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Our Work: U.S. Programs — Friends Across Borders (FAB) Cambodia
February 17 - March 1, 2010
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Cecilia Espinoza, Maryknoll Lay Missioner Friends of Mission Manager P.O. Box 307 Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307 914-762-6364, ext. 207 friendsacrossborders@mklm.org
Deadline for Sign Ups:
December 17, 2009
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Soak soabp buy chee uh tay? - Are you well and happy?
With those few words of greeting, Cambodians will respond with a large smile. Speaking the language is clearly a sign of respect for the Cambodian culture and the people themselves.
Cambodia is best known for the Angkorian temple complex and for the genocidal regime of the "Khmer Rouge”. With borders on Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia conjures up images of an ancient glorious past and a rich cultural heritage. Angkor Wat is one of the world’s most renowned ancient temple cities which draws tourists from around the world.
Cambodia is an agricultural country and 80% of the population live in small towns and villages. The people are struggling to recover from over 30 years of war, during the Vietnam war and the genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge under their leader Pol Pot. The Maryknoll Community in Cambodia will be our hosts. Since 1989 the members of the community work together with the Cambodian in ministries of health care, social services and education.
Experiential Education
Our main focus is to meet and make friends with the Cambodian people and learn about their culture and faith. Cambodia is a Theravada Buddhist country with a 5% minority of mostly Cham Muslim people and few Christians.
What We Will Do There
We are still shaping the itinerary but we are building our experience around these activities:
1. Get to know Maryknoll Missioners at their ministry sites including caring for people and children with AIDS, education for the deaf, resettlement of displaced people and anti-human trafficking projects, education and literacy program for children and youth, and working with families addressing domestic violence.
2. Visit the Toul Sleng Genocidal Museum and the Choeung Eik Killing Field Memorial. Learn about the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
3. Discover the temples at Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great archeological sites of the world.
4. Enjoy events where traditional food, music and dances will be presented. Visit the Royal Palace.
5. Participate in daily reflections on the work of Maryknoll Missioners and contemporary issues in Cambodia.
6. Enjoy Liturgy, Wednesday evening meals and a complimentary sunset boat ride on the Mekong River with members of the Cambodia Mission Team.
Preparation
Prior to leaving, Friends Across Borders will provide preparation, orientation and some cross-cultural skills training in the most convenient way possible. The manner will depend on the proximity of the participants. Please know about the Guides of the Cambodia Trip: Adel O’Regan, David Saumweber and Judy Helein.
Follow Up
We hope that this experience will touch your life and heart and that you will continue to keep the connections that you will make. Maryknoll Lay Missioners offers tools for spiritual discernment and for the ongoing discovery of God’s call of service. We offer individualized follow-up and concrete recommendations for continued service.
Qualifications
The trip to and from Cambodia involves over 20 hours in the air and we cross 10 time zones. Jet lag plus the travel itself require that participants have sufficient stamina to undertake this challenge. While our itinerary isn't physically rigorous, at times it will be physically taxing as we move about in vans around Cambodia during a hot weather. Each participant must be healthy and mobile enough to meet these demands.
Logistics and Costs
The total ground cost is $1,550 + $200 non-refundable registration fee per person (unless program is cancelled). Program fees cover all lodging and meals, all transportation within the country, medical insurance, English-Khmai speaking guides and tourist fees. International airfare, taxes and visa are not included. Friends Across Borders will provide information on obtaining a visa, immunizations and help you make the flight arrangements. Participants are required to arrive and leave Cambodia on predetermined dates. Download an Application Form, fill it out and send it to FAB with your $200 registration fee and a copy of your passport. Your passports should be valid through next August.
You can obtain your visa upon arrival at Phnom Penh, but it takes over 45 minutes, sometimes more to wait in a line. We suggest getting the Visa in advance at the Cambodia embassy. |
