I Was in a Khmer Play!

Over Khmer New Year, I went up to Battambang to help out with Sambath and Sambon's program with Countryside Class. As part of the 3 nights of entertainment they put on at Kampongseyma Pagoda, the kids worked together to write and act out a play, which they generously invited me to take part in. So here's 'I was in a Khmer play!' (part 1).

Victory!

Over Khmer New Year, Countryside Class worked with World Vision to put on three nights of entertainment at Kampongseyma Pagoda in Battambang Province. Part of the festivities were traditional games, which I got to take part in on the final night. You’re allowed only three swings, so Sambath says I cheated; I maintain, however, that I was merely seeking with a wide sweep and succeeded on my third hit.

Countryside Class, a small community organization just outside of Battambang Town, Cambodia, joined this year with Peace Corps' 3rd annual Create Cambodia Arts Festival.

During the Student Showcase, they performed a the traditional Coconut Dance (which comes out of Svay Rieng!). You can watch the video here.

Oh Battambang!

Oh Battambang - A Short Documentary about Art in Cambodia's Battambang Province

This short documentary, Oh Battambang, was created by a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cambodia who arrived in my group in 2011. Arnoldo lived and worked in Battambang Town, Battambang Province, and he worked closely with the art community in the town.

Before the war, Battambang was reknown for its artists, who were then targeted during the Khmer Rouge regime. But now, as Arnoldo shows, Battambang is reclaiming its heritage.

A Cambodian Native: A Visionary Rebuilding His Country, One Child at a Time

Check out this interview with Sambath Meas of Countryside Class in Battambang Province, Cambodia, the organization I’ve been working very closely with.


You can also learn more about Countryside Class at http://countrysideclass.blogspot.com/

Countryside Class: Help Us Build a New Classroom

I’ve been working very closely with this organization for the past several months, and I strongly believe in its mission and the individuals who are carrying it out. Please consider making a small donation.

Sambath, his niece, a few of the girls from the school, and I went swimming in the river behind the house. Probably not the best decision health-wise, but we had a blast, and I got to start teaching the three young girls how to swim.