The YMCA Cambodia Project

   Three years ago, our Cambodian Staff had a new idea, to help Cambodian American's connect to their heritage in Cambodia. It was an easy idea to grasp considering two things: In Long Beach, we have the largest population of Cambodians outside of Cambodia and our branch reflects this by having the most Cambodian YMCA employees in the country. The idea became a goal and three years later this goal was met.  Last November, we sent 6 of our Cambodian Staff to Cambodia to participate in a cultural exchange. The trip was a huge success. It was also filmed and a documentary was produced by our very own Change Agent Productions. We are now proud to announce the documentary is complete and is available to view on YouTube (www.youtube.com/ymcacambodiaproject) or you can watch it below. We are very excited for the opportunities that this production will open up for not only our staff but also the Cambodian YMCA we have partnered with.  Enjoy the film.
        For more information on the YMCA Cambodia Project and how to get involved please visit, www.ymcacambodiaproject.org. 

A Letter From Cambodia

Dear Friends,
   
    We are in our 5th day in Cambodia and it has been quite an impacting and learning experience both for our Cambodian American staff, Board Members, other staff and the Cambodian YMCA Youth and Children that we are impacting daily.
     First, we spent a day teaching and working with the Street Kids School where we set up a carnival and water rides for over 70 street children from the slums of Phnom Penh. We heard their stories of sorrow such as them not going to school because they have to work selling things in the street to get food for their families or that they are orphaned taking care of their brothers and sisters and struggling daily digging in trash to survive.  Both stories would be tragic if not for this little YMCA and the food that the Y gives as well as teaching the children basic academic skills like reading, writing, English and math. Our staff's hearts went out to the children there. It was incredibly happy and heartfelt but very sad when we left.  
     Now we are doing a five day leadership and digital media training for 34 young adult YMCA members and volunteers who want to make positive change in their communities and help shape the new Cambodia from a Youth perspective. The Long Beach YMCA Cambodian American staff have been profoundly touched by their exposure to the culture, their people and their problems and progress. We are helping them start a small digital media program with the emphasis on developing a micro business in Phnom Penh.
     This is profoundly important global work and all of our Community Development YMCA staff are proud of our Participation and experiences. We will have a profoundly important story to tell in a documentary when we return to the US. I do not think that It is possible for me to capture the profound emotional and cultural impact of our experiences in this e-mail.  

Until then, wish us safe travels and PEACE,  

Bob Cabeza
Vice President of Community Development
YMCA of Greater Long Beach

Cambodian Cultural Exchange Slideshow

View detailed descriptions of photos on Community Development's Facebook Page.