Music Training Therapy Blind Youth Cambodia

Dear Kind Donors and Friends of our School,

How grateful we are to you all for your kindness and constancy. It is Thanks to your help, that our Blind Children and Youth, can study and grow in peace and in an atmosphere of love and respect, constantly improving and developing and allowing them to perform professionally.

Today, however, I must inform you all of the situation inside Cambodia. To do so, we must look back into History, thus allowing greater and deeper understanding.

Over one thousand and five hundred years ago, Cambodia had an ancient and advanced civilization in the SouthWest of the Country, Phnom Da, in an area which now borders Takeo and Kampot Province. Around this time, Indian Scholars and Sages came and introduced Hinduism and Sanskrit (writing) as well as Indian Art-forms of architecture and sculptures. Cambodia rapidly flourished and all over Cambodia there were and still are, beautiful Temples which represent the unison of both Khmer and Indian Architecture. 

Later on, around one thousand years ago, Cambodia's capital moved from the Southwest, to the Northwest in what is now Siem Reap Province. From there the great Angkorian Empire arose and what we know now as the Temples of Angkor Wat and all the surrounding Temples near and far. In this era, under King Jayavaraman VII, Theravada Buddhism became the official religion. Cambodia ruled over what is known as modern day Thailand, Myannmar and Laos and was a vast kingdom and a very advanced civilization, with Temples, Libraries, Pools, Irrigation Systems and exquisite Sculptures. 

In later centuries, the power of the Angkorian Kings diminished and their Capital moved to Ou Dong and then to Phnom Penh, which is today the Capital of Cambodia.  The ancient Temples of Angkor remained and were restored by French Archeologists during the late 1800s up until and beyond Cambodia's Independence in 1958, because Cambodia remained in good relations with France after French rule ceased in Indochina.

However, during World War II, Cambodia was invaded by the Imperial Japanese Army, as was Burma (Myannmar) and it is in nearby Burma that the notorious Death Railway was constructed. Neighbouring Thailand became an Ally of Japan, notwithstanding the Imperial Army's war crimes in all of Southeast Asia. As a reward to Thailand, parts of Cambodia were annexed, as well as parts of Laos and Burma (Myannmar) and given to Thailand.

After World War II, these territories were given back to Cambodia, Myannmar and Laos respectively by Allied Forces. Thailand did not face retribution for its involvement in the atrocities of the Imperial Japanese Army and for siding with Facism, in part, because the  Thai Ambassador to the United States was secretly part of the Free-Thai Movement and aided the Allies.

Today, very sadly, the military-government of Thailand has declared that it wants parts of Cambodia again, and the Ancient Temples near the border. However, Thailand has not only bombed the border of Cambodia, but Thai military with F1 fighter planes have bombed well inside Cambodia, over 170km within the territory, killing civilians and bombing schools, Pagodas and civilian houses. At the same time, Koh Kong Province, which is the other side of Cambodia and on the coast, was shelled by the Thai Navy, hitting a Buddhist Pagoda and Civilian houses. The Temples, which Thailand claimed as its own, namely the 11th Century Preah Vihear amongst others, was badly damaged by Thai shelling, as were other ancient Temples.

The war has so far caused inside Cambodia, 18 civilian deaths, 85 injuries and caused over 400,000 displaced People, including approximately 216, 000 Children.

Our School has become part of an Emergency Response, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Friends International and Childsafe.. We are one of the few organizations able to offer shelter to Children and pregnant women fleeing the war.

For those Cambodians who lived through the Civil War and the Khmer Rouge genocide, that which is happening on Cambodian soil, has evoked painful memories and deep traumas.

Notwithstanding this challenging situation, our School continues every day to look after our Children in Residence, who have lost their parents, or been abused or abandoned, as well as our Blind Youth. All our Children and Blind Youth continue with their studies, scholastic as well as Traditional Khmer Music, Dance, Lakoun Sabaik (Shadow Puppet Theatre) and ancient Yike (pronounced Yikay).

As we think of those Thai friends who love Cambodia and all that is Good, we Pray for Peace for Cambodia and in the Hearts of those who have forgotten the Inestimable Value of Peace..

Photograph of our KCDI Students made with their permission, kind courtesy S. Porte

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