Situated 25 kilometres out of Phnom Penh city, the Centre of the Dove, or Banteay Prieb as it is known in Khmer, is a Centre for young people disabled by landmines, war, polio and accidents.
Banteay Prieb has an interesting history - it once housed a communications centre, a factory, a prison and sadly was also the scene of Khmer Rouge killings. In 1991, Banteay Prieb was transformed by Jesuit Service Cambodia into the Centre of the Dove.
The Centre of the Dove quickly established itself as a welcoming place for the disabled to come live and tell their own stories, gather strength and hope from being with one another. As well, they come to learn new skills that enhance their sense of dignity and worth, and provide either a permanent or part time income generating possibility.
Each year, the Centre offers nearly 100 young men and women physically challenged by injuries from mines or UXO, polio, accident or congenital causes, training in various skills including carpentry, machine repair, tailoring, sculpting, agriculture and electronics.
The Centre provides three core services to these young men
and women including vocational training, wheel chair production and an outreach
program.
