SOWING THE SEEDS OF A NEW TOMORROW

for Cambodia • Number 127 : Autumn Issue 2004

In this issue:- Youth Team 2005 Visit Orthodontic Project The Persecuted Church

Youth Team Members (see page 6)

Two of the Orthodontic Team (see page 10) SAO Cambodia Editorial: Registered Name: Southeast Asian Outreach UK Charity Number: 293382 I am writing this from a rain lashed beach guest house in Sihanoukville. The Youth Team have survived the leech UK HEADQUARTERS infested jungle but now have to put up with a tropical SAO Cambodia, Bawtry Hall, Bawtry, downpour lasting several days. This is our rest and Doncaster, DN10 6JH, UK recuperation after the labours and travel of the past few weeks! Executive Director: Geoff Collett It has been helpful to me to see things through the eyes of e-mail: [email protected] newcomers to Cambodia as I tried to explain the successes and Telephone: 01302-714004 failures of our work and the life of the national Church. Fax: 01302-710027 e-mail: [email protected] In the jungle the dense foliage and the teeming rain meant Web address: www.saocambodia.org we couldn’t see the trail ahead for more than two or three Operations Director: Ivor Greer meters. We were preoccupied with trying to avoid the hazards [email protected] of the ants, leeches and spiders with no real thought for the SAO Cambodia, c/o ICC, PO Box 612, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. direction. We trusted the guide (and the GPS!) to get us out. Often in our Christian life and service for Him we struggle to Tel: +855 23 215200 email: [email protected] see the direction and the ground gained, preoccupied by the SAO Field Facilitator: Sarah Chhin immediate issues. Sometimes it is good to have the benefit of a trusted friend’s viewpoint to regain our perspective and see TRUSTEES where the Lord is taking us. David Adams, Andrew Au, Rev Andrew Bridgen, Dr Peter Brierley, Keith Bushell, Denzil Jarvis, Peter Redman, Sue Stevens, Rev John Wallis. Geoff Collett GENERAL INFORMATION SAO Cambodia is an evangelical inter-denominational mission and development agency, founded in 1973 by Major Taing Chhirc of the Cambodian Evangelical Church. The Object is to promote the Christian faith and relieve poverty and distress among the peoples of SAO Cambodia 2005 Southeast Asia. Work is now solely amongst Cambodians. Dates for your diary SAO Cambodia is a member of International Co-operation Cambodia (ICC), Global Connections, the Evangelical Fellowship of Cambodia ● Mission Awareness Visit – February 2005 (EFC) and British NGO's for Development (BOND). Once again John Heard is planning to lead a Mission Awareness visit to Cambodia in the middle two weeks of VISION for Cambodia: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. News February 2005. Check out the website for comments from for Praise and Prayer is issued with VISION magazine those who have been before. An opportunity not to be DONATIONS missed. Final dates and costs will depend on numbers – We rely on God to meet our needs through gifts from Churches, contact the Bawtry office or [email protected] for individual supporters and funding agencies and events. All donations further details. are acknowledged unless otherwise requested. General gifts may be allocated to the greatest need, although donors can indicate a ● Spring Conference – 11th to 13th March 2005 at preference. Funds given for a specific appeal will be used for that High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire. There purpose. will be speakers from Cambodia and Khmer visitors and We invite individual donors who pay UK tax to complete a Gift Aid Declaration Form (obtainable from the Bawtry Office). This will participants. One of the speakers will be Wati Longkumer enable us to claim back from the Inland Revenue tax already paid (see Vision 126). Thanks to all who suggested accommodation for (currently 28% of the gift). Cheques should be made payable to him and his family. We praise God that they will now be based at “SAO Cambodia” and sent to the Bawtry Office. Redcliffe College, Gloucester (see www.redcliffe.org). BANKERS Costs from £110 with early booking rates from £99 National Westminster Bank Plc, 23, Market Street, Plan to be there. Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6JL, UK. Current A/c: 69404054; Sort Code: 60-02-50 A/c name: SAO Cambodia Kanjahn’s visit AUDITORS Didi & Mimi Kanjahn will be Mazars , Mazars House, Gildersome, Leeds, LS27 7JN in the UK for a week in September. Regular readers may recall their story SAO Cambodia, Bawtry Hall, Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6JH in VISION 119 (Summer 2002). Didi is Tel: 01302-714004; Email: [email protected] a chemist from Germany and Mimi Web site: www.saocambodia.org a teacher from Australia. They are seconded through our ICC Partners SIL to work with the Bunong people in Mondulkiri – the most easterly province of Cambodia. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to meet them, hear about God’s work in their lives and learn about the Bunong (one of Cambodia’s “Minority” Hill Tribes). For details SAO Cambodia is working in partnership in Cambodia with four other missions as part of of venues contact the office, or check on the website. International Co-operation Cambodia (ICC) Front Cover Main Photo: courtesy Geoff Collett

2 | No. 127 Autumn 2004 PEOPLE AND STORIES KIM SAN Who works for ICC in the finance department.

Kim San was born in 1959. Her whole family were Christians and she was converted at the age of 14. Her spiritual mentor and leader of her home group was Chhirc Taing, whom SAO Cambodia treats as their spiritual founder. His visit to Keswick and call to pray for Cambodia before his martyrdom led to the founding of SAO Cambodia.

Kim San remembers the day that the Khmer Rouge came into Phnom Penh. There was no electricity. She knew that they were lying when they said that people would only need to be way from their homes for three days. There was like a Kim San (2nd from right), her mother, sister and niece. darkness surrounding them. Her family physically tied themselves and a river. The scenery reminded Christians and was a witness to to each other so that they would Kim of the words of Psalm 23. them. not be separated in the crowd of She wrote this psalm down from marching people as they travelled memory before she forgot it. They When the Khmer Rouge were to the family home at Kampong had no bible and they were unable defeated the family eventually Cham. But eventually they did to meet together with any other returned to Phnom Penh. become separated, with Kim San Christians. Christians began to seek each other and one sister staying with their out and the underground church father and all their food but losing Kim’s father grew sick and he began. her mother and other sisters in the eventually died. The family crowd. They searched long and had adopted an orphan a prophecy Many of the church leaders hard until Kim San’s father was baby through World Vision were imprisoned during the exhausted and could go no further. and they have a poignant fulfilled period the Vietnamese were God gave Kim an idea and the two photograph of the smiling in control, but they did not sisters pushed their father until teenaged Kim with the little boy renounce their faith. Kim has great they could find water and he could shortly before the Khmer Rouge respect for these leaders, some of recover his strength and found the came. The boy and two of Kim’s whom are still leading churches in rest of the family. Kim San’s father sisters did not survive. Cambodia today. blessed them both with a prophesy that there would come a missionaries Her mother was badly Kim still lives with her family in time when they would be injured by a bomb or land a large but full house, with many missionaries for God in their for God mine, losing an eye. When of her remaining family members home country. Looking at the bomb exploded she around her and her mother. Kim the chaos and destruction around prayed loudly to God believing has a deep love for Jesus and an them they could not understand that death was near. Miraculously infectious smile! Her father’s this and said nothing. the Khmer Rouge leader rather prophesy has come to fruition than choosing to execute a self and at weekends she and her sister They stayed in that place about professing Christian, decided to work with evangelism teams in 10 months. Here they had a send her by boat to a hospital. At the countryside and support small reasonable amount of food. They this point other people realised cell churches in the villages as part then had to move north. It was that her mother was a Christian of her own fellowship’s outreach here that there was green grass, hills and this actually encouraged other activities.

VISION For Cambodia | 3 THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

aim was to change Cambodia to Peter Warren is a British Anglican a peasant dominated agricultural Minister who, during a sabbatical society. Education was blamed for from his Parish work, joined John the corruption in the country and Heard on a Mission Awareness trip so anyone who was educated was to Cambodia. Peter was using his especially targeted. All religions sabbatical to spend time studying also bore the brunt of the Khmer ‘the persecuted church’. The evidence Rouge oppression. Disobedience of his research indicated that often of any kind usually brought the church grows during times of immediate execution. It is still not persecution, in number and in depth known how many Cambodians of faith. died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Possibly one quarter of Desiring to investigate further he the population died from murder, summarise much of what I heard chose to visit Cambodia to study starvation or illness. Christians during my research. the experiences of a Church that were especially sought out, with had gone through a period of about 80% being martyred. Many The Negative effects: rapid growth, followed by near of those who survived fled to the extermination under the Khmer refugee camps in Thailand, where ● There is deep trauma for those Rouge, and is now growing again in the church grew rapidly. who survived. a period of relative freedom. The Cambodian Protestant church ● Cambodia is not a had begun slowly in 1923 with two psychologically healthy culture Christian and Missionary Alliance anyway with the Buddhist couples. But from 1970 to 1975 tendency to suppress feelings. there was rapid growth, with an estimated 10,000 believers. Only ● The disruption of the education around 2,000 were to survive the system has meant there has Khmer Rouge, with nearly all the been a lack of education for Christian leaders being killed. many young people over years. This has affected the church. In 1979 Vietnam defeated the Khmer Rouge and controlled ● Many cultural traditions e.g. Cambodia until 1989. The family life, have broken down church functioned predominantly -this has affected society but it A Church meeting underground, until in the 1990s has also affected the church. In there was increased liberty, and Phnom Penh especially there is now the church enjoys relative a lack of any kind of tradition Peter writes: freedom. in the church.

I wanted to hear the stories a fragile In 1990 there were about The Positive effects: of Christians who live 12 churches in Cambodia through the Khmer Rouge part of with around 1,000 members. ● Because so much in Cambodian persecution and discover God’s Body Today there are around 2,400 life has broken down there is what the impact was on churches and up to 200,000 openness to the Gospel. the Cambodian church of today. Christians. This fragile part of God’s Body, ● Christians have been seen to which had gone through the But I wondered how much impact care for those in need when unimaginable, has many lessons to has the Khmer Rouge genocide of others, who might be thought teach us in the comfortable west. thirty years ago had among the to have caring responsibilities, people and the church of Cambodia do not. The Khmer Rouge came to power today. in Cambodia in April 1975. The ● “The Blood of the Martyrs” population of Phnom Penh and Graham Chipps is the pastor There seems to be a spiritual other cities and towns were forcibly of the International Christian significance when Christians moved out to the country. The Fellowship (ICF). His comments die for their faith. When

4 | No. 127 Autumn 2004 martyrs pay the price doors PULLING IT ALL back to those young Christians and seem to open spiritually. their leaders who paid the ultimate TOGETHER sacrifice for their Master in those Cambodian leaders identified dark days of the past. these main challenges facing their It is hard to put the reality of my Church today: time in Cambodia into writing. I have been richly blessed and I The experience was so full and yet hope and pray that I am a better ● For pastors to be really called the words so empty! God has given person and follower of Jesus by God. By Cambodian me a rich and precious experience because of it. standards many pastors are well with new sights and insights, paid and this can encourage stretching my mind and broadening wrong motives. my horizons. At the moment I am still trying to make sense of it all ● The need of relevant and and reflect on what God is trying localised training. There are few to teach me. I have enjoyed living Bible Schools and hardly anything in a very different place; beautiful, outside Phnom Penh. sad and amazing Cambodia! I have met some wonderful people from ● The need for churches to be all over the world. I have heard financially self-sufficient. It some moving and inspiring stories. is much better for pastors to be I have seen a young, vibrant and supported by church members growing church, with all the rather than paid by a Christian encouragements and problems that organisation. growth brings. Behind the singing, joy and worship my mind has gone

10 LESSONS TO LEARN FROM CAMBODIA 1. God is in control. He can use persecution at Cambodians who were so young in their faith, to further His Kingdom and build His church- with no fellowship, teaching or Bibles, who but persecution in itself is evil and never to be remained steadfast during the darkest times of welcomed. suffering. 2. God is stronger than the worst evil. His 6. ‘Western’ Christians need humility and Church is secure in His hands. That does not mean great wisdom as we seek to support and help both churches will not die. But His people are secure in indigenous churches and persecuted Christians. Him and His church is growing. The Khmer Rouge 7. Persecuted Christians are not perfect and have gone and the church is growing. sometimes they get things badly wrong- just like 3. We are part of Christ’s Body, which in many us! parts of the world is experiencing persecution. We 8. There is no substitute for servanthood and need to learn what God wants through this. holiness – it will be its own witness because it 4. Persecution is likely to continue and may get reflects Christ. worse. The Western church is not immune; There 9. We have so much to learn from what God is are issues that we need to address (e.g. the pressure doing in His world. to be ‘tolerant’) and we may soon need to pay a cost. This may seem strange, but it is a normal 10. Cambodia is beautiful, and a sad and amazing Christian experience. place! Cambodia is still trying to come to terms with its past. 5. With God’s grace Christians can maintain a living faith in the worst conditions. I was amazed

HOSEA Monks’ Training supported by WorldShare

You will be aware that Hosea recently conducted a survey of Bhuddist Temples (or Wats) to discover the level and quality of child-care given by monks in rural areas. As a result, a pilot HIV/AIDS workshops for monks was held in August.

WorldShare (a close neighbour in Bawtry Hall) recently visited Sarah in Cambodia, and want to support this work. We are delighted and grateful for this new partnership in the work of the Kingdom. You can check out WorldShare’s ministry on www.worldshare.org.uk

VISION For Cambodia | 5 YOUTH TEAM 2004 a couple of hours of sweating, Personal This year Geoff Collett led a Youth painting a white wall whiter, we Mission Team for a one-month trip, started to talk to the children with Reflections ranging from the Temples in the our few words of Khmer and their Scott and Casey North, a rain lashed jungle in the little English. West, a rural church on stilts in the It wasn’t a conscious decision of East and the busy streets of Phnom By the time they warmed to us mine (Scott writes) to remind Penh in the South. The team of four they were clambering all over us myself that under the skin we Ozzies and four Brits, witnessed, and arguing over who got to hold are all much the same, but I was worked and worshipped their way our hands. They seemed to really conscious of how poorly I felt I around Cambodia, by Tuk-Tuk, appreciate the attention we could could relate to the Cambodian motorbike, foot, Elephant, Pickup, give them. They were all so light people’s past. I struggled to minibus and boat. Read about some that it was no bother to pick them comprehend the stories we were of their adventures, the challenges up and they enjoyed being thrown told by the Khmer who survived God presented them with and the into the air (and caught!). the horror of the Khmer Rouge people they met. and the violence that followed. On the second day we organised a Back home there was a tendency party for the kids whose birthday to believe life is the sum of it was that month. Whilst most of experiences due, I think, to the fact the team ran party games, Sarah that we live in such a comfortable and I painted a slide we had erected society. After meeting these people in the sand pit. All of the children it was obvious that they wouldn’t who were well enough to play wish their experiences on their (there had been a minor epidemic worst enemy. Our relationships of fevers recently) had great fun with the Cambodians grew, not by and the experimental birthday cake having similar experiences but by made by Casey, Scott and a couple listening to theirs. of the older children went down well. But I think the Cambodian people struggle to understand that even Team 2005 after a day’s painting, Casey Mitchell, Leaving the orphans, to whom we with our high western standard Kelda Price, Sarah Baker, Geoff Sare, Scott Holgate, were already becoming attached, of living we still feel longings and Nathaniel Fenton, Tina Hall. was hard for me as I had enjoyed dissatisfaction as they do. Casey playing with them. It was good to remembers a trip to the hairdressers Sunshine House have shared with and helped Ka with a teenage girl from the Ming and Brenda, the couple who Sunshine House orphanage that we Orphanage run the orphanage, as they work visited: Nathaniel Fenton hard there all the time. “You could see on her face how The part I enjoyed the most on the excited she was at the prospect trip was the time at the Sunshine of looking more feminine; her House Orphanage run by Awareness haircut was to symbolize the first Cambodia, an Australian agency. It step in overcoming an abusive past was about 60km outside of Phnom which prevented her from being Penh and much hotter than the comfortable with who she was. It city. We had to be careful to put on was sad because she had the most sunscreen as we were out in the sun beautiful smile and I wish she could much more than before. have seen it. As the hairdresser began to cut her hair you could see To begin with, the children, who her face change to disappointment, had been orphaned by AIDS and as she wasn’t transformed into some of whom were HIV +ive, were someone else. At that moment I shy. But in no time they were all felt such a sense of injustice because looking through the windows into she was so beautiful and it took the clinic we were painting. After Making the monthly birthday cake at the Orphanage. such courage for her to do this. I just hope that this will be a good

6 | No. 127 Autumn 2004 thing for her”.

This and other similar experiences remind me that Cambodians face everyday problems much as young people in our culture do.

Chicken Coop Tina Hall

We were told we would be building a chicken coop half way through our trip to Cambodia. I imagined a small hut for ten to twenty chickens, which we could knock together in a few days.

When we arrived we found the hut On a walk with the Children was to cover a pond about 5m x recalling building methods I 8m. Sharpening the end of some had learnt in England and to see At School 4m stakes and bashing them into methods being used I had only the mud in the bottom of the pond come across in archaeological Geoff Sare made the foundations. programs on TV. We entered the School at Having anticipated making the I was disappointed when our two- Dombokhos, which was to be the entire coop ourselves we were very day stay came to an end; the coop site of our main project for the next surprised (and relieved) to find a foundations had only just been few days. To our left was a long small army of Christian men from finished and I was eager to see how dirty building which contained the the local village doing all the hard they would make the walls and classrooms. To our right was the work, leaving us to watch and move roof. However, it was clear that this playground built by last year’s team, the odd bit of wood for them. One would take far more time than we overlooked by the local temple. It was a Pastor from a neighbouring had, to finish. So, despite all of the was all much as I remember it from village, who before becoming difficulties (strange food, sleeping the year before, except that the a Christian had been the local on the floor and not being able to playground no longer looked brand kidnapper! Because the bandits in help much), I think this was one new. the area were still afraid of him our of my favourite parts of the trip safety was guaranteed! because I enjoy woodwork and to Our main jobs here involved a lot see these simple methods was really of painting, something we became It was strange for me to watch, interesting. experts at by the end of the trip. We began painting the front wall of the classrooms a light yellow colour, covering over the dirty marks as we went.

The second day some of the team painted the partition wall to the new computer room, a few others set up the new computer that we had brought with us and Geoff C took lots of photos!

We managed to finish ahead of schedule so we spent the rest of the time playing with the children, skipping, teaching them Australian Rules football and generally distracting them from their work.

Hopefully our time there will benefit the school; at least it looks a The Church on Stilts bit more pleasant!

VISION For Cambodia | 7 Chat from the Chhins Harvest Festival with Cambodian society, in order Al Fresco Dining… that the Cambodian people can Phnom Penh by day offers a This is what we’ve harvested see God’s love. I serve through the glimpse of Cambodia’s former from our garden over the past 3 love of God. glory as a jewel of France’s colonial months: territories in Indo-China. The ● mangos After Christmas, I started to build a long, leafy avenues, the parks ● bananas new house for an Australian friend with their fountains, the beautiful ● coconuts of ours called Donna. For two palace and the architecture of the ● guavas months, I was able to build it to a old administrative buildings, all ● lemons high standard and now it is giving an impression of ● jack fruit all finished. I prepared the Phnom Penh that distant distinction as ● sugar cane inside of the house as if it by night Charles de Gaulle’s favourite ● little round, sour, green fruits were a house in a foreign Asian colony. we don’t know the English country, as Donna wanted for! a colour scheme similar to the ones Phnom Penh by night, however, I saw in England and Malaysia. I’m offers a very different view of a very happy with the house I built, post-war, developing city, and the Pola says… as it is very good quality, solid, and best way of viewing this other side I am a Christian Private Contractor, I feel that I have really improved of life is by dining at a riverside serving and helping many Christian myself through the experience. restaurant. brothers and sisters who have come to work in Cambodia. In While doing Donna’s house, I also this work, I help in many ways, spent some time repairing and for example finding houses in safe renovating the houses of some areas for them to live in, contacting other foreigners who work in the landlords for them, Cambodia for Christian decorating and repairing I thank God organisations. This means their houses, helping to that lots of people now buy mopeds for them, for giving me know my ministry, and helping them in relating this work me and there are lots of with Government officials, foreigners working for God organising house contracts in Phnom Penh who have asked me for them and there are many other to help them. So I am always very things that I do too. busy and thank God for giving me this work, even though I get tired. I want to do this work, as I have seen that the Christian brothers and sisters who God calls to work in Cambodia have a difficult time, as they do not have experience of how things work in Cambodia. I have seen how difficult it is for Small boys carrying weighing some people and I feel sorry for scales vie for your attention as you them. I want to protect them from sit eating your dinner. They leave having a bad experience that will their houses in the countryside make them want to stop their work at 6am and travel into the city for God in Cambodia. on moped taxis. From then until 11pm, they walk the streets of I want to serve those who are Phnom Penh weighing customers serving God in Cambodia - I want for 10p each. Late at night, they to serve the servants, help those must make the treacherous journey who are working for God. back home, holding their money close and hidden. I want to protect their safety, so that they can continue serving the Shoeshine boys tend to be Cambodian people well, and so slightly older, and make a bit more they can have good relationships

8 | No. 127 Autumn 2004 money. As you sit at your tables, jasmine bracelets – it is upsetting to relative falls heavy on many young these boys will approach you, contemplate that the skills learnt children, who never get a chance at looking under the tables to gauge in selling flowers could lead to a education. shoeshining opportunities before more sinister and dangerous street asking, ‘Shoe shan?’ The popularity profession at such a tender age. An array of children in wheelchairs, of trekking sandals has dented the A drum will herald the arrival of disabled from birth, are pushed market somewhat. a small child leading a blind up and down the streets by family musician by a checkered scarf. members, relying on the pity of The young girls selling bracelets Stopping at each restaurant, the strangers for a living. Young girls of sweet smelling jasmine join couple will stop, the musician will show you their naked, skinny baby the throngs of street sellers in play and the child will collect any brothers and sisters in an effort to the early evening. They are money that is offered. The child, make ends meet. It’s so difficult to cheeky, using their good looks and often no older than 5 or 6, leads know who to help and how – how persuasive smiles to tempt potential the musician through the streets of can you choose? Eating al fresco customers until the early hours Phnom Penh all day long, ending in Phnom Penh certainly gives you of the morning. There are very at the riverfront at night. The food for thought. few girls over the age of 13 selling responsibility for the care of a blind

On the (WH) Way – We had fantastic weather that week compared to the rest of the British Elaine Richmond Isles at that time. Wet occasionally My friends and I had a great time as but in general it was ‘dry with we walked the 96 miles of the West sunny spells’. Highland Way. For me the walk had a Midges We walked for between 7 and spiritual dimension too. Like 9 hours each day. One day it the Christian Walk, each day were a took 11 hours;- that was the held different challenges and nuisance day we climbed Ben Lomond. encounters, with the ups and That was also the wettest day, but thankfully the wind dried us off downs of the hillside and valleys and look forward to maybe doing nicely in between the showers. and streams to cross. It was always another challenge next year. a delight to see our accommodation Midges were a nuisance on the last as in a mirage before our eyes at Sponsorship money is still coming couple of days, which meant we the end of a long stretch each day. in and is now more than £3,000. had to keep walking so they didn’t The sight of shelter, food and rest For which we are truly grateful. for the night was a welcoming eat our sandwiches as well as us! The terrain was hard going because and beckoning sight. I thought Don’t feel you’ve missed out. of rough, stony, cobbled tracks. that must be how it is when we There is still time to add to Thankfully none of us got blisters. eventually are called home to be the total! Send any further gifts The old feet did burn a bit under with the Lord. to the Bawtry office (cheques made the bed covers at night, though. payable to SAO Cambodia). Sleeping was quite difficult even though we were very tired. I Thanks to all who support the work suppose that was because we were of SAO Cambodia, and me in my in a different bed each night, as ministry. I will be in Cambodia well as all the adrenaline pumping from November 13th to December round our bodies. 4th involved (amongst other

things) in running some Drugs The scenery was fantastic, especially Awareness Workshops for HOSEA. around Glen Coe. I’ve fallen in love Please remember me during this with Scotland and it’s mountains time. Coast to Coast (Mark 2) Maybe it is something in the water at Bawtry! In July, as well as Elaine, Gary Lingard who lives in nearby Austerfield, undertook his second sponsored walk to raise funds for the work in Cambodia. In Vision 120 we mentioned the £1,340 raised through his May 2002 Coast to Coast walk. This time he has walked 200 miles from Ravensglass (in Cumbria) to Holy Island (Northumbria) and raised some £850 - which includes matched funds from National Grid Transco. Well done Gary - and thank you on behalf of the people of Cambodia. What can you do? Lets have your ideas. Get going and we can encourage more people to become involved.

VISION For Cambodia | 9 The Orthodontic Project Jon Hammond

Jon Hammond is a consultant serve and witness by lifestyle. Hodge and Richard Pilley. These Orthodontist based in Edinburgh. He professionals will be joined on the has been visiting the Dental Faculty The Orthodontic Postgraduate project by Shirley Scola (currently in Phnom Penh for many years. He is training program is an on an assignment in Papua New coordinating a team of four visiting extension of the initiatives to Guinea) and Professor Jim Moss. tutors to fulfil Paul Smith’s vision for develop professional skills. It differs this project (see page 2 of Vision 123). from the other programs in the We have conducted some degree of specialization and preparatory trips, the most recent On the opening evening God has been level of competence we are in June. of the SAO Cambodia going to introduce where conference in March 2004 working in the there is little pre-existing We are planning to start the Peter Lewis encouraged us Dental School skill base to build on. project’s three-year cycle in October to seek God’s perspective 2004. The task is daunting and of the world. At first sight the The plan is to train a small without God’s help a successful development of Orthodontic group of the dental faculty staff outcome would be seriously in Training Program in the Dental members using visiting specialist doubt. School of developing nation might orthodontists. Each will visit for appear a little bizarre as surely there two weeks on a rota ensuring a Our expectations are other more pressing priorities? presence in country every few We anticipate something greater months over three years - for than simply training four Interestingly, though, God has theoretical teaching and clinical orthodontists. We hope to make been working in the Dental School training. A similar approach was lasting friendships with our Khmer in Phnom Penh since the opening used to develop services in some of colleagues to allow us to share the of Cambodia in the late Eighties. the larger Scottish islands for many meaning of our faith openly and Initially World Concern (now one years. The distances involved, the honestly. of the ICC Partners) supported number of trainees and the level the reopening Dental School by of training, together with We hope to motivate them providing materials, equipment our lack of Khmer and the an opportunity to seek clinical excellence and more importantly Christian standard of local facilities to witness by as their goal, furthermore personnel. all combine to make this lifestyle that this attitude will project very challenging. permeate throughout the Since that time there has been Dental School. We hope in time a continuous input which has We are very fortunate however to train them to be able to provide developed in four basic areas. in having Susanne Madsen of specialist care for children and ICC coordinating the project and adults with congenital anomalies, ● aiding the Dean with syllabus having the support of Chern Chern e.g. clefts of the lip and palate. That development and overall (an OMF Orthodontic specialist) to will certainly take more than three strategic planning. help with clinical supervision and years. teaching between our visits. ● professional development We pray ‘Lord show us to loose the of the whole dental team, In February this year we selected things that are binding the work undergraduates, dental nurses four Khmer dentists for training, Dr you have called forth’. and qualified dentists both Mom Sovranrithy, within and outside the faculty. Dr Yin Sythan, Dr Ly Thin and Dr ● the development of the Mey Phaung. English-language program has been a significant factoring Our Schedule aiding communication with In April 2004 those visiting the School. four members of the Orthodontic ● the supplying, either directly visiting team met or indirectly, of materials and in Edinburgh for equipment. orientation and team building. The common theme to all of us Along with Jon who committed to this programme Hammond were Students and Leaders, Jon Hammond, Dr Mey Phanny, Dr Ly Thin, involved was an opportunity to Gavin Cave, Trevor Dr (Mrs) Yin Sython, Dr Chern Chern (OMF Malysia), Dr Mom Sovannrithy

10 | No. 127 Autumn 2004 the outbreak has been contained.

Mekong River damming Cambodia News China’s damming of the Mekong Compiled by John Heard from various sources river for hydro electric schemes is posing a threat to millions Politics conscience” But Chea Sim flew of Southeast Asian farmers and A new agreement has at last been to Bangkok on “medical leave”. fishermen. Completion of two reached between the Cambodia Eventually Acting Senate President dams on China’s stretch of the 3,000 mile waterway, along with Peoples Party (CPP) and its rivals Nhiek Bun Chaay signed. work to make the river more Funcinpec. Hun Sen has been Earnest prayers are needed for the navigable, is expected to bring appointed for his third elected future of Cambodia. term as Prime Minister after 11 damaging changes to flow patterns. months deadlock following the Monarchy General Election last year when King Sihanouk has repeatedly CPP fell nine seats short of the two- threatened to abdicate as an thirds majority required to form a expression of displeasure with his government. The impasse meant country’s politics. But he withdrew Hun Sen stayed as caretaker leader. his latest threat after Cambodia’s leading Buddhist monk begged him Final preparations will now be to remain. made to join the World Trade Organisation and for approval Child trafficking of the Khmer Rouge war crimes A Cambodian woman has tribunal. The tribunal will only been sentenced to 15 years for examine the period April 17, 1975 trafficking two of her children. The to January 6, 1979 when Pol Pot Cambodian Human Rights and imposed the infamous “Killing Development Association says she Fields”. was caught selling her 3 and 6 year olds for $US350 each. Agreement was reached over most issues but outstanding concerns In 2003 Cambodian police include judicial and administrative investigated over 400 trafficking- reforms, border treaties with related cases with 142 people Vietnam and a salary increase for now serving sentences ranging state employees to curb corruption. up to 20 years. The government, There are concerns about the through the Ministry of Women’s creation of an additional 180 and Veterans Affairs, carries out ministerial positions, including five information campaigns with additional deputy prime ministers workshops, pamphlets, and videos Health and scores of new secretaries of about the dangers of sex tourism, Cambodia has become the first state. including child sex tourism. country to reach the United

Nations health agency’s 2010 goal King Sihanouk, in self-exile in Road Traffic dangers of treating three-quarters of its North Korea, had refused to sign Cambodia’s traffic fatality rate is school-age children for intestinal the “Additional Constitution” to double the regional average and parasites. facilitate the new arrangements, rising. Roads have improved leaving this to Senate President allowing more speed and volume Catholicism in Cambodia Chea Sim “according to his but drivers are not proficient and The Catholic Church in Cambodia vehicles are overloaded. The is reported to be growing fast. concept of road safety is foreign Young people, unsatisfied with to most. Drivers can purchase Buddhism, are converting to licenses, ignore rules and rarely Catholicism. wear motorbike helmets. Young

men, make up the majority of They say that Buddhism doesn’t casualties. have answers to basic human

questions. Cambodians usually say, Foot & mouth Disease “Whatever happens to you comes More than 2,000 cows and buffaloes from your karma (actions which have been infected with foot and determine fate).” But the young see mouth disease. But officials report this fatalism as objectionable.

VISION For Cambodia | 11 Cambodia Opportunities

ICC and other agencies we are working with, have a constant need for staff to support the work. Some of these posts are available short term but many are for longer-term placements.

If you think God may be challenging you to work for Him serving the people of Cambodia as we seek to meet their physical, social and spiritual needs, then take a look at the advertised posts below.

PRISON FELLOWSHIP CAMBODIA Seek a PROJECT MANAGER for a new Drop in Centre for released prisoners

There is currently no assistance available for prisoners upon KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: release in Cambodia. They are often released with meagre ● Mentor and develop the team of counsellors belongings, poor health and not even the fare home. Many ● Manage the Centre have lost touch with their families and do not know where they ● Facilitate rehabilitation programmes at the Centre will go or how they will earn a living.

The aim is to create a Service to assist prisoners to reintegrate into KEY SKILLS REQUIRED: society comprising a team of counsellors and a new Drop in Centre in ● Probation, counselling or social work experience Phnom Penh. ● Management or administration experience PFC are looking for a PROJECT MANAGER to help with this project. ● Mentoring and people skills This could be an individual or a couple. ● Willingness to work in a cross cultural Please contact Geoff Collett by email ([email protected]) environment and learn local language and if interested customs

Human Resource Director Food technologist / Chemistry HRD / Training concepts / Processing of products for marketing Organizational Development / and for food preservation (Income Localization / PRA &PTD etc. (Training Generation & Food security) and management specialist - with special focus on capacity building of Veterinarian - Mondulkiri local staff). Personnel function for the Training local (tribal) farmers the basic organisation (recruitment / screening principles of animal health and simple / secondments / coordination of expat treatment. and Khmer) Dentist Programme Director Teaching and coaching students at the Financial Director Project planning / Monitoring & Dental Faculty and its clinic. Mainly to be an advisor/coacher of Evaluation / MIS / Research local staff in the HQ Office and projects ESL Teachers areas overseeing the finances of ICC FLD Advisor/Local NGO/Org. Teaching English at the Dental Faculty (treasurer / audit / donor relations) Development and do support activities in the Advising FLD (NGO) - fish farming and language lab and Faculty library. HRD and Training Advisor extension) in process of localization HRD / Training concepts / Volunteers (for at least a school Organizational Development / Project Manager for year - allowance available) Localization / PRA & PTD etc. (Training Mondulkiri project Teachers at an International Christian and management specialist - with Leading and Managing the Com Dev School in Phnom Penh (up to grade 8) special focus on capacity building of project among the Bhnong (literacy and local staff) food security - livestock) Education Advisor – based at Training Advisor University Practical advice on child-welfare issues Purpose is to positively influence (parenting skills / child rights / child policies at Ministry level and provide care) Training and follow-up of care- support to the field. Networking givers. focusing on Non Formal Education and Minorities

SAO Cambodia, Bawtry Hall, Bawtry, Doncaster, DN10 6JH • Tel: 01302-714004 Email: [email protected] • Web site: www.saocambodia.org