FACTS |
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n 1941, a teenager ruled Cambodia!. The French installed 19-year-old Prince Sihanouk on the Cambodian throne. King Sihanouk ruled up through 1995 and is now referred to as the Father of Cambodia. |
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In Cambodia, the head is considered holy, and it is considered ill-mannered to pat any adult or child on the head. | |
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The majority of people in Cambodia are Buddhists, who worship in temples called wats. | |
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The temples of Angkor, built between 9th and 14th century AD, are among the foremost architectural wonders of the world. | |
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Music has always been an important part of Khmer culture. Traditional music is almost always in ceremonies such as weddings, rites of passage and Buddhist festivals. | |
| LINKS | ||
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Sunrise Children’s Village | |
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Reyum – a non-profit dedicated to Cambodian arts and culture. | |
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Cambodia for Kids | |
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The Children of Cambodia: Angkor Kids | |
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Cambodia Facts | |
One
Big Family
Families come in all shapes and sizes – and the fifty orphaned and
abandoned children at the Sunrise Children’s Village consider themselves
to be one big family. After thirty years of war, foreign occupation and
genocide, Cambodia has more than its share of needy children. The orphanage,
however, provides these kids with love and care, food, shelter, regular
schooling and even after-school lessons. Every afternoon, Mr. Chea and
Monitha, the music and dance teachers, arrive at the orphanage. Their
classes help to give the children a real sense of their Khmer culture
– much of which was almost destroyed during the war. What do the
kids fear? Landmines. Before the orphanage could be built, the land was
cleared of 500 landmines.
This module is part of the assemby program for older students, who will learn :
- That the human spirit – and goodwill - can help to heal the damages of war.
- How traditional dance and music can reinforce a sense of cultural identity.
- That families comes in many shapes and sizes – and that every family should support and protect the child.
- What it’s like to live in an orphanage
Global Issues:
- War & recovery
- Landmines
Curriculum tie-ins:
- Social Studies
- Art: Dance and Music
- Geography
- History
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Every afternoon, Monitha – the dance teacher –guides the children through a traditional Khmer dance routine |
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One of the boys learns to play a Roneat ek, a high-pitched xylophone |
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A remorque-mok is a motorcycle pulling a cart. This one takes 25 kids to and from school. |
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| After lunch, all the kids take a nap |
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| Sopheun, the housekeeper, is like a mother to the kids
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