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Diary of Letters from Cambodia Trip
Feb 25, 2008
Monday afternoon, February
25, 2008 Simon, Meang and I had the opportunity to meet with His
Excellency Sou Phirin, the Governor of Siem Reap Province (Ministry of
Interior). I first met Mr. Phirin during the dedication of the Kok
Thlok Leu medical clinic in October of 2007.
My purpose for
meeting with Mr. Phirin was to see how PCL might specifically further
serve the Siem Reap Province. After an interesting discussion
concerning American politics and the place of democracy in the world
(he was watching CNN when I entered the room) we began discussing his
plan to help his people.
The Governor requested that
PCL consider partnering with the Siem Reap Government to construct a
planned community near Kulen Mountain. Kulen Mountain is
a sacred location, considered to be the starting point for the great
Khmer empire. The Governor wants to create this community in order to
help the disabled veterans of the Cambodian military--some 100+
families. The Governor is going to put together the proposal and send
it to me.
This again, is another great opportunity to help the
Khmer people and be a Christian influence from the top down, not just
from the bottom up. Continue to pray with me that the Lord will give us
favor and resources as we continue to "Inspire Hope and Empower
Potential."
 Meeting with His Excellency Sou Phirin, Governor of Siem Reap (Min of Interior)
Feb 24, 2008
Julie Martinez & Debbie Minay invite
workers & high school students to small a group meeting on Sunday
mornings. Common Grounds is closed all day Sundays. I am sharing my
story with these young people this morning.
I had the honor of meeting with two Vice Governors of the Phnom Penh
Province and City Department of Urban Poor Municipality. These men are
responsible for the Global Partnership of NGO's (Non-Government
Organizations) who commit to work with the Cambodian government on the
"Poverty Reduction Project." This project involves the relocation and
resettlement of literally thousands of the poorest of the poor in Cambodia. We initiated this partnership last year when PCL built a medical clinic in the rural Cambodian area of Kok Thlork Leu.
Watch video taken from my phone:
Bien
Raneses, PCL's Southern Cambodia Development Director and I (Fred
Garmon) initially met with these men to negotiate a possible long-term
partnership agreement to continue  using
the old gutted factory building located in what we refer to as
"Emmanuel Village," one of four resettlement sites inside the city of Phnom Penh
proper.(pictured) The people living in this village formerly lived on
top of the cities' garbage dump site. Bien and his team of twenty
somethings (young adult Christian humanitarian workers / PCL staff)
have been serving this village for several years with food, medical
assistance, education and friendship. We left the meeting with an
optimistic promise that this request would be met.
During the
course of our meeting, however, these two Vice Governors turned the
conversation toward another project involving Phnom Penh's poorest
population; the "Poverty Reduction Project." (see photos below)The
Governors requested that PCL join several other International Aid
organizations (Red Cross, Habitat) in providing resources to build
homes on donated land so that these hundreds of poor families can get a
fresh start. Since PCL's motto is "Inspiring Hope and Empowering
Potential" this request seemed to fit within the boundaries of our
stated goals.
An estimated 1,600 families have been relocated
to the Andong Thmei relocation site--one of many relocation sites, but
according to Vice Governor, Mann Chhoeurn, "this site targets the
poorest of the poor." In addition, the Cambodian Daily
newspaper (Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008), printed "Christian Churches have
built a few toilets and an overcrowded school is available to some, but
Andong Thmei...is still...a swamp." Presently only 440 of the 1,600
families have been given 4 x 6 meter plots of ground. The remaining
1,160 families are living in rows of densely packed thatched roof
houses with gray water and green sticky creeks of trash running between
them.
One
of the homes depicted in the photo attached to this email can be built
for $1,000 USD; the duplex for $2,000 USD. PCL is in continued
conversation with the Cambodian officials partnering to become a part
of the solution to this terrible situation.
We are therefore looking for partners....anyone want to make a difference?
Click here to donate securely through our website. (This project is so new you will need to choose "other" in the Allocation box.)
Meeting
with the Vice Governor of Phnom Penh Province & City Dept of Urban
Poor Municipality to work with the Cambodian governments "Poverty
Reduction Project." This project involves the relocation and
settlement of thousands of the poorest of the poor in
Cambodia. We initiated this partnership last year when
PCL built a Medical Clinic in the rural area of Kok Thlok Leu.
 Things are going great here in Cambodia! It's been non-stop teachings and meetings since I got off the jet Thursday morning.
Fred Garmon, International Director
People For Care & Learning |
