In the States, the White House schedules press conferences for Fridays when the topic is one negative to the administration.
In Cambodia, it seems, negative actions are taken just before the holidays so people will be caught off guard. Activist Khem Sokha was arrested on New Years’ Eve, 2005.
And just as Khmer New Year begins, the Russey Keo area has experienced a devastating fire, with over 200 homes burned, taking several hours to extinguish. Agence France Presse estimates ‘thousands’ are now homeless. We’ll never know for sure if it was an accident, or intentional; but the timing stinks. Organizations addressing housing issues such as LICADHO, Bridges Across Borders and Teang Tnaut will tell you that this is not the first community that has experienced a fire as residents attempt to assert their rights.
I will continue to update information on this post as more news comes in. (Thanks to local1x for YouTube footage, above photos are video screengrabs.)
Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbYStJWwjYs
Aftermath: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDuGiCdmBsQ
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=439391
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2008-04/11/content_6610874.htm
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?collectionId=1751&galleryName=All%20Collections#a=1
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/11/content_7962258.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1868532.stm
http://www.voanews.com/khmer/080411-fire.cfm
http://australianetwork.com/news/stories_to/2214833.htm
http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1155&Itemid=31
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=520&Itemid=52
Blog Posts:
http://www.vuthasurf.com/2008/04/11/blaze-welcomes-new-year/
http://imsokthy.com/2008/04/10/about-60-houses-burned-this-morning/
http://www.voanews.com/khmer/2008-04-16-voa9.cfm
http://detailsaresketchy.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/crossing-the-red-cross/
Tags: cambodia,khmer,fire,evictions
Posted in news, urbanization | 2 Comments »
Stuart Isett spreads the word:
Tiny Toones: B Boy Benefit for Cambodia
April 26th 2008, 6pm ’til late
At the Greenwood Collective
8537 Greenwood Ave. NW Seattle WA
Featuring the work of:
World B Boy champs Massive Monkees, legendary Seattle photographer Charles Peterson, immigration activist Many Uch & photographer Stuart Isett.
$5 donation at the door
Photographs for sale
All proceeds benefit The Tiny Toones.
Background:
Tiny Toones was born in the Bassac slum area of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and provides free HIV/AIDS, health, drug awareness, performing arts and language education in English and Khmer to underprivileged youth. It also serves as a community center, with an open door policy, where hundreds of children have a positive environment to channel their energy into learning and performing arts. The group was founded by Tuy Sobil, a.k.a. KK, originally from Long Beach, who brought his b boy dance talents to the streets of Cambodia to help the country struggling to rebuild after 30 years of war.
Funds raised from the event will be used to support Tiny Toones as well as purchased a small mini-van so the kids can be driven safely to school, dance performances and rehearsals. A $5 cover will be charged, plus many talented, local photographers will be donating photographs for sale, with proceeds going to the benefit. Donations will also be accepted online and at the event.
DONATE NOW. Visit greenwoodcollective.com/tinytoones/
More: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartisett/sets/72157603618923963/
Tags: cambodia,hiphop
Posted in dance, hip hop, music, news, photography | No Comments »
Hey look!
One of the nifty new ‘One Laptop Per Child‘ gadgets!
One of our friends in Cambodia had ordered one via the ‘Give One Get One‘ program.
(Above: Bart talks about OLPC’s capabilities.) Apparently Cambodia will be getting a shipment of tens of thousands – a big project in the works. We were impressed by its ruggedness, versatility and functionality. http://laptop.org
The keyboard itself is tiny, built for a child – but there are lots of USB ports which means an adult could plug in a keyboard. I have a feeling the ‘Give One Get One’ program will be quite successful – everyone wants a new toy. (Though at $400 USD it’s not cheap.)
Below: Chantra, Norbert Klein, Mongkol. Others who came included Tharum and Ramana.
More Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/somongkol/
Also under discussion: Cambodia’s upcoming ‘Barcamp’.
http://barcampphnompenh.org More to follow as things develop.
Tags: cambodia,barcamp,OLPC
Posted in information technology, more stuff, news, weblogs | 2 Comments »
It’s been ages since I’ve been to Kampot, so it was great fun to go recently and see the sleepy riverside town waking up. Below: a good place to start, Epic Arts Cafe.
On my first visit, they’d just rented the space. Now it’s looking great!
The pictures lining the walls are of students and staff, many of whom are deaf and use Khmer sign language.
Below: larger example of some of the art,
and the menu which allows you to order via signing. Cool!
I came away from my weekend rested and relaxed, and ready for a reprise in the near future!
More? Try the tourist guide Kampot Dar’laing [PDF] or local web site www.kampotinteract.org.
Tags: cambodia,khmer,sign language
Posted in kampot, Other Goodies, sign language, tourism | 2 Comments »
