The war and the Khmer Rouge genocide (1975-79) decimated Traditional Khmer Music and Arts and killed a third of the population. Our School has worked since 1994 to preserve Traditional Khmer Music and Arts for future generations of Cambodians. This Project provides Blind Youth with Vocational Training and Therapy in Traditional Khmer Music, as well as counselling and 24 hour care, so that they can forge a profession as Traditional Khmer Musicians and become Independent.
During the Khmer Rogue period, nearly 90% of artists were killed. This once rich and thriving culture is in danger of disappearing, forever. There is little knowledge about or chance to learn about Traditional Music forms and young people risk losing an important part of their own cultural identity. Blind Children and Youth in rural areas are very isolated, often ostracised, with no access to education or vocational training and almost always condemned to a Life of poverty and destitution.
The project provides free, high-quality Tuition in Traditional Khmer Music (Pin Peat, Mohori, Plein Ka, Smoet and Yike Music) to Blind Children and Youth, with the provision of accommodation, food, counselling and support. All is done in coordination with the local authorities and the families of the students. Provision is also made for state school lessons with support in Braille.
This program is of vital importance to Blind Children and Youth, who have experienced first hand the rejection of their communities, in order that they may thrive, regain self-confidence and esteem, cultivate professional skills through Traditional Khmer Music and feel emotional and psychological relief through the use of Music.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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