A long-term project to assist 50 identified impoverished landmine-affected families living in the villages surrounding Koas Krala in Battambang province -
one of the most heavily mined areas in Cambodia. A Mine Free World Foundation (AMFWF), with initial funds provided by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke,
will provide small business enterprises for these families as well as educational support and supplies for their children's needs.
Lisa McCoy, Pauline Johns and Un Vanthon of AMFWF will be making their way into this area in November 2010 to implement this project.
View full picasa web album with information on each project recipient and their families at this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/schoolsforcambodia/ProjectBattambangEducationalVocationalSupportForRuralLandmineSurvivorsTheirFamilies
Day-to-day life is an endless struggle for families eking out a meager existence in the rural areas of developing countries. Of tantamount difficulty, is to manage this existence amongst a myriad of landmines below your feet – That is what families in rural Cambodia face, and will continue to face for many years, as Cambodia is one the world’s heaviest mined countries.
Over 4,000,000 million Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and landmines lay hidden beneath the ground in the rural areas of Cambodia, lying in wait for a hapless child playing to step upon.
The following information was found on the Landmine Cluster and Munition Monitor :
http://www.the-monitor.org/index.php/publications/display?url=lm/2008/countries/cambodia.html
‘About 40% of all casualties occurred in just two provinces: Battambang and Banteay Meanchey.’
‘Many governmental and NGO VA services in Cambodia are urban-based and do not fully reach persons with disabilities in rural areas. Although there were substantial improvements in the government’s treatment and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, NGOs provided most of the VA during the reporting period, in cooperation with relevant authorities. Mine/ERW survivors remain a significant proportion of the total number of persons with disabilities in Cambodia and are among the poorest of the poor; Cambodia admits that much remains to be done to “ensure that appropriate mechanisms” exist to meet the needs of survivors and other persons with disabilities.’
‘Cambodia has no legislation to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The government continues to prohibit persons with disabilities from being teachers in public schools.[139] However, the draft Law for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities was submitted to the government in December 2006 and approved by the Council of Ministers in February 2008; the law has yet to be approved by the National Assembly.[140] Cambodia signed both the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol on 1 October 2007, but as of 31 July 2008 neither had been ratified.’
A Mine Free World Foundation (AMFWF) is dedicated and determined to reach these disabled families- ‘the poorest of the poor’ - in their rural areas.
Thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, ‘Project Battambang’ has been launched. AMFWF Board Member and Cambodian Project Coordinator, Un Vanthon has just returned from a ten day mission from Phonm Penh into the rural area of Koas Krala in Battambang province. He went with a small team of volunteers, which included 2 local Koas Krala guides and a member of the Red Cross.
In just this one area, 50 landmine-affected families were found, interviewed and a needs assessment was conducted. These 50 families can be viewed at the above picasa web album link.
Along with Vanthon and local guides, we will make our way back into that area in November to assess and provide the best self-sustainable help for these families. Many can be helped by just providing them with a small business - $100 can provide a chicken business, $125 a sewing business, $75 a small food business – the list is endless.
Their children can be provided with scholarship support or perhaps a bicycle, school bag and uniforms.
It will take time to assess the best needs and solutions for each family. Time that we happily give to see the end result for these families – a way out of poverty – a way to education.
NAMES OF LANDMINE SURVIVORS AND THEIR NEEDS AS SHOWN IN THE ABOVE PICASA WEB ALBUM LINK:
Hean hon "Moung District, A civil now, 57 year old
" "Was a army in 1979. have no right leg
Fought in 15 01,1991" "wife: Yim Mert 55 year old, 3
children" want to be fix the bicycle
Aeng Chun "Prey Parpal village, Kah kralor district,
a civil now, 45 Year old" "Was a army in 1982, Check the area
and stepped on mine and lost leg in
K.S Province" "Wife: Ngan pisey 42 year old, 2
son" want to be fix the bicycle
Leam Chunly "Prey Parpal village, Kah kralor district.
A civil now, 52 year old" "Was a army in 1772, Fought on 29 04
1984, in Mokol bory district, Lost two leg" "Wife: Ann yern 33 year old, 4
children " Want to be fix the clock
Heang saret "Kah Kralor village, Koh kralor district
49 year old, a civil now" "Was a army in 1979, in Beylin and
Lost right leg in september 1998" "wife: Yang Sopous 41, 5 children,
2 daughter and 3 son " "Now is a fix of Tv & radio,
want to have fund"
Khom Khang "Spean village, Kah kralor commune,
Koh kralor district, 68 year old, a cilvil" "Was a army in 1964, have accident in
8 1998 " "Wife: Mon Ann 61 year old, no
children" Want to raise animals
Kog koum "Kah kralor village, Koh kralor commune
Koh kralor district, 16 year old" "Cause by played with mine in 2004,
Lost right arm" "Father: Jonh Kog, 48. Mother:
Jonh mon 53. 7 sibling "
Ngern Kouy "Kah kralor village, Koh kralor commune
Koh kralor district, 41 year old" "Was a army in 1975, Lost eye in 1988
" "Wife: Phal rert 43, 3 daughter
" "A famer now, and want to be
a seller"
Rerng sovann "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district
45 year old, a civil" "Was a army in 1979 in Soroung village
Lost left leg in 1991" "Wife: Choum Seak, 43. 3
children" "want to do the agriculture,
grow mashroom"
Plet Hing "Female, 48. a widower
Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district" "Stepped on mine and lost right leg in
Tatok village" 2 daughter "want to sell water of
sugarcane"
Choun nget "Male, 52 year old. Chay village Tebhady
commune, Koh kralor district." "Was a army in 1982 and lost right leg
in 1982" "Wife: Neng samin, 55. 1
daughter"
Ho vearn "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
79 year old" "Was a army, and lost right leg in1992
cause by stepped on mine" Wife: Yart chout, 69. 1 daughter want to be a seller
Harge saret "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old" "Was a army 1979 and lost one leg in
01 07, 1995" Wife: Vey Chot, 51. 6 children Want to raise animals
Tep kosal "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old, " " disability body in 1998 in Toul methes
Village" "Wife: Ren sopone, 33. 4
children ( study)" want to do the agriculture
Mouv Cheat "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
55 year old, female" "Lose eye, when have war,
Cause by mine in1988" Wife: Sem eearn. 7 children
Rien Youm "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
32 year old" Lost twos Leg Live with mother 68 year old want to be a cut hair
Phech one "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old" Was a army, and lost two leg "Wife: Ket nong. 4 daughter
(study)" "now is a carpenter. And
need some meterial"
Sourn Yoen "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
79 year old" "Lost left leg in 1972 before Pol Pot
regime" Wife: Harm rain, 80. No children want to have fund
Kege Kouy "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
48 year old" Lost left leg in 1996 "Wife: dead. Mother, 98 year old
4 children" Want to raise animals
Keg Man "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
55 year old " Lost leg in 1982, in Sok San Area "Wife: Vern Von, 45. 5 children
( 1 is study)" want to be a seller
Vit Thoun "Koun Prom village Tebhady commune,
Koh kralor district. 47 year old" "Was a army and Lost right leg in 1992
in Boung Reang" "Wife: Koge kog, 44. 5 children
(3 is study)" "a cut hair now. Want to have
material of cut hair"
Rim Choum "Tebhady commune, Koh kralor district,
53 year old" "Was a army and lost left leg 31 12,
1982 in Kah kralor" "Wife: Peou Puge, 50. 6 children
(3 is study)" want to do agriculture
Kouy Vuth "Kontout village, tebhady commune, 49
year old" "Was a army and lost right leg in1986
in Koh kralor village" "Wife: Douk seoum, 59. 1
daughter"
Chok Chup "Kontout village, tebhady commune,
78 year old" Broken hip, cause by bullet in 1979 No wife raise animals
Son Sang "Kontout village, tebhady commune, 46
year old" Lost left leg in 1999 in Somlot. Wife: Choat Poug, 37. 1 son want to raise animals
Kheng herng "Kontout village, tebhady commune, Koh
Kralor district. 84 year old" "Lost right leg, deaf cause by mine in
Kah kralor district in 1983" Wife: Yill Loum, 65. 2 children raise animals and seller
Ney Cham "Toul baloung village, Koh kralor
commune. 48 year old" "Was a army in Beylin province, lost
right leg in 1989" Wife: Chea Touh, 48. 3 children Want to learn to fix Moto
Hum Chreug "Toul baloung village, Koh kralor
commune. 54 year old" "Was a army and lost left leg in 06 06,
1986 in Beylin province" "Wife: Ma sophone, 56. 1
daughter ( study)" Want to learn to fix Moto
Meum Haeng "Bong Preah village, Preah phous
commune, 40 year old" "was a army in 1991 at Tabon, and
disability body" Wife: Ngerm Ngar, 36. 4 chidren "want to make cake, or raise
animals or make wine"
Pun Bin "Toul baloung village, Koh kralor district
43 year old" was a army and lost left eye in 1986 "Wife: Kae savann, 31. 6 children
( 5 is study)" raise animal Seller
Het Heuy "Takour village, Preah phous commune,
Koh kralor district, 48 year old" "was a army and lost eyes in Beylin
in 12 03, 1989" "Wife: Hern Rous, 51. 3 children
1 is study" want to raise animals
Nil noy "Such harb village, Preah pous
commune, koh kralor district, 46 y" "Was a army and lost right leg in 1988
in Tebhady district" "Wife: Touy rom, 45. 6 children
(3 is study)" Seller: Gasoline, fix moto
Khev sareun "Such harb village, Preah pous
commune, koh kralor district, 64 y" "Lost left leg cause by dig land in Koh
kralor district in 12 04, 2003" "Wife: Hong Chern, 53. 1
daughter." raise animals do the farming
Phev ponlok "Boung Chenas village, Koh kralor
commune, 42 year old" "Lost left hand by mine in 1984 in
Somlot District" "Wife: Leang Sokha, 32. 3
children" want to be a seller
Hun Therm "Krang Svart village, Koh kralor
commune. 54 year old" Was a army and Lost left leg in 1985 Wife: Pok bong 56. no children raise animals do the faming
Hearm Ngon "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 47
year old" "Was a army and Lost right leg in
Banon" "Wife: Chearl Khvean, 51. 7
children" raise animals
Keo Phel "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 48
year old" "Was a army and lost right leg in
Komping Pouy" "Wife: Moum Nat, 41. 5 children.
(No study)" "Want to have bicycle to take
vegetable to sell ( No land to
live)"
Sern Chey "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 53
year old" "Lost left leg, cause by Mine in 1997
in Chenal Moune, when he was cut tree " "Wife: Chen Hern, 49 year old.
9 children( 2 is study)" raise animals
Terng yeark "Krang Svart Village, Chenal Moune
commune, Koh kralor District, 56
year old" Lost left leg in 1991 No wife: 2 children raise animals
Meas dos "Banteay Char village, Koh kralor district
45 year old
" "Lost left leg in 1995 in Kompot Phonm
Voer" "Wife: Heang Chanthea, 38. 4
children (study)" raise animals
Arn Nann "Rersey Preah village, Koh kralor district
35 year old" "Was a army, Lost eye, cause by mine
in Marlay district" "Wife: Kom Kern, 38. 4 children
(study)" Sell fish, and need fund
Soun Sout "Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District,
47 year old" "Was a army and lost left leg in 1980,
in Sok San camp" "Wife: Reat Begn, 33. 9 children
( 3 is study)" "Want to fix Bicycle and
motor or raise animal "
Yaan sarert "Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District,
44 year old" "Lost left arm in 1988 cause by mine
" No wife. 6 children. (5 is study) "raise animal and support
children to school"
Cheang sareoun "Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District,
52 year old" "Was a army in 1978 and lost left eye
in 1988 in Porvil." "Wife: Keo Phern, 47. 1 children
(study)" raise animals
Choum Sovaan Prey Sern village, Koh kralor District, 20 year old Lost left leg in 2004 in Sompeou Lon "Mother: mern Touk 52, Father:
Sreir Choum, 53. 8 sibling" "Want to fix Bicycle and
motor or raise animal "
Haerm Buntheoun "Prey Sern village, Kok Kralor district,
50 year old" Lost Leg raise animal
Koun khan "Prey chok village, Preah Pous
commune, 54 year old" "Was a army, Lost twos Leg in 2001 in
Poypet " "Wife: Park Veang, 46 children
3 children (study)" raise animals
Heang Sareoun "Koy Veang village, Preah pous
commune, Koh kralor district,
55 year old" Lost right arm in 1987 "Wife: Srash Moush, 55. 4
children ( 3 is study)" raise animal & agiculture
Kak Kob "Sorong village Koh kralor District,
38 year old" Lost left leg in 1996 in Krawine Wife: Kom Touh, 21. 3 children raise animal and fix bicycle
Lauy chart "Sorong village Koh kralor District,
75 year old " Lost left leg in 1993 "Wife: Yom Hugn, 66. no
children" want to do agriculture
Cheang In "Samkhey village, Koh krolar district
46 Year old" Lost right leg in 1985 "Wife: Lon Chout, 50. 4 choildren
" raise animals & agriculture
Consider helping or sponsoring one of the above families!
Your donation - any amount will help toward this big undertaking - can be sent to:
A Mine Free World Foundation
906 Fung Place,
Kitchener, ON, N2A 4M3
In Memo Field, please write:
‘Project Battambang’
Many Thanks for your Support,
Maria van Santen, Pauline Johns, Lisa McCoy
A Mine Free World Foundation
