THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NORTHWEST CAMBODIA

SVAY SISOPHON

A student hostel and a new house were built in 2005 in the church compound. The hostel gives the opportunity to students from poor families of the area to access education. Khmer dance and music as well as English lessons are provided in the compound. The multipurpose room has been used as a Learning Centre in occasion, music class, dance practice, seminar for life, computer class,

Exposure program to the Society its a proyect were the students get involved at least one activity of the Church in a week, for instance, visiting the patients, involving in the activity of SSVP, helping the poor, assisting to the teaching of children in Pongro village, visiting the prisoners, and other activities.

Health and Rice-Soup Programs take place every Sunday since 2006. About 60 children aged between four and fifteen years old attend to these programs.

Prison program Every Wednesday a group of people from the Centre visits the prison of the city to help the prisoners.

There is a hostel for high school students. They are chosen from the poorest family from the villages of Banteay Meanchey province.

In Kbal Spien, a nearby village where Mgr. Tep Im was murdered in 1975, there is a plan to build a cultural centre with a library.

The Meta Karuna centre in Svay, run by the Jesuit Service, focus on improving the quality of education through teacher training, especially in the schools built by Jesuit Service. Schooling assistance and scholarships are also provided to student with poor backgrounds, as well as support to landmine survivors in many ways. Fr.Greg Priyadi sj explains “In 2005, a new radio program `Song Cum Chivet´ (Social Life) started to broadcast testimonies of people with a disability who achieved formation or new skills thanks to their strength.

It also broadcasts positive stories of parents and students, and the audience can phone and interact with them.”

 

Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang; Phum Rumchek 1, Khum Rattanak; Box 330, Battambang, Cambodia Tel: +855 53 730219; Email: prefbatt@battambang.net