Dhamma Aid Cambodia

June 2008 Update

It has been some time since our last update.  The wheels took a little longer to grind  forward this year, but we have some great news.

Scholarships for monks

We received 8 sponsorships of USD 220 each for the scholarships of monk students of the Phra Sihanouk Raj University for the current academic year 2008. Together with the other sponsorships received by KEAP, the coordinator of this program, this would be the most scholarships since this project was started.  However, in view of the weaker US dollar and the sharp spike in inflation in Phnom Penh, KEAP has decided to structure the scholarships into amounts of USD250 each.  Thus the 8 scholarships we raised have been turned into 7 scholarships.  It's sad that even monks studying in a third world country are not spared the vagaries of the international economic system. Even so, I am sure that the recipients are even more appreciative of the scholarships.  A  big Thank You to the sponsors of the eight scholarships;

Publications

The publication of our latest book, the English-Khmer bilingual edition of "How To Overcome Your Difficulties" was delayed as the translator, Ven Bunsim, wanted his work to be checked by a professor of the Khmer language.  Thus the printing of 4,500 copies of this book, authored by the late Ven K Sri Dhammananda, was completed only in April.  This print was sponsored by the Brickfields Mahavihara.  As far as I know, this is the only book by the late Chief Rev that has been translated into Khmer. Ven Bunsim told me that it was very well liked and appreciated by the Cambodians. I think the late Chief Rev would have been very happy to see his popular books translated into yet another foreign language   We decided to print the book in a bilingual format even though it increased the cost as it is our intention to produce books for the younger generation.   We were often reminded that the Cambodian youth have a very strong desire to learn English as a means to obtain better opportunities, so bilingual books were especially treasured.

The books are being distributed in Phnom Penh as well as in other parts of the country.  The pictures below show one particular event when Ven Sinkong Nyanajoti distributed the books to high school students in Tbeng Meanchey, the principal town in the northern province of Preah Vihear.  Even by Cambodian standards, this place is considered to be far "out in the sticks" with the people living in remote villages.   People here are mostly farmers, barely able to scrape together a meager livelihood from their land which continue to hide land mines from the war.  The students in the government high school would be considered to be among the smartest and the most fortunate to reach this level of education.  It is a struggle for them to continue their education in the face of poverty and constant pressure to return to the farms to assist their families.

The monks had a small ceremony before distributing 3 of our recent publications. (Yes, they actually have everyone take refuge before the books are given out. What a difference from the circumstances here.)  Each student received one book so they would have to swap books among themselves to read them all.  

Encouraged by the populariy of Chief's book, Ven Bunsim now wishes to translate selected chapters of Chief's bestseller "Why Worry".  He feels the wisdom and advice in the book would greatly benefit the people.

Enjoy the pics below.......that's it for now.


Books for distribution:-
"Buddhist Ethics in Daily Life" by Sayadaw Dhammapiya,
"How to Overcome your Difficultiies" by Ven K Sri Dhammananda,
"Good Question Good Answer" by Ven Dhammika.


One book for each student.


Displaying the books in the class.


Students excitedly examining the books.


Yu Ban
June  2008

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