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INDEPENDENT CASE STUDY ON CWARS GRADUATES LOCATION: BANTHEAY MEANCHEY PROVINCE, CAMBODIA CONDUCTED BY: BEN TIPPER AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEER YEAR: DECEMBER 2007 DAY 1 – 19TH December 2007 MS. Srey – 78 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Province: Pursat Training Agriculture Commenced in 2 Week Course Injury : Landmine Ms Srey began her training with CWARS as a 78 year old grandmother. At first the organisation was a little reluctant to accept Ms into the training centre due to her age. However, they decided that her experience and wisdom would mean she could take her training and educate members of her family about agriculture, and give them a chance at a brighter future. This was exactly what she did, and to this day she has taught 60 different family members what she had learnt at the CWARS training facility. Now that she runs her own farm, Srey no longer has to travel long distances for work and an income, made extremely difficult by her injury and age. The buyers of her produce come directly to her farm for their purchases. Despite having to endure the constant teasing of her fellow students for being the eldest at the centre, Ms … is still ever so grateful for the opportunity given to her by CWARS. Prior to the training she was very shy and introverted. It seems that the training has given her renewed self confidence and self esteem. Ms Srey was a quiet woman who seemed completely content with the state of her life. She was acutely aware of the benefits she has received as a result of her training. She took pride in teaching her family the skills she learnt with CWARS, and great pride in the traditional farming techniques she used on her farm. It was amazing to see the energy and happiness that had been renewed with her time at CWARS. MR. LY MUP 
Current Address: Province: Pursat Training Motorbike Repair Commenced in 2000 6 Month Course Injury: Land Mine Ly Mup is a father of 4 children. After completing his training with CWARS, he rented a plot of land on which to build his shop and run his business. Today he owns this land his business is on, thanks to the success of his business, and the detailed training supplied by CWARS. He is able to send 2 of his children to school, whilst the other two are old enough to be off working on their own. He is extremely proud of his work skills and has become quite a skilled craftsman in his spare time. The money he is able to save with his business allowed him to buy an air compressor and a welding kit. So in his spare time he constructs benches, chairs, cabinets for his shop and anything else he may require. Due to the close proximity to the landmine when he was injured, Mr Mup suffers from severe hearing difficulties. As a result, CWARS are presently aquiring an expensive hearing aid device to provide him with. Mr Mup was a happy and friendly person who was very keen to talk to us. He personally pulled me aside to find out where I was from and what I was doing in Cambodia. This was a chance for him to show off and practice his English with me.Both himself and his wife seemed extremely happy with their lives and the success of their business. MR. CHANN CHEAY – 36 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Deylour Commune- Toeuk Thla District- Sereysophon Province: Bantheay Meanchey Training Barber Commenced in Jan 2007 5 Month course Injury: Land mine - 2003. Mr Cheay enjoyed his training with CWARS very much. He did not find his training very difficult at all, but finds it painful to stand for long periods of time due to his injury. The training has helped him earn enough money to set up a small grocery shop next to his barbering business, which he runs with his wife. He has 3 children, 2 of which he is now able to afford to send to school, and the third is only 18 months old. Before his training, he owned a rice farm, but could not work the fields due to his injury. This meant he could not earn any money to support his family. He now earns a comfortable living, and is able to properly support his wife and children. Mr Cheay was a quietly happy man who looked comfortable in his life. Despite his business being so young, he seemed to be earning good money, and being able to open a second shop was proof of this. MR. VIN NARITH – 26 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Oambel Commune- Oambel District- Sereysophorn Province :Bantheay Meanchey Training Motorbike Repair Commenced in May 2007 6 Month Course Injury Mr. Narith is the only graduate without a direct disability. However, both his parents were killed by landmines, thus he has been devastated by these devices none the less. Mr Narith is an orphan who lives on his own. He lives in his workshop where he rents the land it is built on. The land costs him 35000 Riel per month to rent the land, making it difficult to save any money. Before his training, Narith would make the long and extremely dangerous journey into the jungle to collect firewood in heavily mined areas to sell for money. He is extremely proud of his training, and grateful for his opportunity to learn at the training centre, even though he is not an amputee or suffering from polio. The staff at CWARS immediately became aware of his hard work and determination, convincing them that he deserved the opportunity to be trained and improve his life. Even though Narith only finished his training in October, he is already earning 20000 Riel per day minimum. This helps him pay his rent, and leaves him with enough money to buy food and spare parts. He will also expand his shop as he saves his money, to be able to compete with other repairers, including the one next door! Narith found the training quite difficult in the beginning, but on completion of his course he says his work is now second nature to him. Narith is a happy, smiling young man who cannot stop expressing his gratitude for the opportunities given to him by CWARS. He even proudly displays his graduation certificate in the front of his work cabinet at the front of his shop for everyone to see. His shop is clean and meticulously organised, further illustrating his pride in his work. His determination willingness to work hard despite the tragedy in his life is a lesson for all of us. DAY 2 – 20th December 2007 MR. Eam Ou – 18 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village Treash Commune Treash District Svay Chek Province:BMC Training Motorbike Repairs Commenced in May 2007 6 Months Course Injury: Polio Before his training, Mr Ou was a high school student who was going to have to rely on his parents completely. He is now more independent, trained in a trade and with business skills. He has borrowed the land and workshop from his uncle in order to start his business. Initially Mr Ou found the training too difficult, and contemplated leaving the training facility. However, when the staff showed him that other students’ suffering the same condition as he is were able to complete their training and run successful businesses, he decided to stick it out and complete his course. Now he is reaping the benefits for his determination to keep studying, and finds his work much easier. He has also learnt how to spray paint, giving him an advantage over other motorbike repairers in his area. On average he earns 15000 Riel per day, and he hopes to save enough money to expand his shop and become continuingly more successful and independent. Mr Ou was a bright and cheerful young man, revelling in his new found independence and qualification. He had that youthful exuberance that all young men of his age should have. It was great to see that despite his condition, he was carrying on with his life as any 18 year old would. MR. Yean Buunchon – 35 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Sophy Commune- Kampongsrey District- Sereysophon Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Motorbike Repair Commenced in May 2007 6 Month Course Injury: Landmine – he was injured as a soldier on 21st January 1995, such a traumatic experience he remembers to the day. Buunchon was a Motor Taxi driver before his training. He was reasonably content with his job; he earned good money, and was able to support his family. However, at times he had to travel extremely long distances on poorly constructed and dangerous roads. Whenever he found part of the training difficult, he took this as meaning he needed to work harder and practise until this difficult task became as easy as the rest. Now Mr Chon is still able to earn enough money to support his family and still be around to spend time with them. He earns about 20000 Riel per day, and has been able to save money, expand his workshop with many spare parts, and open a grocery store beside his workshop. His wife runs the small store, while his daughter is at school, and his young baby boy rocks away happily in his hammock. Although he earns a similar income as before, on average, he now is able to rebuild motors for around 120,000 Riel per motor. Mr Chon was quite a determined man, who worked away as we spoke. He was in the process of teaching his brother how to repair a motorbike engine so he too could run a business. The only times he really stopped working was to talk of his injury, illustrating how deeply it has affected his life to this day. MR. HANG TEP – 23 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Preang Kong Commune- Bosh Sbov District- Serey Sophorn Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Motorbike Repair Commenced in 0ctober 2005 6 Month Course Injury : Polio Prior to his training with CWARS, Mr Tep was a fisherman. He would generally earn around 5000 Riel per kilo at the markets for his catch. On a successful day he would catch between 1-2 kilos of fish. Since completing his training, Mr Tep is able to earn 30000 Riel per day repairing motorbikes. He has been a diligent businessman since graduating, and has been able to save enough money to expand his workshop, and now has purchased a generator. He uses the generator to recharge batteries for the families in his area, which are the only sources of power for these families. He can repair and resell batteries to supplement his income. He has also managed to save enough money to purchase welding equipment. Hang Tep found the first 3 or 4 months of his training extremely challenging, but graduated finally will the skills of a seasoned repairer. He is extremely grateful for the chance to train with CWARS, and for the many friends he made during his training. He is currently using the money he saves to build a new house behind his workshop, so he can get married and start a family. Mr Tep was a happy and smiling young man who obviously was proud of his work and determined to make a comfortable new life for himself. The pride in his new foun d independace and confidence was extremely apparent, and was great to see. Once again this illustrated to me that the students take much more than work skills with them when they leave the CWARS training facility. DAY 3 – 21st December 2007 MR. HIN HOK – 42 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Chhnoul Meanchey Commune- Chnoul Meanchey District- Preash Neth Preash Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Barber Commenced in June 2006 5 Month Course Injury: Landmine – 1987 when he was farming along the Thailand border. After his injury in 1985 and prior to training at the CWARS centre, Hin Hok would do odd jobs in his community like patching bicycle tyres and harvesting rice to earn 2000 Riel per day maximum, which is barely enough money to survive on. Now Mr Hok earns 4000 to 6000 Riel on average per day. This allows him to both live comfortably and save some money. As is the case with many of the barber students, Mr Hok found the cutting action of the scissors and clippers very difficult to master initially. With much practise during his training he finally mastered the technique, and finds it second nature today. Hin Hok was particularly grateful to CWARS for the help they provided in acquiring the land he needed to build his business on. Happy with his new life, Mr Hok is now able to send his 13 yr old son to school. Hin Hok was a quiet man, happy to work and chat with us while he did so. He seemed to be extremely proud of the work being done in Cambodia to clear landmines and assist those affected by them. He proudly wears a shirt given to him by CMAC every day to work. MR. CHEA HOEUN – 39 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Bantath Bosh Commune- Chnoul Meanchey District- Preash Neth Preash Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Motorbike Repair Commenced in May 2007 6 Month Course Injury: Landmine - 1990 when he was fighting as a soldier. Chea Hoeun was a self trained bicycle repairer prior to studying at the CWARS training centre. His previous business was located a great distance from his home and family. On completion of his training, CWARS met with the village chief and organised land for Mr Hoeun to build his workshop on, right near his home. Mr Hoeun has a 9 year old son whom he has taught to repair motorbikes. His son also trained at the CWARS centre with him, and for some time was ahead of his father with his training skills! Presently he is saving money to get a loan from CWARS in order to buy an air compressor. He also wants to buy a large number of spare parts to stock up his business, as the market is simply too far away to continuously travel to and from regularly. Chea Hoeun believes his life is greatly improved today. To earn money in prior to his training, Hoeun would work in rice fields. The work was made extremely difficult due to his injury, and only provided an income for the 3-4 months of the year that the rice is grown. He now has a sustainable income throughout the year, earning 20000 Riel per day on average, to provide for his wife and 5 children. Mr Hoeun appeared to be a determined and hard working man. He was clearly proud to have given his son the skills to one day start his own successful business, and seemed proud to have his son working beside him. It was great to see his son testing the bicycle in each stage of repair, and to see the happiness his work brought him MR. HUN LOEUTH – 26 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Salachhesh Commune- Rohal District- Chnoul Meanchey District- Preash Neth Preash Province: Banteay Training Barber Commenced in 5 Month Course Injury: Polio Mr Loeuth currently lives with his grandmother, as his father lives in Thailand and his mother passed away many years ago. It was extremely important for Mr Loeuth to find some sustainable was of earning an income. With his condition, and without his parents to care for him, his training with CWARS was his chance to do so. Understandably, before his training, he was unable to earn any money. CWARS also negotiated for him to use the land he has built his shop on. Mr Loeuth no longer sits at home with nothing to do. Since his training, he is now able to take care of himself, and live a normal, independent life. He no longer relies on his brother for money or support; he can now afford to support himself. He sees, on average, 5 or 6 customers per day at 2000 Riel per haircut. Due to his condition, Mr Loeuth found the training difficult initially. However, he never dwelled on the difficult parts of his training, he chose instead to work harder at these parts of his training. Even the staff at CWARS were hesitant to offer him a position as a barber, as his condition would make the work extremely difficult. However there seemed to be nothing that could stop Loeuth, and he convinced them he would be successful. Now he is so successful that he saves US$30 per month, which hopes to use when he gets married. Using his business training, Mr Loeuth has set up a small loans business where he loans money to people in his community, charging 3% interest on each loan. Mr Loeuth has two brothers, both also suffer from Polio, and both have also been trained by CWARS. Mr Loeuth is an example of someone who refuses to be held back by his disability. He is determined to live a normal life, and do anything he puts his mind to. His body is not 100%, but his mind clearly is! He made many friends at the training centre, and such was his popularity that they visit him regularly to catch up, and even get their hair cut. MR.HUN LOEUTH – 20 Yrs Old and MS.SEAN SREY RATH – 18 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Salachhesh Commune- Rohal District- Chnoul Meanchey District- Preash Neth Preash Province: Banteay Meanchey Training TV/Radio Repairs + Sewing Commenced in August 2006 and December 2007 12 Month Course and 2 wWeek Course Injury: Polio Mr Hun Loeuth is the younger broth of the pervious student, Mr Loeuth. Like his brother, he had nothing to do or occupy his time with prior to being trained by CWARS. He now runs a successful repair business, earning 5000 Riel per day, with some repairs earning him 60000 Riel each. Each family in his community has at least one radio, so there is plenty of work for him every week. The most challenging part of his training was that the parts fro the radios and televisions are written in English not Khmer, so it took some time to learn the names of these parts. Once he overcame this issue, he enjoyed his training very much, and greatly appreciates the opportunity given to him. Mr Loeuth is married to Ms Rath, whom he met at the CWARS training centre. She is hoping to also contribute to their future, and have a profession to keep her busy. These two were a lovely young couple. They were excited about their new future together, and were looking forward to a healthy, happy life together. It is srories like theirs’ that truly describes the importance of an organisation like CWARS in these remote areas. Their lives would have been incredibly difficult and trying without the support of CWARS. MR. TROEUNG LYLEN – 24 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Prey Mon Commune- Rohal District- Preash Neth Preash Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Barber Commenced in March 2007 5 Month Course Injury: Polio Prior to his training, Mr Lylen was confined to his family home, with a difficult life ahead. He would help his family by working their rice fields, but his condition made this extremely arduous and very tedious. His new training and his new job make him extremely proud, and give him a much brighter future. He is extremely grateful for his new independence and self esteem which he enjoys thanks to his time with CWARS. Like most students Mr Lylen found the training challenging. He was particularly nervous about shaving his customers during his training, and feared he might cut them accidentally. With much practice and some helpful guidance from his mentors at the centre, Lylen overcame his apprehensions and graduated with confidence in his skills. This time of year is quiet at Mr Lylen’s shop, as it is rice harvesting time and most of the people in his community are harvesting their fields. On average though, he is able to earn 6000 to 8000 Riel per day, charging only 1500 Riel per service. Once the harvest is over, Lylen will be busy once again. Just looking at Ltlen, it is hard too imagine a nervous, apprehensive young man that the district manager tells me once stood in front of him. All I see is a confident, handsome young man who enjoys his work, and all other aspects of his life. It is astonishing to think that such huge changes are possible in people who experience such hardship, with some basic training and counselling. MS.HEY YI – 26 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Prey Mon Commune- Rohal District- Preash Neth Preash Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Sewing Commenced in August 2007 2 Week Course Injury: Polio Hey Yi is a busy graduate, taking full advantage of the skills she has learnt at the CWARS training centre. She creates 3 garments per day, and sells them at the local market. People can also come to her with requests for particular outfits for special events such as weddings and funerals. Her skills with sewing now earn her about 7500 Riel per day. The most difficult part of her experience at the CWARS training centre was being away from her family, and on many nights she would cry herself to sleep. She new the training was so important to her future, so she stuck it out and graduated. Ironically, on completion of her training, she cried when leaving as she had made so many close friends and wanted to stay. Always smiling, and constantly laughing, Hey Li is proof that a happy and positive attitude can make a difference in your life. There was no sign of self pitty or lost self confidence in the bright smile of this lovely young woman. Even her sewing shop seemed to be a focal point of happiness in her village. A number of women in the village gathered at her shop, laughing and talking as Hey Li worked. Clearly the communities are benefiting from the efforts of CWARS. DAY 4 – 22ND December 2007 MR. LY SYVOUN – 28 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Kop Commune- O’Chrou District- O’Chrou Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Barber and Motorbike Repairs Commenced in January 2007 5 and 6 Month Courses Respectively Injury: Polio Mr Syvoun is a double graduate of the CWARS training centre, despite his young age. He saw an opportunity in his community to make both businesses a success in his one shop. He sees 5 customers per day as a Barber; however by 9am on the day I spoke to him he had already seen 7! This is the backbone of his dual business, as he only makes around 2000 Riel per day repairing motorbikes. He simply has not got enough parts yet to really build his repair business. The markets are just too far to travel to on a regular basis to buy the parts he needs. With his two jobs, he saves around $20 per day, which intends to use when he gets married next year. Mr Syvoun cares for his mother who is also a polio sufferer. Despite having 6 brothers, none of whom suffer from polio, he is the only one who can afford to care for their frail mother. The motorbike repair traing was more difficult for Mr Syvoun, but he new that he needed both courses to make a successful business in his community. Now, the 165 families in his village prefer him as their local Barber. Another confident, determined young man that seemed years older in experience and knowledge than most 28 year olds I have ever met. He seemed to have a clear picture of what he wanted in life, and was not hesitating in getting it! With all this in mind, without the help of CWARS, brilliant young men like Syvoun would be left helpless and alone in these remote areas. MR. RON JOHN – 37 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Sophy Commune- Sophy District- O’Chrou Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Barber Commenced in May 2006 5 Month Course Injury: Landmine – 1989 as a soldier. As a farmer and labourer working the rice fields in his village, and sometimes across the Thai border, Mr John’s injury made his life extremely difficult. Not only was the work arduous, but it produced minimum income for Mr John and his family. Now he can work from his shop at the front of his house, seeing around 5 customers per day. No more long journeys for fruitless hard labour are necessary for him to live comfortably. As mentioned by other barbering students, John found the action of using the scissors and clippers very challenging. He was on the edge of quitting his training when his teacher stepped in to reassure him that other students have the same difficulties but are able to complete the course and run successful businesses. Mr John sadly separated from his wife in Thailand, when he was unable to earn enough money to support them. He was forced to beg on the streets to make money to feed himself. Finally he made his way back to Cambodia where CWARS gave him the chance to turn his life around. He has done just that. He now provides all the food, clothing and support his two children need to send them to school and raise them in a happy family environment. Based on his tidy, professional appearance, and busy shop, its almost impossible to think of the hardships he has endured. Not only has he lost a leg in a terrible War, but he lost his wife due to his poverty, and became an alcoholic trying to deal with the grief of loosing his wife. This seems simply too much for any one man to overcome. But once again I am overwhelmed by the determination and resilience these students display, and the positivity they exude after the CWARS training and counselling programs. MR. CHHOY CHHAN – 38 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village- Sophykanda Commune- Sophy District- O’Chrou Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Barber Commenced in January 2007 5 Month Course Injury: Landmine - 1994 when he was a soldier fighting in the war. Mr Chhan found the cutting action difficult early in his training, but unlike other students who also found this skill difficult to master, he believes it was due to his laziness in the early months! However, despite the hardships early in his training, Mr Chhan now enjoys his new work immensely. He also made many close friends at the CWARS centre, and his teachers are amongst these friends that come to visit him regularly. Farming was a major part of Mr Chhan’s life prior to his training, and continues to be so today. He continues to farm his land in the mornings, and then returns to his Barber shop in the evenings to cut hair. Being in a farming community allows him to keep this lifestyle without sacrificing potential customers, as the rest of his village are farming at the same times. This also means a duel source of income for his family to live on. On average he sees 3 customers per day, and tends to his 4 hectare rice fields during the mornings. His wife helps with the rice fields, and his 17 year old daughter also contributes when she returns from school in the afternoon. I was rather humbled when he told me how proud he was, not only of his training and the success of his business, but of the fact we had come out to interview him for our report research. This really adds further pleasure for me in the work I am assisting CWARS with, and gives me great joy and satisfaction to be able to share such experiences people not fortunate enough to speak with these amazing students. MR. TOM HENG – 39 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village – Prochea Torm Commune- Poipet District- O’Chrou Province: Banteay Meanchey Training Motorbike Repairs Commenced in October 2006 6 Month Course Injury: Landmine - 1997 when he was cutting bamboo along the Thailand border. Having survived the treacherous conditions of the War in Cambodia as a soldier, Tom Heng was still struck down by the lethal products left behind in this conflict. Prior to his CWARS training, Mr Heng was forced to travel great distances to get across to Thailand and find work as a labourer. With his extensive training and the equipment supplied by CWARS, he is able to earn around 4000-5000 Riel per day without the long and difficult travelling. He fixes inner tubes from his shop, and travels into town on his bicycle if he needs to purchase larger parts. His wife is also an amputee who has completed her sewing training at CWARS, and they have the children together. One son now enjoys being able to go to school, and the other two are still too young for school yet. He believes his life has dramatically improved since his training, he no longer travels great distances for very little pay, he is able to work in his village and support his young family. At first glance Mr Heng seemed quiet and apprehensive about our visit. His shop looked very basic, and there was no real way to tell it was in fact a motorbike repair shop. After talking for a short time, it became apparent why this was so. The skeleton of a shop was due to the fact that his original shop had been deliberately burnt down. He is unsure why this happened to him, but is now to afraid to rebuild a bigger shop in case it happens again. For this reason he is also to worried to buy many spare parts to keep at his shop, and reduce the amount of time spent travelling to the market in town, in case they are stolen or damaged in another fire. Apparently there is very little that can be done to prevent another attack, as nobody knows why it happened or if it will happen again. This was a very sad way for me to finish my latest trip. MR. NHEAM SORN – 38 Yrs Old 
Current Address: Village – Prochea Torm Commune- Poipet District- O’Chrou Province: Banteay Meanchey Training TV / Radio Repair Commenced in Jan 2004 5 Month Course Injury: Amputee – Due to a motorcycle accident where he was struck down by a passing vehicle. Mr Sorn believes his injury was inflicted deliberately by a powerful figure in his community, but also believes it was a case of mistaken identity, as he does not know why someone would want to hurt him. Before his repair training, Mr Sorn and his wife made desserts to be sold at the markets. This was their only source of income after he was injured. Now Mr Sorn rebuilds broken television sets predominantly, with one set taking 3 days to rebuild, and he resells them for around 60,000 Riel each. During his training, his father built his workshop for him in front of his house, so he would have somewhere to start a business as soon as he completed his training. Mr Sorn has 3 boys, all at school, and all were conceived after his amputation. Thanks to his new thriving business, his boys all have new uniforms to wear to school, and can enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle and future. Mr Sorn had a smile that lit up his workshop. He was busy working when we arrived at his shop, and was hard at it when we left. He told his story of hardship to me without ever loosing his energetic expression, and kept that bright smile the entire interview. Being around someone so happy and cheerful left me smiling the whole trip home. That kind of pure joy in his work and life is almost contagious, and would make even the most serious person have to smile back! |
My name is Ben Tipper. I am a 27 year old Chiropractor from Melbourne Australia. I came to Cambodia with my partner in September this year who was beginning a Youth Ambassador position with AUSAID.
