JS-CAMBODIA

12 December 2003 - Phnom Penh Office Christmas Party
The day started early. Our first guest arrived at 7am. It was the day of the Jesuit Service Phnom Penh Christmas Party and we were expecting around 150 guests for a 6pm start. Everyone had a job as there was lots of preparation to be done - from preparing food, to organising drinks, to setup of the tables and chairs. The office was full of activity and excitement. 6pm came and we began our festivities with a Mass, which was celebrated by Fathers' Kike, In Dong and In Gung, in Khmer and English. After Mass we all enjoyed wonderful food, singing and dancing. Christmas fever began in earnest that evening.

16 December 2003 - Banteay Prieb Graduation
After 12 months of living and studying at our Vocational School, Centre of the Dove, about 80 students, all of whom are challenged by disabilities like blindness or loss of limbs through polio or mines, were graduating. Equipped with training and expertise in a specific skill like tailoring, sculpture, electronics, mechanics, carpentry, farming and the like, the graduating students will return to their villages to seek employment or even set-up their own business.

The Graduation Day was a big affair. Presided over by the Cambodian Minister of Social Action, the students beamed from ear to ear as they received their Certificate of Graduation. When the formalities ended, the real fun began. There was singing, dancing, eating, and lots of laughing and smiling. The celebrating went on well into the early morning. On behalf of everyone here at Jesuit Service, we wish our students the best of luck for their future. Of course, our Centre of the Dove Vocational team will stay in contact with the graduating students and provide support where needed.

18 December 2003 - Farewell to Hiroko and the two Singaporian Novices, Richard and Wilson
After six years at Jesuit Service in Phnom Penh, it was time for our favourite Japanese volunteer, Hiroko to bid us farewell. With many years of service devoted to the poor and needy, Hiroko is taking some well-deserved time out in Thailand before she decides where to go next.

We also farewelled Richard and Wilson - two novices from Singapore. Both were here to complete a 6 week stay in Cambodia. Richard spent most of his time in Battambang with Father Kike and his team, while Wilson lived in the Catholic Church Student Hostel in Phnom Penh with Father Ashley and Lucia.

19 December 2003 - Everyone takes a well-earned rest
With the year fast drawing to a close so too does the office work. Today, the office closes for almost two weeks and it is holiday time for our staff. The office reopens January 5, 2004.

20 December 2003 - Visit by Spanish Secretary of State
On a visit to Phnom Penh and Cambodia, the Spanish Secretary of State for International Co-operation made a special visit to our Vocational Centre, Centre of Dove. After a tour of the Centre's facilities, the guests were entertained by traditional Khmer dancing.

10 December 2003 - University students go to the beach
Over 45 of the university students from the Catholic Church Student Centre Hostel run by Father Ashley and Lucia, went to Kompong Soum (the beach) yesterday. They enjoyed the sun, surf and the big day out.

7-10 December 2003 -Visitors galore!
This week, we've seen lots of people come and go. We had two French doctors leave Cambodia after completing over 20 ear operations on our young children in Battambang. Also, we've had three Spanish doctors arrive. They're here to perform operations on people with club malformations. We've also had three Australians arrive - one teacher and two students from Xavier College in Melbourne. And of course, Sr Denise arrived back from Taiwan safely.

6 December 2003 - Farewell to In Young
Today, we farewelled one of our young Jesuit scholastics, In Young (pictured far right in the photo). In Young has been with us for nearly two years, of which he's spent most of his time at Banteay Prieb helping staff involved in the production area. Now sadly, it's time for him to leave Cambodia and return to his homeland, Korea. After a short stay in Korea, he'll relocate to Melbourne, Australia to undertake further theological studies. On behalf of the team at Jesuit Service, we wish In Young the best of luck with his studies in Australia and we all hope to see him soon.

4 December 2003 - Sr. Denise flies out to Taiwan
After a delayed flight, Sr. Denise finally headed off to Taiwan today for a Jesuit Service Country Head and the Major Superior meeting. She will return early next week.

3 December 2003 - National Disabled Day
Today National Disabled was held in Hun Sen Park in Phnom Penh. More than five hundred young people disabled by landmines, polio and other disabilities came together to celebrate the important day. With speeches, singing, dancing and games, the young people including our students from Banteay Prieb enjoyed themselves. Our staff also manned a stand where we showcased some of our wheelchairs and sculptures made in Banteay Prieb.