The New Banteay Prieb is…

On March 26, 2021, there was a simple Cambodian cultural ceremony at the New Banteay Prieb (Banteay Prieb Thmey) to mark the beginning of our new project at our new location. We had to move out from the previous location due to the Cambodian government’s sudden decision to take back the land it had given to Banteay Prieb in 1991 where we ran a vocational training program. The government had its own plans to develop this piece of land to support the disabled community in Cambodia. This decision caused us to stop our vocational training program at Banteay Prieb abruptly. As a result, the number of staff drastically reduced from 60 to 20, and only 10 staff remain after the relocation. Given this reality, many challenges followed over the past two years. We had to figure out a way to navigate through this unexpected and difficult situation to continue our work for the disabled community. Our plans changed several times, and it is still evolving as we continue to search for the best way forward.

On June 25, 2021, our Coordinator, Ms. Hyeyoung Shin ended her service as a JSC volunteer to pursue her Ph.D. studies. Also, the Cambodian staff who was to take over as the new Coordinator went on maternity leave. And so, I had no choice but to step in as the Acting Coordinator. This new assignment was seemingly not complicated at first but completing this year’s projects and planning for next year’s projects became rather challenging. In particular, we plan to start a new project called “Healing Community” next year which means we should try a pilot project this year. Given the closure of the vocational training center, and the extreme difficulty to follow-up with our graduates due to the COVID-19, this Healing project becomes even more necessary. In this project, we plan to invite our graduates and their guardians to our new land. We may also invite former teachers to discuss the possibilities for the next year’s work.

Considering our work in the past, a workshop related to vocational training might be very useful to our graduates. However, given the current pandemic and economic conditions, as well as the limited resources available, it is more appropriate to provide a healing space where graduates can come here to meet and strengthen their fellowship, share their thoughts and life experiences while creating opportunities for their on-going human formation.

I have heard many painful stories about the difficult lives of our graduates during this COVID-19 crisis. It is truly pitiful that we cannot step forward and help everyone. I am also concerned that the love and passion of the staff will diminish because our future looks dim and vague. However, Fr. Indon always emphasizes, “This work is God’s work!” We believe that if we hold on to our hope, our Lord will continue His work in ways we never expected. Together, we hope and affirm that the fire of God’s Spirit by which we become God’s instruments will not be extinguished within us. We wait with great hope in this land that God will surely bless and lead.