Sunday 24 March 2013

School's out

During the period between 1975-1979, the Khmer Rouge killed approximately 2 million people.  

A quarter of the population at the time.  That means 1 in 4 people...people who, if my age in 1979, would now be only 65 years old.  It was so recent.


Tuol Sleng 
This picture is taken from an ordinary school in Phnom Penh which Jon and I saw 3 months ago in January. The school was turned into a prison and torture centre by the Khmer Rouge and is now a museum. 


When the Vietnamese broke into the prison towards the end of the Khmer Rouge reign they found someone tied to this exact bed, in this exact room. Nothing has been moved. The item hanging on the left wall in the above photo is a blown up photograph showing the person the Vietnamese found in this exact room when they entered. It's gruesome.

No need for packed lunch

The Khmer Rouge specifically targeted and killed almost 90% of the educated population.  That means anyone that went to school (at primary school, secondary school or university), teachers, doctors, university professors, lawyers, architects, engineers.

It means an entire nation now struggles to learn the skills necessary to develop infrastructure like roads and bridges, establish sewerage and drainage systems, combat disease, stimulate business, build and provide affordable housing or protect its environment.  

The result distinguishes Cambodia from almost all modern countries. The Khmer Rouge destroyed the medical, legal and economic infrastructure of the country and traumatised those left behind. Cambodia has not recovered from that destruction.


By educating and empowering the brightest young women in Cambodia, there is a real chance that they will be able stimulate growth and development across the entire country.  



PS They really do drive motos like this. 

Monday 18 March 2013

Houng and Sithat

Kristen is handing over the South dorm to me in May.  She's given me very good tips on what to expect like  "pack all the soap or lotion you will need during your time here as it is very hard to find soap or lotion that isn't a whitening or skin bleaching product."  Useful to know!

Kristen has also told me who I will be living with!  They will be two girls called Houng and Sithat.  Sithat is a 4th year law major (and I understand very busy with school and volunteering).  Sithat will be graduating and moving out of Harpswell in August and talks lots about getting a flat in the city and a job. So I will definitely need to help her with job applications, writing cover letters and editing her CV. Houng is a 2nd year International Relations major and is very interested in world affairs and journalism. Kristen says she is sometimes very loud and likes to sing...sounds like they are great fun!

Just realised I will be missing Royal Ascot in June this year.   Maybe I should organise Ladies Day in Phnom Penh (without the gambling but with hats and lots of dressing up!)


This was last years Ascot outfit.

Thursday 14 March 2013

Donate and Fundraising Target


Donations

If you would like to make a donation towards The Harpswell Foundation and Rachel's costs of getting to and working in Phnom Penh, please donate using the link below:

Donate Now

Fundraising Target £5,000 or equivalent in USD (USD are used in Cambodia)

TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED SO FAR £4,385

What your kind donations will achieve and will be put towards:

1  The Harpswell Foundation

  • A donation of $360 will pay for a year's food for one woman in the Leadership Center.
  • A donation of $375 will pay for a year's college tuition.
  • A donation of $150 will pay for a teacher's salary in Tramung Chrum for six months.
  • A donation of $1000 will pay for a year's health care for Tramung Chrum.
  • A gift of $1200 will pay for a year's internet costs in the Leadership Centers.
  • A gift of $2000 will support the full cost of one young woman for one year at the Leadership Center.
  • A gift of $2000 will pay for a year's supply of materials at the girls' sewing school in the village of Tramung Chrum.
  • A gift of $3500 will pay for a year's 24-hour security service in the Leadership Center.
  • A gift of $300,000 will entitle you to name the new Leadership Center in Teuk Thla


  • 2  Rachel's costs of getting to and working in Phnom Penh

    • Business Visa $25 (month one)
    • Business Visa $75 (months two and three)
    • Long Stay Medical Insurance £115.70
    • Flight 1 (May to June) £661.40
    • Flight 2 (June to August) £890.40

    Rachel will receive accommodation free of charge in the dormitory and a "tuk tuk" allowance of $200 per month from The Harpswell Foundation.  Rachel will fund all other costs and expenses of getting to and living in Cambodia such as immunisations, materials for her work with Harpswell, phone, food and transport and is taking unpaid leave from her job in the UK for the three month period. 

    Wednesday 13 March 2013

    Local Support





    The Connection Magazine - March Issue



     
     

    Video - First Dormitory in Phnom Penh

    Alan Lightman (Director of The Harpswell Foundation)

    Alan talks about the first Harpswell dormitory in Phnom Penh

    Video - Hardship faced by women in Cambodia

    You Tube - Hardship faced by women in Cambodia

    Preparation

    I didn't realise quite how wonderfully disease free we are in the UK until I started looking into immunisations necessary for a three month trip to Phnom Penh.

    It's also the rainy season between May and October (when I am going) which means stagnant pools of water and mossies...can't believe I'm having to consider taking wellington boots to Cambodia.Still, I'm sure it's all going to add to the adventure.

    Really keen to get out there and crack on. I will be leading workshops to help the girls build leadership skills (such as critical thinking, presentation skills and networking), learn about CV writing and setting them up with work placements and mentors.

    There won't be much personal space in the dormitory.  I am sharing a room with three other girls in bunk beds so I will need to pack LIGHT.

    A Tuk Tuk should be waiting for me on arrival to take me to the dormitory in southern Phnom Penh. Hopefully with a little room for my bag.












    How exciting.

    It started with a wedding in Hong Kong





    Wedding in Hong Kong

    It all started with a fantastic family trip to Hong Kong over Christmas to see my little sister Lou Lou get married to Hillman (congratulations again guys). Jon and I thought we would take an extra week to visit Vietnam and Cambodia afterwards.

    Phnom Penh

    We only spent 3 days in Cambodia and I completely fell in love with the place. Still developing, whizzing motos everywhere, street snacks wrapped in banana leaf, bargaining with Tuk Tuks, Plae Pakaa dancing, fresh curries, Vietnamese Pho and beautiful people.

    The Cambodia Daily

    I sat on the flight from Phnom Penh at the end of the 3 days and it hadn't felt nearly enough time to get to know the country and the people living there.  As I sat there I flicked through the pages of The Cambodia Daily, a newspaper offered to us on the flight.  I saw an advert from The Harpswell Foundation seeking leadership residents to work in one of their dormitories and squealed at Jon next to me "I can do this!!". His reply with a massive smile was "you're going to have to do it then!"

    Khmer Rouge

    Part of the reason I felt so drawn to Cambodia is that I studied the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge when I was at university (BSC Law with International Relations).

    I secured an internship with the UN Security Council in New York (through the UK FCO) and helped write the resolutions to bring international action against the perpetrators.  It was an incredible experience, surrounded by world leaders, Kofi Annan and privy to discussions of the Security Council and General Assembly.

    I had always wanted to go and actually visit the place but never had enough money on a student budget to make the flight.  I do now and am so glad we did.


    Tuesday 12 March 2013

    Come and join a Ladies Spring Hike!





    Date Saturday 20 April 2013
    Time 10am to 4pm
    Place National Trust Devils Punchbowl, Hindhead, Surrey

    http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hindhead-and-devils-punchbowl/visitor-information/

    Meeting Point Gather in the Christ Church Virginia Water car park for 10 am. We plan to car share and possibly use one Christ Church minibus. Please let us know if you want a lift from the Christ Church car park and back after the walk. We will be leaving the Church Church Virgina Water car park at about 10am with the aim of setting off on the first stage of the walk from the National Trust Devils Punchbowl car park at 1045am.

    The Walk A figure of eight walk.  The first half is approximately 2.8 miles.  A  soup and roll lunch will be provided at the Cafe located at the National Trust Devils Punchbowl car park at approximately 1230pm.  We will then aim to set off on the second and final part of the walk at 145pm.  There will be an option to walk for 3.1 miles (for a slightly more challenging walk) or a 1 mile walk to Gibbet Hill.  We will then return for tea and cake at the Cafe afterward the second leg of the walk for those that would like to (please bring a little money for tea and cake) before heading back to Virginia Water.  

    Donation We would be delighted to receive what ever amount you feel you would like to give. All donations received will go directly towards The Harpswell Foundation and the costs which Rachel has incurred in getting to Phnom Penh. Suggested minimum of £25.  The soup and roll lunch will be included.  You may want a little money for the tea and cake later on.

    Practical considerations Walk will suit all abilities and will have clear way markings. Individual maps will be provided on arrival. See map photo for detail. The terrain may be muddy and a little hilly so stout footwear is recommended and suitable clothing will be needed for all weathers! Maybe bring a drink and a small snack to share.
    The reserved group lunch at the CafĂ© will give us a  chance to hear from Rachel about her 3 month stay in Phnom Penh and her hopes and ideas as she prepares to go next month!

    We are looking forward to the fun of walking together and at the same time helping young women in Cambodia with the chance to have a university education and develop the leadership skills necessary to have a positive impact on Cambodia's future.

    RSVP to Joanna Sizer to joannasizer@gmail.com
    (Spaces are limited so do hurry)

    Thursday 7 March 2013

    Empowering Women in the Developing World



    The Harpswell Foundation provides leadership training and accommodation to Cambodian women who have shown strong academic ability and/or leadership potential with the aim of them moving into leadership roles in Cambodian business, law and politics.

    Specifically, the women develop negotiation, critical thinking and presentation skills. There are two dormitories across Phnom Penh, with approximately 80 women.

    The NGO was visited by Hilary Clinton last year and has funding and support from the UN, Peace Corps and MIT University. A large number of the women have gone on to accept work experience in the USA and permanent employment in Phnom Penh following their time at The Harpswell Foundation.

    For more information see The Harpswell Foundation.

    To sponsor The Harpswell Foundation, please get in touch with Rachel