Cambodia - Kravan House
Date Visited: April/May 2007
Local Language: Khmer
L - R: Koiy and her daughter Nisa, Runchea and Chunlean, Kongpin, Thanan and Pen Worn.
In April 2007 Happy-Hammock met a Cambodian lady called Thanan who runs a small private organisation that employs disabled and disadvantaged people in Cambodia as weavers and tailors of silk.
Happy-Hammock was invited to visit this group on the left as one of many who work with Thanan throughout Cambodia.
They live in this building on the outskirts of Phnom Penh and rent individual rooms within. Often there are two or more people living and working from each small room.
Here are some of their stories below.
Thanan
Thanan
In many cases the Artisans have been trained by Governmental or Charitable organisations in the past. Whilst these organisations provided the skills training (and invested in equipment) they could not guarantee work afterwards.
This is where Thanan stepped in. Being disabled herself from birth and working for the NCDP (National Centre for Disabled People) for almost 10 years she had a wish to create something of her own that would utilise these skills and help her fellow people.
Thanan and her husband Pirum started their organisation with out any grants or donations. They often worked two jobs each and all hours in the day in order to get it going.
Pen Worn
Pen Worn
This is Pen Worn. She lives in this room with one other person. Pen worked as a farmer in Kom pong Speau province before the AARCC organisation offered her training in tailoring in 1996.
She has been in Phnom Penh for 11 years now and 5 of these working for Thanan. She can sew almost 2 bags a day if the work is there. Her hope is that Happy-Hammock will create more work for her!
Pen has a wicked sense of humour despite all the difficulties she has faced in her life. When I asked her about this, she said that Cambodian people have to be able to laugh because sometimes that’s all they have.
Runchea
Runchea
This is Runchea. and his daughter Chunlean.
Runchea is a land mine victim. It’s a familiar story, he lost his lower right leg when he was 12 years old out collecting wood. Since then he has also lost his right eye.
He lives here with his wife Sokyan and Chunlean in this room.
His life is quite tough as he is financially supporting himself, his wife, 3 of his 4 children (who are not married yet), his parents and his wife’s parents. If he doesn’t earn any money then everyone goes with out.
Runchea told us that he hopes that Happy-Hammock will order more products because that means work and money for him. When there is no money he is sad.
Seanng
Seanng
This is Seanng Sophat. She lives in this room with one other person. She is single. Seanng contracted Polio aged 2. She walks with a stick and finds it difficult to get about. She also suffers from headaches.
Seanng was trained by AARCC in 1998 when she was c.40 yrs old. Then she moved to Phnom Penh to try and find work. Before she lived in the countryside where there isn’t much employment. Seanng’s dream is to build her own house.
Kongpin and Kongphat
Kongpin and Kongphat
This is Kongpin (left) and her sister Kongphat (right). They live and work in this room together.
Kongpin has a club leg and has difficulty walking. Kongphat has no disabilities but her children are grown up and her husband is dead.
