Geoffroy Auzou(Production Coordinatorvaa)

When I arrived here in Banteay Prieb 10 months ago, as a volunteer, I was quite excited about my mission. I was to help running the Production Department of Banteay Prieb for 2 years and particularly bring it closer to being a fully autonomous sustainable social business which could provide well-paid jobs, using my university background in Business and Management for the good of the Center and of the beneficiaries of this center: the deprived Khmer people with disabilities. But as the first months went by and I was discovering more about the place and the work, I found myself a

little lost, still wondering how things were actually working and losing sight about where we were actually heading for. However, thanks to the support and patience of my colleagues, I always felt welcome. And then, luckily, I met some people outside Banteay Prieb, but with a great expertise and heart, who decided to give me a hand finding our way to our goals: attaining profitability, building autonomy, increasing skills and sales... The spirit that reigns here in Banteay Prieb is very beautiful. The values on which the work is based have

proven just. Some great work has already been done. When you visit the workshops and the shops, you can sense that there are deep foundations. But now, I feel it is time for the workshops of Banteay Prieb to use these advantages to take one step further, with a little more ambition, but always keeping the priority goals: ensure good salaries, hire and finance the vocational training center.When you want to have a taller or stronger house, you start by checking the foundations and strengthen them

where needed. 2013 will be the year when the foundations of our workshops will be studied and carried up to a higher level of professionalism.As a young volunteer, it is not always easy to feel whether you can do it, because it is really challenging. But

something nice about JSC is that they trust you and give you time, so you feel obliged to be up for the task. Moreover, it is very nice to live and work in such a project as Banteay Prieb, where you witness miracles happen all the time: disabled people stepping out of their feeling of shame, bonds of solidarity and great joy displayed around the student’s houses as well as in the workshops… There is joyful pride in the air that can inspire you to become a better person if you let it flow through you.

The Exciting Challenge of BP Production Workshops

Vol. 12 Banteay Prieb

Nursing trees for Cambodia

During the last quarter of 2012, construction of a modest space to raise tree seedlings began near the agriculture area of Banteay Prieb. Initially measur-ing 5m x 11m, the agriculture students of year 2012, together with their teacher Mr Mam Sony, built by themselves a simple structure of four low walls with tree trunk posts supporting a green nylon-sheet roof to regulate heat and sunlight for the young seedlings.

The nursery was built mainly to help in addressing Cambodia’s continued deforestation. In particular, the tree nursery has four basic objectives. The first is to teach the agricultural students of Banteay Prieb how to grow native hardwood tree seedlings from seeds. This is a new part of their cur-riculum which they never had before. Different species have different char-acteristics and so there is no single predetermined process to suit all kinds of seeds. Each species requires a slightly different approach in order to grow. This is an additional skill which the students can use when they go back home.

Banteay Prieb has been producing wheelchairs and sculptures for over twenty years now. The wood used for wheelchairs is one kind of hardwood locally called Daunchem (Terrietia javanica), while the woods commonly used for sculptures are the white Dai Khla (Gardenia angkoriensis) and the reddish Thnong (Pterocarpus macrocarpus). These hardwoods ultimately come from natural forests, which are continuously decreasing in size. If we can grow these same species and somehow return them to the forest, then our consumption would be a bit more environmentally sustainable. This is the second objective.

There are many species of Cambodian native hardwoods but only a handful is propagated by government nurseries. Deforestation goes on at a rapid pace and already today the less popular species are becoming harder and harder to find. Thus, before the rare species completely disappear from Cambodian forests, it would be good to source good seeds, grow them, and plant them all around the country thereby helping preserve a part of Cambodia’s natural forests. Thus, the third objective is to help conserve Cambodia’s threatened hardwood species.

Finally, the forth objective is to offer carbon offsetting for the air travels of those living in our communities, those working in our institutions, and also of our guests and friends. Every time we ride an airplane, we are responsible for producing carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming and climate change. The amount of carbon dioxide we produce from each flight can be approximated and translated to the number of trees needed to absorb one’s emissions. For example, a direct return trip from Incheon to Phnom Penh will incur 0.71 metric tons of CO2 for each passenger, which could mean growing one to six trees (depending on many factors such as

tree species, age, location) for up to 20 or 30 years in order to absorb the carbon dioxide that you produced. We envision a nursery that can provide this service for our members and friends.

Helping to bring these objectives to life are Ban Sokhom, a former student from agriculture class 2012, super-vised by agriculture head teacher Mr Mam Sony. Together, they also oper-ate the nursery in a way that is envi-ronmentally friendly. Although not yet fully functioning, we envision a nurs-ery that is chemical-free, generating and growing on organic compost, and using solar power for its energy requirements.

At present, there are over a thousand seedlings of seven species of Cambo-dian hardwood trees. By the time this year’s planting season arrives, we expect to have around 5000 seedlings available. Eventually, we hope that this little nursery in Banteay Prieb can somehow contribute to the reforesta-tion and ecological restoration of Cambodia’s natural heritage.

By. Fr Gabby Lamug-Nañawa, SJ

Vol. 12 Banteay Prieb

During the last quarter of 2012, construction of a modest space to raise tree seedlings began near the agriculture area of Banteay Prieb. Initially measur-ing 5m x 11m, the agriculture students of year 2012, together with their teacher Mr Mam Sony, built by themselves a simple structure of four low walls with tree trunk posts supporting a green nylon-sheet roof to regulate heat and sunlight for the young seedlings.

The nursery was built mainly to help in addressing Cambodia’s continued deforestation. In particular, the tree nursery has four basic objectives. The first is to teach the agricultural students of Banteay Prieb how to grow native hardwood tree seedlings from seeds. This is a new part of their cur-riculum which they never had before. Different species have different char-acteristics and so there is no single predetermined process to suit all kinds of seeds. Each species requires a slightly different approach in order to grow. This is an additional skill which the students can use when they go back home.

Banteay Prieb has been producing wheelchairs and sculptures for over twenty years now. The wood used for wheelchairs is one kind of hardwood locally called Daunchem (Terrietia javanica), while the woods commonly used for sculptures are the white Dai Khla (Gardenia angkoriensis) and the reddish Thnong (Pterocarpus macrocarpus). These hardwoods ultimately come from natural forests, which are continuously decreasing in size. If we can grow these same species and somehow return them to the forest, then our consumption would be a bit more environmentally sustainable. This is the second objective.

There are many species of Cambodian native hardwoods but only a handful is propagated by government nurseries. Deforestation goes on at a rapid pace and already today the less popular species are becoming harder and harder to find. Thus, before the rare species completely disappear from Cambodian forests, it would be good to source good seeds, grow them, and plant them all around the country thereby helping preserve a part of Cambodia’s natural forests. Thus, the third objective is to help conserve Cambodia’s threatened hardwood species.

Finally, the forth objective is to offer carbon offsetting for the air travels of those living in our communities, those working in our institutions, and also of our guests and friends. Every time we ride an airplane, we are responsible for producing carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming and climate change. The amount of carbon dioxide we produce from each flight can be approximated and translated to the number of trees needed to absorb one’s emissions. For example, a direct return trip from Incheon to Phnom Penh will incur 0.71 metric tons of CO2 for each passenger, which could mean growing one to six trees (depending on many factors such as

tree species, age, location) for up to 20 or 30 years in order to absorb the carbon dioxide that you produced. We envision a nursery that can provide this service for our members and friends.

Helping to bring these objectives to life are Ban Sokhom, a former student from agriculture class 2012, super-vised by agriculture head teacher Mr Mam Sony. Together, they also oper-ate the nursery in a way that is envi-ronmentally friendly. Although not yet fully functioning, we envision a nurs-ery that is chemical-free, generating and growing on organic compost, and using solar power for its energy requirements.

At present, there are over a thousand seedlings of seven species of Cambo-dian hardwood trees. By the time this year’s planting season arrives, we expect to have around 5000 seedlings available. Eventually, we hope that this little nursery in Banteay Prieb can somehow contribute to the reforesta-tion and ecological restoration of Cambodia’s natural heritage.

Thnong and Dai Khla

Fr Gabby Lamug-Nañawa, SJ is a Jesuit priest from the Philippine Province. He first arrived in Cambodian in 2005. At present, he is involved in the Ecology Program of Jesuit Service-Cambodia. He hopes for both the alleviation of poverty and the preservation of important natural ecosystems here in Cambodia.

During the last quarter of 2012, construction of a modest space to raise tree seedlings began near the agriculture area of Banteay Prieb. Initially measur-ing 5m x 11m, the agriculture students of year 2012, together with their teacher Mr Mam Sony, built by themselves a simple structure of four low walls with tree trunk posts supporting a green nylon-sheet roof to regulate heat and sunlight for the young seedlings.

The nursery was built mainly to help in addressing Cambodia’s continued deforestation. In particular, the tree nursery has four basic objectives. The first is to teach the agricultural students of Banteay Prieb how to grow native hardwood tree seedlings from seeds. This is a new part of their cur-riculum which they never had before. Different species have different char-acteristics and so there is no single predetermined process to suit all kinds of seeds. Each species requires a slightly different approach in order to grow. This is an additional skill which the students can use when they go back home.

Banteay Prieb has been producing wheelchairs and sculptures for over twenty years now. The wood used for wheelchairs is one kind of hardwood locally called Daunchem (Terrietia javanica), while the woods commonly used for sculptures are the white Dai Khla (Gardenia angkoriensis) and the reddish Thnong (Pterocarpus macrocarpus). These hardwoods ultimately come from natural forests, which are continuously decreasing in size. If we can grow these same species and somehow return them to the forest, then our consumption would be a bit more environmentally sustainable. This is the second objective.

There are many species of Cambodian native hardwoods but only a handful is propagated by government nurseries. Deforestation goes on at a rapid pace and already today the less popular species are becoming harder and harder to find. Thus, before the rare species completely disappear from Cambodian forests, it would be good to source good seeds, grow them, and plant them all around the country thereby helping preserve a part of Cambodia’s natural forests. Thus, the third objective is to help conserve Cambodia’s threatened hardwood species.

Finally, the forth objective is to offer carbon offsetting for the air travels of those living in our communities, those working in our institutions, and also of our guests and friends. Every time we ride an airplane, we are responsible for producing carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming and climate change. The amount of carbon dioxide we produce from each flight can be approximated and translated to the number of trees needed to absorb one’s emissions. For example, a direct return trip from Incheon to Phnom Penh will incur 0.71 metric tons of CO2 for each passenger, which could mean growing one to six trees (depending on many factors such as

tree species, age, location) for up to 20 or 30 years in order to absorb the carbon dioxide that you produced. We envision a nursery that can provide this service for our members and friends.

Helping to bring these objectives to life are Ban Sokhom, a former student from agriculture class 2012, supervised by agriculture head teacher Mr Mam Sony. Together, they also operate the nursery in a way that is environmentally friendly. Although not yet fully functioning, we envision a nursery that is chemical-free, generating and growing on organic compost, and using solar power for its energy requirements.

At present, there are over a thousand seedlings of seven species of Cambodian hardwood trees. By the time this year’s planting season arrives, we expect to have around 5000 seedlings available. Eventually, we hope that this little nursery in Banteay Prieb can somehow contribute to the reforestation and ecological restoration of Cambodia’s natural heritage.

Vol. 12 Banteay Prieb

A Stroy From ChanthuonChanthuon is from Kampong Cham. He is 19 years old and he has come to Ban-teay Prieb to study electronics. In his spare time he enjoys strolling with friends and, since joining BP, he really enjoys reading his text books.

Chanthuon is relatively recently disabled. In a moto accident just one year ago, he broke a bone in the calf of his leg. When the accident happened he went to see the local medicine man at his village who provided some treatment. This treatment however was not successful and when two weeks had passed Chan-thuon could not take the pain any longer. He was taken to Pet Lok Song Hospital where doctors found they could not save his leg and had to amputate above the left knee - Chanthuon was just 18 years old.

He didn't waste any time however and he knew someone who had studied at Banteay Prieb, so he sought to become a student himself.

"I came here to study electronics but I'm learning so much more. Before I was ashamed because of my disability, I was different. But here, there are many people like me and that makes me happy. I'm also happy because before I came to Banteay Prieb, I did not have a skill, and here I can study and use my skill for the future."

"What impresses me most here are the teachers, they work wholeheartedly, they

By. Jo Smith

keep nothing for themselves they teach from the liver they are not competitive, they are selfless and what they know they pass on with real enthusiasm."

Two things have changed significantly for Chanthuon since coming to Banteay Prieb. "With the knowledge I am gaining from my class, I can repair things and I have a skill. Before there wasn't much in my life on which I could depend now I can rely on myself and having a skill also means that others are less likely to look down on me or to be put off my my disability Also, before I came, I didn't know who the other people here were, now we're friends and there's a great degree of comfort in that.."

Chanthuon wishes Banteay Prieb to continue to be a venue for people with dis-ability to help others helping people like him to have strength and to be encour-aged.

Thank you Chanthuon - Keep up the great work!

Vol. 12 Banteay Prieb

Vol. 11 BP Talk

Jo Smith has come to Banteay Prieb to collect the stories of some of the students past and present for a book which will offer some insight into the experiences of the people who attend Banteay Prieb and the significance of their work here.

Chanthuon is from Kampong Cham. He is 19 years old and he has come to Ban-teay Prieb to study electronics. In his spare time he enjoys strolling with friends and, since joining BP, he really enjoys reading his text books.

Chanthuon is relatively recently disabled. In a moto accident just one year ago, he broke a bone in the calf of his leg. When the accident happened he went to see the local medicine man at his village who provided some treatment. This treatment however was not successful and when two weeks had passed Chan-thuon could not take the pain any longer. He was taken to Pet Lok Song Hospital where doctors found they could not save his leg and had to amputate above the left knee - Chanthuon was just 18 years old.

He didn't waste any time however and he knew someone who had studied at Banteay Prieb, so he sought to become a student himself.

"I came here to study electronics but I'm learning so much more. Before I was ashamed because of my disability, I was different. But here, there are many people like me and that makes me happy. I'm also happy because before I came to Banteay Prieb, I did not have a skill, and here I can study and use my skill for the future."

"What impresses me most here are the teachers, they work wholeheartedly, they

keep nothing for themselves they teach from the liver they are not competitive, they are selfless and what they know they pass on with real enthusiasm."

Two things have changed significantly for Chanthuon since coming to Banteay Prieb. "With the knowledge I am gaining from my class, I can repair things and I have a skill. Before there wasn't much in my life on which I could depend now I can rely on myself and having a skill also means that others are less likely to look down on me or to be put off my my disability Also, before I came, I didn't know who the other people here were, now we're friends and there's a great degree of comfort in that.."

Chanthuon wishes Banteay Prieb to continue to be a venue for people with dis-ability to help others helping people like him to have strength and to be encour-aged.

Thank you Chanthuon - Keep up the great work!

Shy faces had disappeared and the students really began to con-centrate and feel the connection with their bodies.

Dancing Banteay PriebIn March, we had a simple movement workshop with Celine, a contemporary dancer from France. It's a bit unfamiliar to use every inch of one’s body, but they look like they are enjoying themselves!

Moving freely to the rhythm.

Relax and stretch with Celine’s direction.

Picnic at International Women’s Day

To celebrate the International Women’s Day, the female staff and students took a picnic out to Kep beach. They all enjoyed the day out together, building a strong bonds of communi-ty as the women of Banteay Prieb

60 students from Batch 25(2012) have new jobs

As a result of the support and visitation of the outreach team, 30 students have started their own workshops, 5 students have start-ed work in the BP Production workshops, 7 students have been employed by other NGO workshops, 12 students are working in fac-tories, 6 students found other jobs, 7 stu-dents are taking additional training, and 19 students are still looking for jobs

Welcoming New Students

On the 8th of January, 2013, students of batch 26 were welcomed to Banteay Prieb. 124 students entered. 5 students returned to their home for personal/various reasons, 119 students remained studying here. Please send them your good wishes for their contin-ued success.

Weekend Outing with own house members

On the weekend afternoon, when we don’t have class, houses members have started to take it in turn to go out with a picnic to a place near the pagoda called Ompei Phnum. So far four houses have enjoyed the picnics with their own community members and soon each house will have had their turn. The students enjoy this trip very much.

Small Mary holding baby Jesus

New Exhibition on Craft PEACE Cafe, “Dorsu-The struggle for change”

Psychology class for House teachers.

26th-27th March, House teachers attended the psychology class. With more specialized knowledge, we hope to provide better service to students.

New exhibition “Dorsu-The struggle for change’ is being held in Craft PEACE Café. The pho-tographer, Heather Stilwell is a Canadian pho-tographer/reporter who works with Voice of Democracy, an independent radio production. Most photographs were taken on the subject of street protests and other struggles by garment workers around Phnom Penh. The exhibition opened to a full audience on 23rd March, and photos will be exhibited till 5th May

This item is one favoured by the customers of Banteay Prieb. When you look at it from behind, its white roundish shape makes you think of an egg. But when you look at the front, it is quite easy to be seized by the feel-ing of warm tenderness of the motherly figure of Mary smiling while holding her adored baby Jesus below her left cheek.

Color : White (also available in stone)

Size : 7, 10, 12, 15 cm

Price : 8, 10, 15, 20 $

(7cm in stone : 10$)

How to Support Us * * * ********************************************************************************** * * *If you are interested in financially supporting our work here in Cambodia, please check this payment details.

You can also contribute to our work purchasing products from our Production Centre at Banteay Prieb, Please Check our product at this website : (http://bit.ly/haBPTG)

Special Thanks To.

한국국제협력단 Korea International Cooperation Agency(www.koica.go.kr)

한마음 한몸 운동본부One Body One Spirit Movement(www.obos.or.kr)

서교동 성당 Soekyo-dong Catholic Parish

함께 일하는 재단 Work Together Foundation(www.hamkke.org)

노틀담복지관 Notre Dame Rehabilitation Center

김윤정 Kim Yun Jung 장 안셀모 Jang Anselmous

Banteay Preib Victims of landmines, war, polio, and other acci-dents have trouble supporting themselves in an already impov-erished nation. JSC created the center in order to help teach watys to hopefully secure a future for its students.

The symbol depicts a flying dove holding a branch in its break. the Khmer inscribed in its wings translated to “Everything for Peace”

Bank ACLEDA Bank Plc.

Address

Detail

# 61, Preah Monivong Blvd., Sangkat Srah Chork, Khan Daun Penh,

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

855)23-994 444/ 15-999 233, inquiry@acledabank.com.kh

Account Saving SWIFT CODE ACLBKHPP CHIPS UID 415637Name Jesuit Service-Cambodia(Community)

Account No 0001-20-296380-2-9

노틀담복지관 Notre Dame Rehabilitation Center

CAMBOREN

Mouvement Eucharistique des Jeunes Lotus World

서강대학교 교목처 (Sogang University Campus Ministry)