Dhamma Aid Cambodia

July 2010 Update

Dear friends of Dhamma Aid Cambodia,

Following our appeal in our May 2010 update, several old and new supporters of DAC responded generously.

Roof for Nun's building in Wat Poveal

We are very grateful to Mabel Wee, Linnet Tan, Ivy Wee and Kok Wai for the sponsorship of the roof for the nun's building in Wat Poveal, Battambang, the main town in the western part of Cambodia.  The building serves as the living quarters for the nuns and also houses a meditation space on the first floor. The roof was installed just before the start of the rainy season.  It is hoped that with better facilities in this important nun's monastery, more women will be encouraged to join the community.

The building early this year with the incomplete roof.

The same building with the spanking new roof.

2010 Monastic Scholarships

We are equally thankful to the following sponsors of the 7 scholarships for the monastic students of the Phra Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University for this academic year. 

Mabel Wee, Tammy Huang, Kok Wai and Ivy Linnet Tan A.B. Lim Khor Song Joo Yew Lye Seng and Teh Chi Chang (2 scholarships)

Peter and a Singaporean friend with two of the monastic students who are now proceeding to Sri Lanka for their Masters, a testament to the KEAP scholarship program.

Mr Peter Gyallay Pap of KEAP which monitors the scholarship program, remarked that our support together with those of others from around the world may make this a record year in terms of the number of sponsored scholarships. More importantly, the funds will help defray the cost of living for these bright monastic students studying in Phnom Penh, many of whom are from poor families living in the provinces.

New book - "Dhammapadipa for Young Students"

We are currently working on a new book titled "Dhammapadipa for Young Students".  Targeted towards a younger readership, it is a useful book for teaching basic Buddhism to children.  Last published in 1989, it was sorely in need of a make over. A few months ago, I requested assistance for an artist to help with the book's design cover. SH Yeoh, the Managing Director of a book publishing company and his artist and SY Moy kindly agreed to assist and you can see the excellent results below.

The old book published in 1989. Note the cute cover depicting the Buddha teaching the children from a book.

Working on the book with Ven Bunsim

The new cover for the book, a modern look but keeping to the original concept.

We are collaborating on this book with a Phnom Penh based NGO called Youth Resource Development Program. YDRP works with university students to develop awareness of human rights, peace building, gender equity, community development and inter-faith and cross-cultural understanding. The book has been funded by 2 parties, an anonymous donor and a group of Indonesian friends headed by Yanti. Many thanks to you and Sadhu for your kind assistance.  We are presently working on some final details and expect to print 4,000 copies by August or September.

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