New Advisor

In February, an advisor to the KAPP campaign, Dr. Christian Schafferer, visited Cambodia to research the political situation there. We appreciate the time he took to visit our office and meet with some of our supporters who spoke of Dr. Schafferer's kindness to them. Dr. Schafferer is a professor specializing in political marketing and currently working in Taiwan. His website is http://www.fule.at/

 

On January 16th and 17th seventy five people from throughout the U.S. gathered in Fresno, California to meet and lay a foundation for leadership with the Khmer Anti-Poverty Party. The party President, Mr. Daran Kravanh spoke about creating new kinds of leaders for Cambodia that value human life.  We would like to give special thanks to the local leaders who worked so hard to make the gathering so successful. This includes, Mr. Proum Lay, Ms. Sokhon Hout, Mr. Prasath Kem, Ms. Savath Kem, Mr. Donny In, Mr. Sophin Uon, and represenatives from Long Beach Mr. Tippana Tip, and Mr. Bunna Men and many others who contributed their time. Presenters included Mr. Phoumira, Ms. Jessica Jewett, Mr. Bert Jackson, Ms. Barbara Shotwell, and Ms. Bree Lafreniere Kravanh.

 

KAPP Training

 

It was a great honor to be asked to present at the KAPP Leadership training in Fresno, California. I had been hearing about this Cambodian political party, but as I began to engage in the assembly I was led to a deeper understanding of its implications.

 

Upon arrival we were met by a lineup of the most humble of people, professional Cambodian men and women who treated us with the dignity of royals.

 

Once the training was underway, one by one participants began introducing themselves. I was immediately moved by their personal stories as they shared their names, their trade, their education and the tragedies they had suffered under the Khmer Rouge; loss of their family members, devastation under the Vietcong rule, the inhumane conditions, shattered trust, extreme poverty and criminal and unjust treatment... and the ongoing devastation of the aftermath.

Needless to say, the message that Daran Kravahn brought, which highlighted the "anti-poverty" goals of the KAPP were met with hopeful hearts and open minds.  It seemed like a resurrection of lost dreams. The way they responded to Daran's words of strength and faith in the restoration of Cambodia, was elevating to say the least.  Myself and the other presenters offered messages of endurance, persistence and inspiration.  Everyone was given a voice and it was truly melodic to see the group become unified in purpose and spirit. The training culminated in personal commitments to do something about the oppressive conditions that permeate Cambodia today.

The participants did not tire as the day went long.  Instead, there was music and festivities throughout as everyone celebrated the new leadership and their roles as part of a movement for change.  It was clear they had been looking for someone to take a leading role in bringing that change. They lauded Daran as that person who as their next Prime Minister would be able to bring that change

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"Together we will", "We are strong!", "If not you, who?" were phrases that were repeated throughout the training and which have become part of our vocabularies whenever we speak about the KAPP training in Fresno.