Cambodia Knits: Crafting for Change
Women at a Cambodia Knits workshop in Toul SamboMay 5th, 2010
Written by Becky Striepe
Crafting a Green World
Monika Nowaczyk’s family fled communist Poland when she was 6 years old. They relocated to Canada, and it was on this journey that she picked up knitting and crochet. Maybe this formative event is what opened her heart to the plights of Cambodians evicted from their homes and relocated to areas far from the city centers, where it was hard to make a living.
Years later, Monika read about a group in Bangladesh that was supporting over 2000 families through knitted goods, and something sparked:
Monika is telling her story on Changents. She’s a great representative of the Changents mission: an individual Change Agent using her talents to improve the world around her.
Want to get your hands on a Cambodia Knit? You can find their wares online or in retail shops in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, Cambodia. If you’re a shop owner and would like to stock Cambodia Knits, they’re on the lookout for new outlets.
Years later, Monika read about a group in Bangladesh that was supporting over 2000 families through knitted goods, and something sparked:
Stitch by stitch. That is what appeals to me most about knitting. It is a slow and laborious process, sometimes monotonous, always meditative, that results in an end product completely unlike what one starts with: two sticks and some yarn. Now, stitch by stitch I hope that I can help people in Cambodia improve their situations through fair, flexible and rewarding employment.In the summer of 2009, Monika launched Cambodia Knits, which she’s financing with her own savings and money from family and friends. She’d spent some time working for charitable Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in Cambodia and sees Cambodia Knits as a chance “to reach more people, more directly with less strings (and reports) attached.” The group currently helps 25 knitters in two communities.
Monika is telling her story on Changents. She’s a great representative of the Changents mission: an individual Change Agent using her talents to improve the world around her.
Want to get your hands on a Cambodia Knit? You can find their wares online or in retail shops in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, Cambodia. If you’re a shop owner and would like to stock Cambodia Knits, they’re on the lookout for new outlets.
Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Cambodia's Feng Shui
Cartoons by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)Cambodia: Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak is located inside Cambodian territories
Cambodia's Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda (Photo: AP)
Click on the diplomatic note in English to zoom inEnvironment: Cambodia’s poor performance
05 May 2010
By E.B.
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Alain de Veng
Click here to read the article in French
In 2010, Cambodia ranks 148 in a field of 163 countries in terms of Environmental Performance Index.
Cambodia earns a bad score, earning a rank of 148 in this worldwide study based on public health and the state of the ecosystem.
The study was performed by a group of experts from Yale and Columbia University, and the ranking is based on measurement indicators related to government involvement in terms of fight against pollution, management of natural resources, but also on the status of the biodiversity, of forests, of habitats and fishing, among others.
Iceland earns the top rank while Sierra Leone comes out last. Countries in Southeast Asia all earn a better ranking than Cambodia. Thailand ranks 67, Laos 80, Vietnam 85 and Burma 110.
Cambodia earns a bad score, earning a rank of 148 in this worldwide study based on public health and the state of the ecosystem.
The study was performed by a group of experts from Yale and Columbia University, and the ranking is based on measurement indicators related to government involvement in terms of fight against pollution, management of natural resources, but also on the status of the biodiversity, of forests, of habitats and fishing, among others.
Iceland earns the top rank while Sierra Leone comes out last. Countries in Southeast Asia all earn a better ranking than Cambodia. Thailand ranks 67, Laos 80, Vietnam 85 and Burma 110.
Sacking of district governor suspected of rape
04 May 2010
By Kang Kallyann
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Alaing de Veng
Click here to read the article in French
The Sangkum Thmei district governor is suspected of raping a teacher.
On Monday 03 May, Ung Vuthy, the governor of the Preah Vihear province’s Sangkum Thmei district, was sacked from his position. Even though no information was provided about the reason for this sacking, this government official was under investigation in a rape case.
Last month, a 20-year-old teacher accused him of raping her in February. Ung Vuthy spent the night at the young woman’s place while he was investigating an illegal logging case.
“The reason behind the governor’s sacking is still not known. The investigation has not been concluded yet,” Prak Saran, a coordinator for the Adhoc NGO indicated. “The victim retained the service of a lawyer and strong suspicions weight down on this government official,” he added.
On Monday 03 May, Ung Vuthy, the governor of the Preah Vihear province’s Sangkum Thmei district, was sacked from his position. Even though no information was provided about the reason for this sacking, this government official was under investigation in a rape case.
Last month, a 20-year-old teacher accused him of raping her in February. Ung Vuthy spent the night at the young woman’s place while he was investigating an illegal logging case.
“The reason behind the governor’s sacking is still not known. The investigation has not been concluded yet,” Prak Saran, a coordinator for the Adhoc NGO indicated. “The victim retained the service of a lawyer and strong suspicions weight down on this government official,” he added.
Cambodia's reaction to Thailand’s diplomatic note on Ta Krabei temple
Ta Krabei temple (Photo: RFI)04 May 2010
By Voha Cheat
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
An official from the Cambodian ministry of Foreign Affairs replied to Thailand on 04 May, indicating that the Ta Krabei temple and the building of a cable car by the RCAF at the beginning of the year near Ta Krabei temple in order to provide service to Cambodian troops stationed on top of the mountain, - such as food and material transportation etc… - are all located within Cambodian territories.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the ministry of Foreign Affairs, told RFA on 04 May that: “The issue raised by the Thai ministry of Foreign Affairs’ diplomatic note was a violation without clear basis. They raised [the issues] like dumb and Cambodia cannot accept it. The Cambodian embassy in Bangkok sent back to the Thai ministry of Foreign Affairs its diplomatic note dated 30 April, confirming that the location of Ta Krabei temple, as well as the construction of the cable car are truly located inside Cambodia, based on the convention and map convention which are internationally recognized. We want to point out also that even the map that was unilaterally drawn by Thailand does confirm that Ta Krabei temple is located inside Cambodian territories as well.”
The reply took place after the Thai ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter on 29 April 2010 indicating that Ta Krabei temple belongs to Thailand and that the construction of a cable car by the RCAF near there is also located inside Thai territories.
Viet "fabricated" communist-style propaganda story about Montaganard people?
Soldiers in Ia Blang commune, Gia Lai province, introduce a new rice variety to local residents to help them improve productivity (Photo: SGGP)Villagers led astray by ‘heaven in Cambodia’ hoax welcomed home
Wednesday,May 05,2010
Saigon Giai Phong (Viet Cong Communist Party)
Lured away from home by phony protestants who claimed “heaven” was just a walk away in Cambodia, villagers in a remote central commune have been welcomed back with open arms.
Ia Blang commune local Siu Kơk, a member of the so called Tin Lanh De Ga (De Ga Protestant) sect, had several years ago lured gullible people from Roh and Tok villages in Chu Se district, Gia Lai province, to illegally follow him across the Cambodian border to what he said would be heaven on earth.
He had told people that it was his responsibility to take people to heaven, where they would need not do anything, but would have everything.
Ia Blang commune local Siu Kơk, a member of the so called Tin Lanh De Ga (De Ga Protestant) sect, had several years ago lured gullible people from Roh and Tok villages in Chu Se district, Gia Lai province, to illegally follow him across the Cambodian border to what he said would be heaven on earth.
He had told people that it was his responsibility to take people to heaven, where they would need not do anything, but would have everything.
Opposition pledges to show barred film of murdered union leader
Chea Vichea's daughter living in exile with a picture of her late fatherWed, 05 May 2010
DPA
Phnom Penh - Cambodia's main opposition party has promised to screen a documentary that suggests official involvement in the 2004 killing of a prominent trade union leader, a party spokesman said Wednesday.
Yim Sovann, the spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), said the daylight shooting of union leader Chea Vichea had not been investigated properly by the authorities.
On Saturday, police prevented a handful of union activists from showing the documentary in Phnom Penh after May Day rallies. Police said permission had not been give to screen the film.
Yim Sovann told the German Press Agency dpa that the SRP had a duty to show the documentary despite objections from the ruling party, and would fix a date for the screening in due course.
Yim Sovann, the spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), said the daylight shooting of union leader Chea Vichea had not been investigated properly by the authorities.
On Saturday, police prevented a handful of union activists from showing the documentary in Phnom Penh after May Day rallies. Police said permission had not been give to screen the film.
Yim Sovann told the German Press Agency dpa that the SRP had a duty to show the documentary despite objections from the ruling party, and would fix a date for the screening in due course.
Invitation to meet Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy and Mr. Sean Pengse in Montreal, Canada
Click on the announcement to zoom inWhen:
Saturday 05 June 2010
Between 2 and 6PM
Where:
Centre Gabrielle Roy
8699 Blvd. St Michel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Tonle Sap Lake
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)Tim Sakhorn, Danh Ton and Kim Muon are re-ordained as Buddhist Monks again
Tim Sakhorn during his sham trial in Vietnam
Danh Ton (L) and Kim Muon (2nd from left) during their sham trial in Vietnam after they were forced to defrock
Danh Ton, Tim Sakhorn and Kim Muon prior to being re-ordained (All photos: VOKK.net)
Participants to the Khmer Krom monks re-ordainment ceremony
Re-ordainment ceremony
Danh Ton (L), Kim Muon (C) and Tim Sakhorn taking their vowsOn Monday 03 May 2010, three Khmer Krom monks who were forced to defrock in Cambodia and Kampuchea Krom, have been re-ordained again. The ceremony took place at Wat Soriyarainsey, Philadelphia, USA.
For additional information please click the following link: http://www.vokk.net
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