KHMER ALLIANCE FOUNDATION (KAF)

Houston, Texas
October 8th & 9th, 2005
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Dear ladies, gentlemen and friends,

Dear Mr. Houi Vi, CANC President, Dear Dr. Hay San Meas and Mr. Nitha Tep, Conference Co-Chair, and Organizing Committee members of the Cambodian-American National Council,

I am very privileged and very happy being here to see old and new friends today.

On behalf of the Khmer Alliance Foundation (KAF), I am very much honored to be invited to this National Conference organized by the Cambodian-American National Council (CANC) and the Cambodian Association of Houston. I appreciate very much of the enduring effort and hard work to made this conference possible and successful. Thank you so much for the efforts and wonderful teamwork.

As KAF representative, I have the honor and an obligation to present KAF’s Program of Action to you at this Conference, in this great City of Houston, Home of NASA/Johnson Space Center, in the Great State of Texas.

In response to the “Call For Presentation” set forth by the Organizing Committee, I choose to talk on the topic of “Contribution of Cambodians Abroad to Cambodia”, that is, in turn, included in “Cambodia 30 Years Later”. That concerns a historic period that reminds us of the turmoil, chaos and hopelessness from 1975 to 2005. In this two decades, Cambodia was undergone the effect of Vietnam War, suffered severe destruction under the Communist Khmer Rouge and torn apart, occupied by powerful Vietnamese armed forces, and now is under the restoration for peace, human rights and democracy. To alleviate the problem and assist Cambodians, we, as member of the Khmer Alliance Foundation (KAF) have contributed to Cambodia and her people, in a possible manner, through various projects according to the bylaw of the State of California.

1. HISTORICAL EVENTS:
1.1. April 17th, 1975 to Dec. 23, 1978 (3 years, 8 months, and 20 days) was under the period of Communist Khmer Rouge regime widely known as a period of destruction, physically and spiritually, the period of the “Killing Fields” or the “Holocaust” of the 20th century, when around 1.7 million died, several hundred thousands others fled the country for safety and life. It was horrible while Cambodia was closed to westerners; there was no help sand even Cambodians overseas could not help.

1.2. January 7th, 1979 to October 23rd, 1991 is another period when Cambodia was invaded and occupied by the Vietnamese communist armed forces under a pretext of rescuing of Cambodian people. However, after getting rid of the Pol Pot’s regime, people were still suffered so much by the K5 plan and a decade of arm conflict of “proxy war” between the Communist and the Non-Communist groups. Still, several hundreds thousands fled the country. During this period, we are somewhat adjusted ourselves to a new life, a somewhat self-support. Then, many Cambodian stood up and support the liberation efforts of non-Communist, others organized charitable groups with similar concerns and feelings, formed an organization, known as “Khmer Alliance Foundation” (KAF). Under the spirit of the Paris Agreement of 23 October 1991, Cambodia should be free and peaceful.

To better convey the messages and thoughts, my speech will go along with slide show on KAF Background, Mission Statement, Humanitarian Activities in the past, current activities, and new approaches for the future. That is about everything, and my presentation is to follow!

2. BACKGROUND: What is KAF?
After months of talks, a dozen of Cambodians from the various parts of the United States gathered on July 4th, 1988 in Arcata, California, to discuss the Cambodian problems and the fate of the Cambodian people. From this lengthily and serious discussion and under the spirit of unity and reconciliation, KHMER ALLIANCE FOUNDATION (KAF) was born. KAF became legally incorporated under California laws on January 3,1989. KAF is a charitable non-profit, tax-exempt organization committed to education, development and social well-being of the Cambodians living inside Cambodia and /or abroad, and others who are interested in the development of Cambodia.

3. MISSION STATEMENT:
The goals for which KAF is formed are:
3.1. to provide social services and assistance to the Cambodian people in need, directly or through other non-profit charitable organization;
3.2. to educate the Cambodian and American general public about the past and current situations in Cambodia;
3.3. to provide assistance to organization and entities engaging in charitable, social, economic, and educational programs serving Cambodians and other people;
3.4. to encourage and support any activities that ensures and protects the social welfare and human rights of the Cambodians and other people.

4. KAF ACTIVITIES:
In its early stage, KAF provides a variety of assistance here in the U.S.A. and in Cambodia:
4.1. In the US, KAF did fundraising and provided scholarship to good grade students who want to continue their studies in college and University;

4.2. In the Refugee Camps (1989 to 1991), KAF sent volunteer staffs (Dr. Meng Srun Sin, MM. Chhang Marith and Paul Im) to teach students in the refugee camps in Thailand under the program of UNHCR;
4.3. In Singapore (1992), KAF sent Dr. Bo Sin to train teacher-trainers from Cambodia for six months;

5. From October 23rd, 1991 until today (2005) is the period that Cambodia’s conflict is supposed to end through program of reconciliation, rehabilitation, reconstruction and democratization process according to the Paris Peace Agreement of October 23rd, 1991. However, the Agreement has not been well in the heart and mind of the Cambodian leaders.

5.1. In Cambodia, during the UNTAC operation, 1993-96, KAF President and members participated actively in the programs of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction endorsed by the UNDP and USAID. Later, some members decide to stay working in Cambodia, while others stay outside of the country. Those who decide to work for the Cambodian government had resigned from KAF, leaving KAF always neutral. Those who stay outside of Cambodia dedicate themselves to do campaigning and fundraising for the relief effort for the needy and victims of natural disasters, victims of flood and drought.

5.2. Book project for Cambodia:
a. January 7th, 1994: Donated 1,233 academic English books and 1,946 journals to Agronomic University of Chamcar Daung. Thanks to Dr. Sin who made every effort to ship the books from the U.S.A. and distributed them in Cambodia.
b. January 17th, 1995: Donated 9,118 academic books to the University of P.Penh;
c. January 18th, 1995: Donated 3,100 books to Camcontrol and the Ministry of Commerce, University of Agronomy, Faculty of Medicine, and the Institute of Technology.

Sincere thanks go to Rev. George Wan Tian Soo who delivered 13,226 English books to KAF, worth about $200,000.00, and to Sovann Lowe who help in shipment. Beside, Vietnamese and Russian books were not in use and found on the floor behind the bookshelves of the library in the University of Agronomy of Chamcar Daung, and presumably the same in other universities.

5.3. Emergency Assistance:
a. October 4th, 1996: First distribution of food supply worth $1,677.00 to 434 families
b. in Ponhea Loeu, Kandal Province;
c. October 18th, 1996: Second distribution of food, sarong and scarves to 40 families
d. (170 people) in Khum Samrong, Kandal Province.
e. February 2004: Distribution of food to victims of drought in Kandal Province.

5.4. Drinking Water: Digging four wells ($120.00 each) in Srok Odong, Kompong Speu Province in 2000.
5.5. advocacy project:
On March 8, 2003, KAF organized an International Symposium on Cambodia at George Mason University (GMU). It was a new approach for public education on current event in Cambodia, in Washington, D.C., covering the issues of Economic Development; Territorial Integrity and National borders; Democracy & Human Rights; and the 2003’s National Election.

5.6. Other donations:
a. Besides, KAF built a library in Wat Po Chum, Chouk, Kompot Province in 2003, and donated a complete series of Preah Tribidak books.
b. A sanitarian facility was built and dedicated to primary school of Prey Puoch, Srok Ang Snuol, Kandal Province, by kaf member Sovann Lowe of Ridgefield, WA.

However, we often hear of poverty, human rights abuses, killing and impunity even though the UN observers still helped curb the violence, and constantly provided huge financial assistance. According to foreign diplomats, the security and peace in Cambodia seems fragile and doubtful. According to economist Sok Hach, the majority of Cambodians lives under the poverty line. Therefore, we believe that Cambodia still needs helps from us and the world community. That is why we are here today!

6. NEW APPROACH:
KAF is undertaking new approach to promote new projects for Community Assistance and individual Assistance since 2004. Chantrea Project is one of the most essential project for Community Assistance in Tuol Sdey, Chantrea District, Svay Rieng Province. New KAF program of action has been developed and organized in three groups as follows:

6.1. advocacy project. It is an educational project intended to education the public for the well-being of all people. It includes public meeting, conference, seminar and community forum to raise awareness and educate the public about the problems and hot issues Cambodia, and how to eradicate them. Recently, KAF has done many public services in meetings, such as successful forum in different cities throughout the US, such as International Symposium in Washington, D.C.; the 50th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Cambodia (1953-2003) in Seattle; the Reception of H. E. Mr. Charles A. Ray, US Ambassador to Cambodia, 27 January 2005; the reception of Mr. Pengse Sean, Chairman of the Cambodia’s Borders Committee Worldwide (CFC/CBC), on Sunday, June 26, 2005 in Seattle.

6.2. Assistance project: The Community Assistance project provides a bridge between Cambodian Community Overseas and the Cambodian community in Cambodia, usually called “Sister Community”. The Cambodian Communities Overseas will include those in Australia, Canada, Belgium, Italy, France, Switzerland, and so on
(in Europe). The Cambodian communities in Cambodia include the underprivileged Cambodian community in a remote town or village.

6.3. Scholarship project: The project opens an opportunity in the field of education that includes “individual scholarship” and “Free English classes” for students in the districts and provinces. Individual Scholarship is designed to provide a bridge between individual Cambodian Oversea and an individual student in Cambodia. It
consists of a person who is living abroad and willing to sponsor a child in the primary school or a student in a college or university of a choice, - a relative or someone else in Cambodia whom you are willing to help.

 

As stated above, KAF has served Cambodian people in America and Cambodia for over 17 years until today, from 1988 to 2005.

To assist people, KAF will hire a person in Cambodia as KAF Coordinator to work in the field, going from one community to another to assure the efficiency of the project.

WISHES & HOPE: TO ACHIEVE THESE ESTABLISHED GOALS, THE ORGANIZATION WILLNEED PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL SUPPORT FROM ALL CAMBODIANS OF ALL GENERATIONS, ESPACIALLY FROM OUR YOUTH.

Thank You Very Much for Your Attention!

Marith, Chhang
KAF Executive Director