for domestic workers and said Cambodia should make similar strides.

Health Official s Outline Swine-Flu Preparations

2009-05-04T10:01:00.009+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: May 1, 2009
By Frank Randosevich and Saing Soenthrith

The World Health Organization raised the level of its pandemic influenza alert Wednesday from phase 4 to phase 5, indicating a worldwide outbreak could be on the horizon, and local health care officials reiterated Thursday that the swine flu virus has yet to reach Cambodia.

At a news conference at the Ministry of Health, the WHO said the increase marked the first time the organization has issued a phase 5 alert, signifying a growth in global fears surrounding the illness as it spreads to more countries. As of Wednesday, the virus had resulted in eight confirmed deaths, according to the WHO.

"We know the influenza is a virus that spreads easily from human to human. If it spreads more widely, it will be the final phase 6," said Dr. Michael O'Leary, country director for the WHO in Cambodia. "If or when it does come to Cambodia, it will challenge the health system," he said.

According to the WHO, phase 5 means the virus is now spreading among humans in at least two countries in one region, which the health organization identified as the US and Mexico. The highest level on the scale is phase 6, which represents a worldwide pandemic.

Health officials at the UN public health agency said that as of Thursday nine countries has officially reported 148 cases of swine flu since word of the H1N1 virus first surfaced in Mexico this week. To date, no Asian nation has reported any laboratory-confirmed cases. The closest nation to Cambodia experiencing swine flu is New Zealand, with three confirmed cases.

Dr O'Leary said since the number of global cases remains small, the ultimate impact of the disease remains largely unknow.

"We don't know yet how serous this virus will be. It may be a relatively mild virus. It might be more serous," he said.

Secretary of State for the Ministry of Health Eng Huot said the government is mornitoring the country's borders for swine flu by handing out health declaration forms to visitors checking for telltale symptoms of the illness, such as a fever, coughing, headache or lethargy. He said airports, harbors and border crossings began using the questionnaires this week, though they have not turned up any potentail cases.

"We have not yet found the virus," he said. "Now it is level 5. If it continues up to level 6 we have no way to treat it." He said the ministry has stockpiled approximately 15,750 packets of the antiviral drug Tamiflu, and has been running media campaigns to raise public awareness about swine flu.

Various ministers, NGOs and health groups are also collaborating to share information and technical support.

Health officials repeated Thursday that people were not at risk of infection from eating pork products or coming into contact with pigs.

"The virus that we face now is a human virus that transmis from human to human," Dr O'Leary said.

Those who fall ill with flu-like symptoms and have traveled to an infected area or come into contact with someone from an infected area are asked to call the Ministry of Health throuhg its hot-lines on 089 663 567 or 012 488 981.

Cambodian Men More Vulnerable to Trafficking, Report Says

2009-05-01T10:57:00.000+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: May 01, 2009
By Bethany Lindsay and Phorn Bopha

Cambodian men have become more susceptible to virtual slavery on Thai fishing boats thanks to rising unemployment at home and difficult immigration procedures, human-trafficking experts said Thursday.

Their comments were in response to a recent report from the UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking, which summarizes the stories of 49 Cambodian men and boys who were sold onto Thai fishing vessels. Most had been lured into crossing the border into Thailand illegally by employment brokers (they are sold for between $287 and $430) promising construction and factory jobs.

Lieutenant General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior, said Thursday that only people who leave the country illegally become trafficking victims.
“The people who want to work abroad, they should g o legally so the law can protect them”.

However, he added that the global economic crisis could lead more Cambodian men to be tempted by promises of jobs in Thailand.
“We may see an increase in unemployment and people may take more risks,” he said. “It’s really a perfect storm of issues.”

“More people have become more vulnerable.”
“More investment in creating jobs in rural areas is needed. “

Khmer New Year

2009-05-01T07:50:00.000+07:00

People the world over celebrate the New Year according to their beliefs and traditions. The New Year in Cambodia is the most important holiday of the year, lasting for three days around mid-April. This time of the year corresponds to the end of the harvesting season, giving some free time to the farmers before the rainy season begins. It is based on the lunar calendar and is celebrated at the time of the full moon of the fifth month, between April 13 and 15th, according to the solar calendar.

The celebrations of the Khmer New Year are based on a legend, telling the story of Thoamabal, a layman performing religious ceremonies, who is challenged by a priest, Kabel Moha Prohm, to answer three riddles. If he couldn’t reply, Thoamabal would be beheaded; if he answered correctly, it would be Kabel Moha Prohm who would be beheaded. While pondering over the riddles, he overheard the answers from a pair of eagles:

“Where is luck in the morning? It is on the face, because people always wash their face in the morning.

Where is luck at noon? It is on the chest because people always wash their chests during the hottest hour of the day.

Where is luck in the evening? It is on the feet, because people always wash their feet in the evening on their return home.”

On hearing the correct answers, priest Kabel Moha Prohm called his seven daughters before his beheading, asking them to bring his head to Mount Meru (the abode of Hindu gods) where, every year, seven angels would take turn walking for one hour around the holy mountain, carrying the priest’s head on a tray. The day when a new angel takes his turn is the New Year day and is called “Moha Sangkran”, the great arrival.

The legend is celebrated on the first day of the New Year, with people dutifully washing their face with holy water in the morning, their chests at noon and their feet in the evening. In addition, children and adults alike enjoy throwing water to passers-by in the street.

During the 3 days of the New Year, people make charitable donations to the poor, the elderly and children. They go to the pagoda to make offerings to the monks, receive their blessings, pray to their ancestors and cleanse the Buddha statues with holy water.

Offerings to the monks at the pagoda

At home, they also pour water over their elders, to wish them longevity, and bring good luck.

In the afternoon, children play traditional New Year games such as:

- Chaol Chhoung, a ball game between two groups; if one of the players is hit by the ball (chhoung), all the group must dance to get the ball back, while the other group sings,

- Bas Angkunh, a nut-throwing game, with the winner knocking the loser’s knee with the nut (angkunh),

- Leak Kanseng, a game with a knotted handkerchief (kanseng) passed behind children seated in circle,

- Sack jumping (a more recent game).

CF’s workers playing Sack Jumping rally

CF’s workers playing Chol Chhoung

In the evening, people enjoy dancing traditional dances, with the favorite being Roam Vong, “the Circle Dance” in which people dance in a circular line with very gracious hand movements.

Merry Roam Vong circle dance by our CF’s workers

Villagers dancing Roam Vong in front of their house

The Khmer New Year is a most joyful time for all the Cambodians, when they can forget about their hardships for three days.

Garment exports fall 20pc, say new figures

2009-04-30T10:59:00.000+07:00

The Phnom Penh Post: April 30, 2009
Written by Nathan Green

The Ministry of Commerce says January-February garment exports tumbled nearly $100 million from last year on softer demand from key importer US.

Garment, textile and footwear exports amounted to $3.15 billion for the full-year 2008, up 5.06 percent from $2.99 billion in 2007. Exports increased every month on a year-by-year comparison with 2007 except April. However, in March, Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh told the Post that garment exports fell to $70 million in January this year from $250 million in January 2008. A Commerce Ministry official told Bloomberg the same month that exports in January plunged 25 percent from a year earlier to $185 million. Both figures have been shown to be incorrect.

The latest figures show total exports under all categories in January were $200.85 million, down 18.84 percent year-on year, while February's exports were $200.2 million, off 20.68 percent. Garment exports in January were worth $178.86 million, down 21.87 percent, while February's garment exports were worth $181 million, down 21.7 percent.

The US is a very important market ... but we are trying to open new markets.

Keo Thea New Anti-Human Trafficking Chief

2009-04-30T08:53:00.003+07:00

The Cambodia Daily: April 23, 2009
By Prak Chan Thul

Mr. Keo Thea, 37-year-old was officially promoted from deputy chief to chief of the Phnom Penh Municipal Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Bureau by The Interior Ministry on April 6, 2009.

Mr. Keo Thea had worked as a deputy chief of Phnom Penh's top anti-human trafficking for 6 years. During working time, he had claimed to have arrested about 40 foreign nationals and hundrens of Cambodias who were involved in the sexual abuse of children.

"If they still try to have sex with Cambodian children in Cambodia, they must be arrested and prosecuted." he warned.

Workers in Thailand not under threat: Government

2009-04-22T09:59:00.001+07:00

Phnom Penh Post: April 22, 2009
By May Kunmakara

GOVERNMENT officials said Tuesday that unrest and an economic slowdown in Thailand would not impact working conditions for legal migrant laborers there, despite warnings to avoid Bangkok.

Oum Mean, secretary of state at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, said: "We are not so worried about that [Thai unrest].... However, I am not sure about illegal migrants, if they have problems or not."

Koy Kuong, spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government had encouraged people in need of help in Thailand to come to the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok but that they had not heard of laborers in need of aid, adding that some migrant workers might not seek help from the embassy and would instead likely try to contact family members.

The president of the Cambodian Recruitment Agency (CRA), An Bun Hak, said that Cambodia agreed to send laborers to Thailand in 2003 and had started doing so in 2005.

There are 8,231 legal Cambodian migrants in Thailand, said An Bun Hak, a figure dwarfed by the number of illegal migrants estimated at between 60,000 and 200,000.

Despite government assurances, one migrant recruitment agency in Cambodia said Thailand had become unsafe.

Sok Chanpheakdey, president of Philimore Cambodia Company, said he no longer sends Cambodians to work in Thailand.

"They [migrant workers in Thailand] receive low pay and have poor working conditions," he added.

Staff's ENGAGEMENT ceremony

2009-04-21T08:59:00.010+07:00

One of our Phnom Penh office staff members, Miss Voeurnvy Vathanakrath, celebrated her engagement to Mr. Un Rithy, a company’s employee, on March 8th.

In Cambodia, an engagement ceremony is usually held several months prior to the wedding, the date of which depends on the season, the harvest time, the period of the monks’ retreat, when they are unavailable, the wait for an auspicious day… In Miss Vathanakrath’s case, her wedding will be held in November.

On their formal engagement day, the future groom arrives with his parents to his bride’s house.

The bride’s house is decorated with celebratory panels.

The groom’s family brings gifts of fruits, cooked dishes, and cakes for friends and relatives of both families.

The fiancés will wear their engagement ring for the first time.

They receive the blessings of the monks. The couple must vow to their respective families to never break Khmer precepts and traditions. Otherwise, each family can cancel or break up the engagement.

The ceremony is followed by a reception hosted by the bride’s family for the couple’s relatives and friends. It was a most joyful time for all of us!

Community fights fire on March 18, 2009

2009-03-19T15:11:00.006+07:00

Fifteen houses and 27 motorbikes were gutted early Wednesday by a 100-minute fire that swept through street 338 in Phnom Penh’s Toul Tompoung II commune behind Kamo Phnom Penh office. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but the commune chief said he suspected it could have been the result of unattended incense sticks, as Wednesday was a Buddhist holiday. He also blamed early morning traffic for delaying the arrival of fire trucks dispatched o put down the blaze.

Construction workers were standing and seeing the fire on the uncompleted building.

Video clip about Fire

Shampoo session for our Community Factory trainees

2009-02-25T14:27:00.007+07:00

Lice are a common problem in developing countries, especially in rural areas. We realized that many of our trainees were infected with the parasitic insect, as they were constantly scratching their head and complaining of itchy and irritated scalps.

No matter how often they wash their hair, they cannot get rid of the pesky lice, which they repeatedly catch from their siblings at home, where everything is shared, including clothing, bedding, combs and brushes and other personal items.

We decided to take the matter in our hands by organizing a special shampoo session for all our trainees on February 18.

Mr. Som Sovan, our Production Development Manager, collected packs of medicated shampoo produced by a local NGO and he guided the trainees throughout the process.

Shampoo session in front of our training center

LICEBAR is a very effective lice removal shampoo that is produced by a local NGO in Cambodia.

Each individual pack is good for one treatment per person.

Our 26 trainees are busy washing and inspecting each other’s hair.

KAK (REED) plants in Cambodia

2009-02-05T11:29:00.052+07:00

Reed (Kak in the Khmer language) is a plant that grows in marshy, wet areas; its stem is used in various ways.

There are two varieties of reed in Cambodia: the early-season reed and the late-season reed. The early-season reed is softer and its seeds bigger than the late-season reed; farmers prefer to plant early-season reed because it grows faster and is ready for harvest in less than 2 months.
A reed plant reaches 1.3 to 1.5 meter in height. Farmers seed reed plants with ripe seeds, usually in September, after the seasonal floods. A month later, the reed seedling is pulled out and transplanted.

Less than a month later, the reed plant is harvested.

After the harvest, the leaves and flowers are chopped off and the stems are individually sorted according to their height.

Each stem is trimmed with a special tool into thinner strands and let to dry outdoors.

The dry stems are then dyed.

In Cambodia, reed is traditionally weaved into mat for use as floor covering.
However, the material is now increasingly used to manufacture a variety of handy items sold as souvenirs, such as bag, purse, thong sandals, key ring, pen case, book cover, make-up pouch, cell phone case, as well as pretty household items such as luncheon mat, coaster, wall hanging screen, tissue box and basket.

KAK Weaving Course

2009-01-06T16:15:00.012+07:00

KAK is the Cambodian name for REED. Our Kak weaving course was launched on December 15th, 2008, with 8 workers; we are now recruiting between 4 to 6 trainees for the course.The purpose of this new program is to upgrade the quality of the mat weaving process, in order to create the best possible articles for sale as souvenirs.

Interview of a prospective worker for our KAK weaving course

Tying straw mat threads for weaving

Sorting out each stalk individually according to thickness

Weaving KAK

Iron pot and stove for KAK dyeing

Graduation Visit to Siem Reap

2009-01-06T14:16:00.019+07:00

After 70 days of hard training, our 23 trainees, their 3 trainers and 5 Kamo’s staff members went to Siem Reap for a day tour of the city where the temples of Angkor are located. They visited Angkor Thom, one of the Baray temples, the Cambodia Culture Village, as well as the Old Market and the Lucky shopping mall to inspect the crafts being sold. This trip was organized on November 29th, 2008, to celebrate their graduation, encourage them and keep them highly motivated to continue to do their utmost to lift themselves out of poverty. It gave them the chance to see for themselves the kind of handicrafts that are offered to the tourists coming to see the temples of Angkor.

Departure from the Community Factory Project Center

Visit of the ancient Khmer city of Angkor Thom

Inspection of souvenirs on sale at Siem Reap’s Old Market

Visit of Lucky shopping mall. It was the first time for our trainees to ride an escalator! What a challenge!

Exchange of impressions and ideas on the items displayed at the market

Exchange of impressions and ideas on the items displayed at the market

Visit of Siem Reap’s Cambodia Culture Village

At the Culture Village

Having a good time at Sampov Meas restaurant

Back home after dinner

Process of making a small basket with palm leaves

2008-12-11T10:45:00.020+07:00

Cambodia is rich in natural resources. The palm tree is one of them. All the parts of the palm tree are put to use by the villagers to produce palm boat, palm house, palm cake, palm sugar, palm wine, and so on. This time, we would like to show you how they create a small basket with palm leaves.
1. Firstly, gather palm leaves and chop off the cob 2. Secondly, split the palm leaves into long thin strips 3. Thirdly, dry the palm leaves strips in the sun for about 2 or 3 days, depending on the weather
4. Fourthly, dye the strips in a color of your choice and dry again in the sun for 24 hours 5. Finally, weave the dyed trips into a small basket

Visit to our Center

2008-11-25T16:47:00.008+07:00

Kamonohashi Project’s Community Factory Center is opened to visitors willing to learn more about our activities to support the poor villagers. Visitors are greeted warmly by our trainees who are happy to explain how they are learning their craft and show them the process, which our visitors can try by themselves for an unforgettable hands-on experience. A visit to the trainee’s house is organized afterwards, to see how the villagers live. It is a most gratifying time for our trainees who feel much encouraged when they see the interest shown by our guests in the crafts they produce.

A visitor getting explanations about our Kak products

Members of a study tour from Japan visiting a trainee’s house

Happy time between the study tour members and our trainees

Inauguration ceremony of Community Factory's new center

2008-11-03T10:42:00.038+07:00

Kamonohashi's new Community Factory in Khcha commune in Sout Nikom district, Siem Reap province, was inaugurated on August 29, 2008. At the same time, a graduation ceremony was held for the 12 trainees who successfully completed our first reed (KAK in Khmer) sewing training course. Sout Nikom District's Governor and local officials, including police representatives, attended the ceremony.

Mr. Higuchi gave a speech to thank to a good cooperation from commune chief, councils and district chief and thanks for commune land contributing to Kamonohashi Project to implement CF project in Kchass commune.

Sort Nikom District's Governor congratulating to graduates. He felt very happy that the trainees could acquire a skill that allows them to earn money to support their families and lift themselves out of poverty.

Miss Van Khhen, speaking on behalf of the 12 graduates, express her thanks to Kamonohashi and the local authorities for providing theis vocational training to them.

Trainer: Ms. Suth Sophan

2008-11-03T09:37:00.021+07:00

Ms. Suth Sophan, 27 years old, is in charge of the Community Factory’s straw mat sewing training. She was born and lives in a village next to Kchas with her brother and mother. She had a small sewing business at home when Kamonohashi recruited her. She decided to leave her own business in order to help other poor women in the village by contributing her sewing skill at the Community Factory. She can be considered as an excellent local resource in our mission to lift small Cambodian communities out of poverty.

Although she has good sewing skills, Suth Sophan had never sewed straw mat before. She had to train herself first, with the help of other staff members. A quick learner with a high motivation, it took her only one month for her to master the process and start producing items of good quality.

The first straw mat sewing class started on June 2nd. Suth Sophan is the only trainer at the center and she did her best to teach the craft to her class of 12 trainees. She was elated that all of them completed the course successfully and became able to produce straw mat items on their own. Kamonohashi feels blessed to have such fine human being collaborating with us.

Trainee: Mom Khloak

2008-10-24T11:00:00.011+07:00

Mom Khloak is one of our screw pine and water hyacinth weaving trainees (respectively called ROMCHECK and KOMPLOAK in the Khmer language).

13 years old, she had to quit school, due to her family's dire situation. Khloak and her younger sister went to live with relatives after the dead of their parents. They made her work in their rice field, look after the cow and do house chores. When we invited her to get training at our Community Factory, her relatives refused at first, fearing they would lose a valuable unpaid worker. After patient negotiations, they finally relented and allowed Khloak to join our trainees.

Now, Khloak is attending our water hyacinth weaving course, together with 12 other trainees. She receives a daily food allowance of 3,500Riel during her training. She will complete the training course at the end of November 2008 and will become a full-fledged worker, earning one dollar or more a day.

Trainee: Van Khhen

2008-10-24T09:55:00.007+07:00

Van Khhen is 25 years old. She too comes from a destitute family consisting of her aged mother, 3 nephews and Khhen. She had to quit school at 7 years old to earn money to support her family, working as a housemaid in town; she also had to work on the family's family farm while her mother was sick. Khhen had hoped to be able to provide for her nephews' education but it proved impossible due to her family's difficult circumstances.

Khhen was selected to joint our reed-sewing training course in June. As she lives 5 kilometers away, we lent her a bicycle to help her commute more easily. Learning the craft together with 14 other trainees, Khhen proved to be a well-behaved and most helpful person. She completed her training couse in Auguest, and is now applying her skills in creating reed products such as book covers, handbags, and home decoration items. She is now working full time at our Community Factory, earning at least one dollar a day. She no longer has to commute to the town to work as a housemaid. Furthermore, she has learned how to work in team, report to managers, supervise her team and check for quality improvement.

She can now support the education of her 3 nephews and take care of her elderly mother after work.

Trainee: Neng Mech

2008-10-24T09:55:00.006+07:00

Neng Mech, 16 years old, comes from poor family in the village. Her parents passed away when she was very young and she is now living with her sister and brother-in-law. She had to leave school at 10 years old to take care her grandma and do house work. She also migrated to another district to perform seasonal bean farming work.

We recruited Mech for our reed-sewing course, and we were delighted to discover how dedicated, polite and friendly person she is. She too has become a full-fledged worker, earning one dollar a day at our Community Factory, and she no loger depends on seasonal farming work far away from her village.