The Phnom Penh Post - ENGLISH: “New Hope provides more than just hope” plus 9 more

Every second Friday is like a market day at New Hope, with hundreds of Siem Reap's blighted urban poor turning up to receive food provided by sponsors including rice, fish sauce, soy sauce, iodized salt and a small amount of cash for incidentals to tide things over.

Last Friday saw the 64th fortnightly "rice drop" – as the project is called – roll out with 308 families registered to receive food assistance, with another 15 needy families turning up on the day to also register to ensure that they too would benefit from the 20 tons of rice stacked against the wall ready for distribution. Larger families receive 50kg bags, while other families receive 40kg, 30kg or 20kg of rice. The deal for receiving this largesse is that all families must be able to show that they are sending their kids to school.

A Mondul 3 villager, Vant Kheng, who has received rice aid from New Hope for almost two years, told Insider that without this organisation her family is nothing.

"I have three grandchildren living with me. Their father and mother divorced and I am too old to find jobs to earn some money," she said, while bowing her head to thank New Hope.

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She said that New Hope also provides medicines when she and her grandchildren are sick and will send her or her children to the provincial hospital free of charge if their illness is serious.

Of New Hope she said, "They give me hope, give me rice, other groceries, and we are happy that they are always with us when we are in trouble."

I first visited New Hope four years ago and to say that the experience then was depressing is an understatement. New Hope's headquarters and school was a small humble building in a mean 'street' of shanties, hovels and dodgy karaoke bars. The handful of staff was desperately trying to cope with problems in a nearby 'village' in the bush that housed military wives whose husbands had been dispatched to troubled Preah Vihear, leaving families to cope on about 30 bucks a month. The day that I first visited, April 27, 2009, was a grim day indeed because one child had died, another was critically ill in hospital, two others were hospitalised and released, and three adults were treated by doctors after eating poisonous frogs in Mondul3, one of Siem Reap's poorest villages.

At 8am the day before, a Sunday, four boys ate brown frogs they'd caught after the rains, and by 10:30am Sov Soparath, the son of a soldier from Preah Vihear temple, was dead, with his brother critically ill in Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital.

I attended the dead boy's house, observed the small body lying on a mat on the floor, observed the distraught family in the midst of grief, and observed New Hopes harried staff, tears in their eyes, trying to cope.

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I left that sad scene thinking that there wasn't much hope for New Hope – despite the well intentioned staff, the job was too big, and the resources too meager to even make a dent in that hopeless mire of extreme poverty.

How wrong I was.

Last week I returned to New Hope, or should I say the 'new' New Hope, as the organisation had moved about a kilometre from its previous location.

What I saw this time around was a highly efficient complex of new buildings employing 82 Khmer staff and housing several classrooms, including a fully equipped computer teaching room; a well-run efficient medical clinic and a smart pharmacy; an inviting training restaurant that could have been at home on Pub Street; a compound where villagers broken bicycles were fixed; and an operational centre that hummed with purpose. And when I attended the rice drop I saw smiles instead of tears, and heard laughter instead of sobs.

New Hope's amiable and supremely fit operations and public relations manager, former South Australian businessman Ron Carter, provided a guided tour of the mostly Australian run NGO, first pointing out that Siem Reap town has pockets of severe urban poverty, which the NGO targets specifically.

He says, "The urban poor are probably poorer than the rural poor. The rural poor can at least grow some rice, but for the urban poor, it's a major problem. Many people don't realise that within a 15 minute walk from Pub Street there are urban slums."

Ron rattles off an impressive list of facts and figures. "We have seven English class rooms at various levels, one computer class, one sewing class, and one library and training classroom. We cater to 830 kids, but come September numbers will be boosted to over 1, 000, maybe 1050.

"One of our priorities is the building of a new school which will be a Khmer Public School. We estimate that this will take 9-12 months to build, and we hope to launch in September 2014. We also have 20 kids sponsored at uni."

Also high on the list of priorities for New Hope is a sewing workshop, a revenue-raising spin-off from the sewing class where pupils already make the schools' uniforms. "We've just completed a business plan for the sewing workshop," says Ron, "And we are still seeking 50 per cent of the funding. We hope to employ up to 20 girls in the workshop and also help women in the villages. For example, we know of one woman who can crochet."

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As well as services such as the rice drop and schooling, New Hope also runs a medical clinic for its clients, as it refers to the poor that it services. "We treat about 400 patients a week," says Ron, "it's an amazing clinic run by an Australian nurse, Jody Bonar, and employs seven full time staff. We pay for everything – we supply medication and pay for hospital stays."

In today's modern world, income equals sustainability and New Hope works to supplement its donated income with self-generated revenue – in the year 2011-2012 donations and revenue totaled $460, 270.

Ron Carter outlines some of the NGO's revenue-raising initiatives. "Our volunteer program placement fees help pay the way and this is one of the largest revenue-raisers at present," he says.

"We have a training restaurant with eight full time staff, and five trainees every six months," says Ron. "This is sponsored by Canadian company GAdventures, which brings tour groups to the diner up to five nights a week. That's been important to us, but it would be nice to get some expats out here to the restaurant.

"We also have our own tour business. It's very small at the moment, with two full-time staff, and one part-timer. The plan is to increase this significantly in the next 12 months.

"Then there's our bicycle repair workshop. We have distributed 900 bikes to the poor over the past 12 months, but the people are too poor to fix the bikes when they break down. We have two people employed in the workshop to fix bikes that have been broken.

"The sale of bikes to volunteers brings in some revenue. Our plan for the future is to broaden into motos, and do mechanical repairs and provide traineeships for two or three boys."

Additional reporting by Thik Kaliyann.

BIRD WATCHING EXTRAVAGANZA
Calling all ardent birders – the Sam Veasna Center will conduct the mother of all bird watching tours next year. The tour will run from January 25 to February 16, with an extension to February 20 for the super, super keen.

The "SVC Super Tour 2014", will visit 12 birding sites over the 19-23 days, starting at the temples around Siem Reap and finishing in Phnom Penh.

The tour's aim is to raise more funds to complete the centre's conservation project and increase income. The centre points out that it has renovated the lodges at Tmatboey community to raise the standard of accommodation for this community and maintain the vulture restaurant in the rainy season. It is also planning to build a lodge in Prey Veng community to accommodate birders and other clients to generate more income for the community, and to build a new road for the village of Ang Trapaeng Thmor, noted for its Sarus cranes.

ACE OPEN DAY
ACE Siem Reap will hold an open day on September 7, where students who prove to be the best writers will win scholarships. Prospective students will be welcomed and provided with "taster classes." Prospective students will also be able enter competitions, get information on classes run by ACE and glean information on studying abroad.

CULINARY CUP RESULT
The Cambodian Chef Association members from Siem Reap, who competed in Thailand's biggest international culinary challenge, the Pattaya City Culinary Cup 2013 last week, came sixth out of a field of 17 contending teams.

Kimsan Sok from the Angkor W Group of Restaurants, together with four other members of the Cambodia Chef Association, represented Siem Reap at the cook-off – the other chefs were from Borei Angkor Resort and Spa, Sokha Hotel and Nest restaurant.

Kimsan Sok was the only female chef in the team, and local gourmands will be able to check out her cooking in October when the Angkor W restaurant, Wok Republic, opens in the new King's Road Angkor complex.

Meanwhile, fast-food outlet KFC seems to be branching out into reptilian fare. A promotional text message sent last this week promised, "Get Snake Plate 25% off."

ANTI-TRAFFICKING ADVOCATES
Sixteen-year-old Sayon Chen from Siem Reap was one a number of youth anti-trafficking advocates who attended World Vision's meeting in Thailand's Chiang Rai last week, in the buildup to International Youth Day on August 12.

Sayon Chen said, "In my community, many youth are forced to quit school due to the poverty. Illegal migration could lead them to be trafficked." He discussed this problem with the leaders at the meeting.

The regional meeting was attended by 36 youths from Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and China, and was funded by World Vision, Save the Children and MTV Exit. Past meetings have been conducted in 2004, 2007 and 2010.

Jason Evans, national director of World Vision Cambodia said, "No longer are youth only asking us for to give them solutions, but rather, we are now seeing youth taking the situation into their own hands, taking action and driving solutions. We are excited to support them."

The participation of youth in anti-trafficking initiatives is "critical to acknowledging the real danger faced by Asian youths," according to Agnes Ting, regional director for World Vision East Asia who added, "Young people in this region live with the daily threat of being trafficked across borders or being sold into modern day slavery."

Recently, the UN established an international agreement enabling young people to speak about problems involving child protection and ending the sale of children, child pornography and the involvement of children in armed conflagrations.

The international agreement, known as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure, strengthens the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The only regional country to ratify the new agreement so far is Thailand.

Since its opening in Siem Reap six months ago, Phare, the Cambodian Circus has been warmly received as a welcome addition to Siem Reap's evening entertainment options.

Spectacular performances have consistently drawn crowds keen to be wowed, and the addition of a big-top tent in May ensured the show goes on whatever the weather.

Yet despite this veritable success, the Phare team always felt there was something missing.

"A café was certainly something which was lacking for us," says Victor Everaere, assistant operations manager. "We knew that having a meal or glass of wine before or after the show is an important part of a nice evening, but we had no experience building or running a restaurant."

Deciding the best option would be to search for a partner with more hospitality know-how, co-director Huot Dara approached the team responsible for the fabulous food at Sojourn Boutique Villas.

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Dean McLachlan of Sojourn says his team always really liked the idea of what Phare does. "The circus is such a positive thing, and we were always keen to support it. Plus we already have a great catering team, so it just made sense," he adds.

In just ten days the Sojourn team designed and erected a chic little open-air bar and restaurant which, McLachlan rightly points out, displays more than a touch of the resort's sophisticated style.

The team also worked hard to create a relaxed outdoor dining area, with faultlessly laid tables set against a backdrop of flickering fire torches and newly planted banana trees.

The Phare Café has a selection of drinks, as well as an à la carte menu full of food both fast and flavourful.

"We designed the menu so everything is quick," says McLachlan. "All of the dishes take just five minutes to freshly prepare, so even if people turn up 15 minutes before the show they still have time to grab a snack and a glass of wine."

Particularly popular so far are the satay chicken skewers and lemongrass beef kebabs, both of which are served in a banana leaf basket handy for holding while watching a performance.

For those who prefer something a little more formal, Phare Café also features a pre-order only Khmer set menu of Cambodian favourites such as mango salad, fish amok, and a sticky-sweet caramelised banana dessert.

McLachlan has already received positive feedback. "So far, so good," he says. "It's early days so we're still seeing what people like, but we're already working on plans to offer more options for people just coming for food, including special deals for expats. Watch this space."

Everaere adds, "We are so pleased that we can now offer the complete experience of 'A Night at the Circus,' and believe this is a great addition to the already vibrant arts and culture scene in Siem Reap."

The Phare Café is next to the Phare Circus big top tent. It is open every day from 6.30pm, and welcomes both circus-goers and those without tickets to a show.

Sarah Brown

A colourful new children's library at the Center for Khmer Studies is now open for the kids of Siem Reap to enjoy.

Krisna Uk, who took over directorship of CKS in January this year, explained that the library has very much been a joint project between CKS and children at the neighbouring Wat Damnak Primary School.

"We asked the children between the ages of 8 and 12 how they would imagine their dream library, such as what sort of books they'd like and what sort of activities they imagined doing in the library.

"We also asked them to draw their dream library and we got 80 responses. So the bright colours used in the decoration and the type of furniture we bought are the things they really wanted to see. It meant the children really participated in making the library."

And some of the children certainly had high hope for the activities available in the library. Uk said, "We had kids, especially the boys, saying they'd like to learn how to ski, for example. But other ideas were a bit easier for us to implement, such as wanting to know how to draw or how to make puppets."

The books in the library have all been selected to encourage children to read. As Uk explained, reading is something relatively new to Cambodia.

"In the 1950s and 60s it was related to an elite part of society who had received education in the French system, and the rest of the population was heavily reliant on the pagoda and monks for reading. So we are hoping that little by little children will start a new reading culture, and it can be reading any kind of books. We have a lot of stories about ghosts as they love that. The library is also teaching them how to use, look after and share books, which is a kind of civic education too."

The library also has benefits for the wider work that the Center for Khmer Studies does and its perception amongst residents of Siem Reap. Uk said, "The children's library is great for CKS. We built our reputation as an academic institution because we work with scholars, but now we are showing that we cater for the younger segment of the population too."

It is hoped that the presence of younger readers will encourage more locals to visit the main library, reading room and regular lecture series.

At present the children's library is only open on Thursday and Saturday afternoons, but Uk is hoping that soon they will be able to have more sessions.

"Our librarians are quite busy at the moment as we are changing our cataloguing system so we can integrate with World Cat – the world's largest library catalogue – and this is taking time," she said. "But we are trying to get some interns to cover more sessions."

"I'd like it to be a resource for primary schools and for teachers to know that there is a library that they can use. It's been very popular so far and the kids are delighted."

It is not my job; I'm having dinner now.

Dear Editor,

There are three important conclusions from these results, even if they are temporary:

1. The CNRP, as an opposition party, was temporary winning, but they were not the winners, absolutely not.

2. The CPP was temporarily losing, but still won the majority, and they are the winners of the election, no questions asked. Therefore, the CPP has the full right and responsibility under the constitution to form the new Royal Government of Cambodia for the next five years as mandated by the majority of the Cambodia people. That's a democratic principle.

3. Irregularities existed, and it did affect all parties, not just one party as proclaimed and should not be used as a hostage for the successful, free, fair and peaceful election. It can be improved and resolved in due time together and professionally. There is no perfect system that exists, even in all advanced countries (see the US Presidential election in 2000, George W Bush Al Gore v Al Gore). Let's move on! It is not bargaining time.

Judging from these results, I would not characterise it as Cambodia's tipping point as put by Ms Theary Seng, but rather Cambodia's Adjustment Stage. Tipping is the act of falling, meaning that you are at the top of the summit and become unbalanced, then you tip and fall.

Cambodia is not falling but is moving steadily towards a promising future. The adjustment is the process of correcting, improving to suit the new changing conditions (of the country). It is the process of continuing reforms, but not to stage a revolution, as she suggested "to complete change of leadership" (sic).

Looking back over the last 60 years of Cambodian historical development, we can see that Cambodia is moving from many different stages of development. Cambodia gained independence in 1953 and after 20 years of peace and stability, Cambodia plunged back into civil wars for another 20 years (from 1970 until the democratic election in 1993).

Every two decades (or 20 years), there were times for revolution (which always failed), and times for structural adjustments to reflect the country's changing political, social and economic landscape. During the last 20 years, Cambodia has emerged from decades of instability with an impressive record on sustained economic development through many stages of development: from the rehabilitation phase (1993-1998) which was initiated since 1989, to the reconstruction phase (1999-2003) and the take-off phase (2004-2008).

In 2012, the GDP per capita was $984 (in 1995, it was $278), and about 20 per cent of the population was judged to live below the poverty line. In governance, the ongoing reform process of decentralisation and de-concentration (D&D), which aims at strengthening local governance and public service delivery, is opening new perspectives to promote democracy, improve development opportunities, reduce poverty and ensure sustainable, equitable and inclusive development.

A war against poverty had been declared, and gradually conquered on many fronts. Cambodia is moving in the right direction and the country's performance assessment is relatively high and is achieving more positive results. But challenges still remain.

1. There is no democratic country in the world that would change its leadership in the government, when its economic development is strong and growing, achieving political stability, maintaining peace, security and safety of the people and its territorial integrity is maintained and secure. To suggest "complete change of leadership" is tantamount to a coup d'etat.

See the events of March 18, 1970, and now it is happening in Egypt, and whatever it is called, it is the work of interference in a sovereign state. The 2013 election results did reflect the people's choice, through a democratic process.

Democracy is not imported. It must grow from the grassroots up through social and economic development. Ignorance is the source of all sufferings.

2. The so-called Spring Revolution is again "Monkeys see, monkeys do". The Kingdom of Cambodia is independent, sovereign, peaceful, permanently neutral and a non-aligned country. Furthermore, Cambodia does not have winter, spring, summer or fall seasons as in other countries, but it does have two seasons – a dry season and a wet season. Any suggestion that the "July 2013 election gave the opportunity to usher in a "Cambodian spring" is tantamount to self-destruction, or suicide, and is completely out of context.

3. Ms Theary Seng, attempted to elevate Mr Sam Rainsy to become the father of the Cambodian people, replacing the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. His stature is not comparable to the King Father.

This is too much and a very offensive statement. The country should be led by honest and well-respected politicians/statesmen, and not by activists. Judging from the racism rhetoric, accusations, manipulations, calls for mass demonstrations, it sounds like the works of activists, and not honest politicians or a statesman. It is the difference between reform-minded and revolutionary.

The country is much larger than all parties combined. Cambodia is not tipping, but instead is moving forward to a bright and promising future. Therefore, the integrity and the interests of the country are much more important to all.

Give peace a chance.

Ngy Chanphal is a secretary of state in the Ministry of Interior and vice-chair of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development

The private sector has called on the government to review Cambodia's taxation law, a statute that business leaders say is outdated and needs to change if Cambodia wants to continue to attract foreign investment.

Led by Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) president Kith Meng, a delegation of more than 100 business people met with Kong Vibol, secretary of state for the Ministry of Economy and Finance, at the CCC headquarters in Phnom Penh yesterday. They encouraged a review of the Law on Taxation passed in the late 1990s, which Meng said did not match the current needs of the Cambodian economy.

"Let me tell His Excellency, this law was created 15 years ago as I know, and this law was made referring to the situation of the time," Meng said, adding that tax laws had not kept pace with the economic conditions of today.

Meng said that with the onset of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, when trade barriers across the region are relaxed and competition for foreign investment intensifies, Cambodia needs more than ever to remain attractive for investors.

Although details were not discussed at these initial talks, the draft agenda called for a lowering of the value-added tax (VAT) from 10 per cent to seven per cent, in line with other ASEAN members. Thailand's VAT, for example, is 7 per cent.

The National Assembly adopted the Law on Taxation in January 1997.

Meng used Hong Kong as one system to possibly emulate. There, he said, tax rates are low, but the government is able to collect dues effectively.

"Taking small tax, [they] collect more; taking big taxes, [they] escape a lot," he said, suggesting that businesses would be less likely to look for avenues to avoid paying taxes if they were considered more reasonable.

Vibol said he was willing to consider the forum's recommendations.

"I won't kick out this proposal. I will take it to a higher level now that the business community has proposed this, and consider whether the ministry will lower," Vibol told the meeting.

"I see the private sector playing a very crucial role in the economic development. I highly value the private sector as the state partner," he said.

Tax revenue grew about 20 per cent in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2012, but economists and opposition leaders have cast doubt on the figures.

Critics also say that revenues could be higher if tax collection was more aggressive.

Cambodia's population has broken the 14 million mark and then some, increasing nearly 10 per cent since 2008 to 14.68 million, according to the provisional results of a population survey released yesterday by the Ministry of Planning.

But the 2013 Cambodia Inter-Censal Population Survey, conducted halfway between each once-a-decade census, also found the population is growing slower than it has in the past, and that it's continuing to urbanise as well, with 21.4 per cent of people living in cities, compared with 19.5 per cent in 2008.

That movement could also explain why the average size of households has also marginally decreased – from 4.7 persons in 2008, to 4.6 persons now – "partly due to fertility decline but most probably because of the migration", said Marc Derveeuw of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Cambodia's population is growing faster than its neighbours, at 1.46 per cent annually, compared with 1.1 per cent in Southeast Asia as a whole, and 0.5 and 1.0 per cent in Thailand and Vietnam, respectively.

However, the number still represents a drop compared with 2008, when the growth rate was 1.54 per cent.

The "demographic window", according to the UNFPA, refers to a period of slower population growth in which the population of working-age persons is proportionally much larger than the population of both young and old dependents. This condition makes the burden of caring for dependents proportionally lower, and can spur growth, freeing up revenues that can be reinvested in the economy.

In Cambodia, the segment of the population under the age of 14 had shrunk by nearly 10 per cent since 2008 to 34 per cent, Derveeuw said, "confirming the demographic window of opportunity has opened and more young people enter the labour market".

Hang Lina, director general of the Institute of Statistics in the Ministry of Planning, said yesterday's provisional results offer an incomplete picture, and that 14 further reports on reproductive issues, child mortality, migration, education, workforce participation, housing and gender were slated to be released soon.

The ruling Cambodian People's Party has invited the opposition to meet and discuss how the two parties could share power and form a government, Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy president Kem Sokha said.

Speaking to about 400 supporters at a voter forum at the party's Tuol Kork headquarters, Sokha said the CNRP, however, was not interested in a coalition, and would not join a government until "justice is served".

"The ruling party has invited the [CNRP] to meet and share power in parliament and in government. I would like to promise [voters] that the CNRP will not join with the ruling party. If we join, we would have the same fate as [former CPP coalition partner] Funcinpec," he said.

"We must find justice for voters first, and only then will we take [our seats] in parliament and form a government."

CPP spokesman and lawmaker Cheam Yeap rejected Sokha's claim yesterday evening.

"My party has not sent a message to the [CNRP]. If that party will not join my party [in government], my party will do it alone. The CNRP does not agree with the will of the people who voted for 55 seats for them in parliament," he said.

Yeap pointed to a 2006 constitutional amendment that stipulates only a 50 per cent-plus-one majority in the National Assembly is needed to form a government.

"You need only 63 seats, and [we] have 68 seats, so there is no problem. There is no political deadlock."

In his speech yesterday, Sokha emphasised that along with a thorough investigation into election irregularities, the CNRP was requesting that certain political concessions and institutional reforms be made if they are to take their parliamentary seats.

"Promises that [say], come and join first and then [we] will change this and change that, we don't believe [in such promises]."

He maintained that mass demonstrations were a "last resort", but added that if forces loyal to the government attacked or shot unarmed supporters in the event of a protest, the International Criminal Court would "take action".

The Smart Cambodian Mountain Bike Series 2013 takes an exciting turn as Kampong Speu provides the perfect backdrop for the fourth round on Sunday.

A fierce on-going rivalry between Ngul Leach and Yoeun Phyuth, separated by just one point in the standings after three rounds, will be stirred up when the two clash again in the Elite A1 class.

Cheers will be loudest for 18-year-old Phyuth, who happens to be a hometown boy and is all set to go wheel-to-wheel with his seasoned challenger Leach as the two try to pedal their way to winning glory again.

Phyuth exploded on his bike at Silk Island off the Mekong river near Phnom Penh in the series opener on April 21 to make his EY Cycling team proud.

Leach responded with great vitality by mastering the rugged hills of Kep in the second stage on May 19 to keep his Flying Bikes flag fluttering.

When the series returned to Phnom Penh's Preak Leap track on June 9, it was Phyuth who stole the show again with a win, although Leach grabbed third place to go with his second and first placings to stay in pole position.

The two robust riders now mount their bikes almost on level footing with their sights firmly fixed on the championship title.

The Elite class riders, experienced as they are, will go round six laps of a 2.5km course through challenging terrain with steep climbs putting their stamina and endurance to a severe test.

There are competitions in seven other categories stretching from the A2 Expert class for over-30-year-olds down to the K class for kids 13 and younger and including events for women, juniors and novices.

According to event organiser Pierre-Yves Catry, around 150 participants are expected to take part in Sunday's fourth round.

While the route and number of laps differ from one category to the next, the kids will ride a short track around a pagoda, approximately one kilometre laps, four times.

Entry registrations close today, with fees set at: students (18 and below) $3; Cambodian adults $8; and foreigners $15.

Transportation charge for students is $3, while for Cambodian adults it is $5 and foreigners $10. The prizes on offer include trophies, medals, cash incentives and bicycle accessories.

For registration contact Smey on 098 806 035, or by emailing either flyingbicycles@online.com.kh or smey@cyclingoffroad.com.