A Message from the Directors
Since our introduction to Aziza’s Place and Phnom Penh two years ago, we have witnessed the city change, and seen amazing progress with our children and programs. The children are growing at an astounding rate both physically and intellectually. We are amazed with their ever increasing eagerness to learn and experience the world around them. Changes in Phnom Penh are occurring through fast-paced development; skyscrapers are rising and more and more businesses are moving in. Land grabbing, evictions, and a greater divide between the rich and poor are the result. This development is leaving Cambodia's next generation with an unnerving set of challenges.
Aziza’s Place prepares our residents to overcome these challenges. Students will graduate from AP with an invaluable skill set that incorporates education, vocational training, and a creative and open mindset. Our staff and teachers instill the importance of leadership and challenge students to imagine how they can make a positive impact on state of their community. In this issue we highlight our film education and vocational training programs that serve our ultimate goal to prepare residents for the world outside of AP. We will continue to adapt and develop our educational and vocational programs to meet the standards of a future in the rapidly changing country of Cambodia. We are so grateful for your support of Aziza’s Place as we continue to provide children with a new future, a future they choose.
With gratitude,
Ali and Dan
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Lights! Camera! Aziza’s Place Film Program is Back in Action
Aziza’s Place film education program, sponsored by ArtVenture, has recommenced as of June 1st. Five AP students are taught by M
r. Timothy Vann, a professional Cambodian filmmaker and founder of HighDef Productions based in Phnom Penh. Mr. Vann has experience in directing and writing movies and commercials for Khmer television. His expertise lies in the techniques and production of film. We are excited to have this qualified teacher resume the film program.
Through this unique program, students are educated in the entire filmmaking process; from film history and technique to concept creation and production. After learning the lighting, sound, and film equipment, each student brings their own story to life with the help of their classmates in a short, 15 minute film.
With Mr. Vann, the students have developed their pre-production concept, a story titled “Hygiene City.” The premise of this film is to document Phnom Penh’s poor waste management system. Their idea is to make a documentary depicting Phnom Penh’s current waste management problems and to compare it to a city renowned for its clean waste management practices.
The film education program was pioneered and taught by Nader Ebrahimi, Aziza’s Place past director. Nader’s knowledge and passion as a professional filmmaker greatly inspired his film students. Aziza’s Place film program is the first of its kind in Phnom Penh. We are grateful to Nader for visualizing the benefits and impact a program like this can have on children at AP and in Cambodian culture.
r. Timothy Vann, a professional Cambodian filmmaker and founder of HighDef Productions based in Phnom Penh. Mr. Vann has experience in directing and writing movies and commercials for Khmer television. His expertise lies in the techniques and production of film. We are excited to have this qualified teacher resume the film program.Through this unique program, students are educated in the entire filmmaking process; from film history and technique to concept creation and production. After learning the lighting, sound, and film equipment, each student brings their own story to life with the help of their classmates in a short, 15 minute film.
With Mr. Vann, the students have developed their pre-production concept, a story titled “Hygiene City.” The premise of this film is to document Phnom Penh’s poor waste management system. Their idea is to make a documentary depicting Phnom Penh’s current waste management problems and to compare it to a city renowned for its clean waste management practices.
The film education program was pioneered and taught by Nader Ebrahimi, Aziza’s Place past director. Nader’s knowledge and passion as a professional filmmaker greatly inspired his film students. Aziza’s Place film program is the first of its kind in Phnom Penh. We are grateful to Nader for visualizing the benefits and impact a program like this can have on children at AP and in Cambodian culture.
AP Resident Sponsored in Web Design Program
We are proud to report that our eldest male resident, Rotha, 16, has received a vocational skills sponsorship in website design thanks to Arocore. With the help of a local non-governmental organization (NGO), New Future for Children, Rotha was accepted into the program taught at Bartouk Computer Professional Center. Rotha will learn HTML programming before graduating to PHP, a web development tool. Being computer savvy, this program is ideal for Rotha who had already programmed six computer games on his XO laptop. Computer programming and web development is a coveted skill within the Cambodian job market and will give Rotha expanded career opportunities in a field he loves.
As with Rotha, Aziza’s Place is working to pair our older students with vocational training programs and internships based on their interests and abilities. Resource sharing is extremely helpful in Phnom Penh which is home to hundreds of NGOs specializing in human development. We hope to find vocational training opportunities for at least two more students before the end of this year.
Families Uncertain in the Face of Evictions
This month’s Family Night provided a great opportunity to discuss our growing concerns about the evictions and relocation of the Steung Meanchey city dumpsite. Many of our resident families live and work at the dumpsite scavenging for items to be recycled for money. They are plagued with rumors that the dumpsite will be moved far outside of the city. When that day comes, they say they will be forced onto the street as they have no alternative means of income. Many have asked that we help them find other jobs. From reliable housing rights NGOs and Habitat for Humanity, we have confirmation that the dumpsite will close down by the end of the year. We are working to ensure our families are a part of a sustainable relocation initiative. All the families have made it clear they want their children to remain in the care of Aziza’s Place. 
Amidst the serious conversation, parents, siblings, teachers, staff, and children enjoyed a delectable meal prepared by our in-house chef Seaklim. The children ended the evening with presentations to their guests about their current topics in English class (right). Parents and children alike were proud of their accomplishments.
Thank you and "Bon Voyage" to AP Volunteers
Fauzia Ghori, Mother of Aziza’s Place Namesake Visits, Makes Lasting Impression
Residents and staff are honored Fauzia Ghori, mother of Aziza Yasmeen Ghori, visited us in Phnom Penh for three weeks. Fauzia is the Co-founder of Th
e Aziza Foundation. Foundation projects had previously brought her to Cambodia, but this was her first time meeting the children of Aziza’s Place. The children endearingly nicknamed her “Mom” and had loads of fun dancing to her iPod tunes! Aside from the fun, Fauzia devoted her time and energy to networking and forging partnerships for Aziza’s Place.
Along with discussing the long-term goals of AP, Fauzia took a hands-on approach with the children. She taught our beginner English class as they made headway with their phonics and reading. Her in-depth presentation on India, where her family is from, concluded with a Bollywood movie and Indian food night. She also sponsored a trip to see a show at Sovanna Phum, a Cambodian cultural arts center. Fauzia, we send a heartfelt thank you for visiting, and countdown the days to your return!
Missy Was
hington Leaves Legacy at Aziza’s Place
Missy joined Aziza’s Place in October of 2008 as a volunteer English and Art teacher. With a background in art and non-profits, she immediately fell in love with her work at AP. Missy showed incredible care for the individual well-being of each child, and for the future of Aziza’s Place. She extended her efforts to giving daily English lessons to our two house moms. In Jan. 2009 Missy took on the position of Communications Director and developed our monthly newsletter. Further, her outreach brought qualified, enthusiastic volunteers to Aziza’s Place. We thank Missy for her devotion to the children of AP and we hope she will rejoin the Aziza team soon. Missy, we dedicate this edition of the Courtyard to you!
Wishing volunteers Ben & Maria Mays ‘Bon Voyage’
Ben and Maria Mays spent six months living in the apartment next door to Aziza’s Place. While they spent their time volunteering with humanitarian organizations in Cambodia, the residents and staff of AP were lucky to have The Mays’ as friends and neighbors. We thank them for their generous love and commitment to Aziza’s Place. We wish them all the best and look forward to their next visit to Cambodia! Click here to see what Ben and Maria have to say about their time at Aziza’s Place.
Residents and staff are honored Fauzia Ghori, mother of Aziza Yasmeen Ghori, visited us in Phnom Penh for three weeks. Fauzia is the Co-founder of Th
e Aziza Foundation. Foundation projects had previously brought her to Cambodia, but this was her first time meeting the children of Aziza’s Place. The children endearingly nicknamed her “Mom” and had loads of fun dancing to her iPod tunes! Aside from the fun, Fauzia devoted her time and energy to networking and forging partnerships for Aziza’s Place.
Along with discussing the long-term goals of AP, Fauzia took a hands-on approach with the children. She taught our beginner English class as they made headway with their phonics and reading. Her in-depth presentation on India, where her family is from, concluded with a Bollywood movie and Indian food night. She also sponsored a trip to see a show at Sovanna Phum, a Cambodian cultural arts center. Fauzia, we send a heartfelt thank you for visiting, and countdown the days to your return!
Missy Was
hington Leaves Legacy at Aziza’s Place
Missy joined Aziza’s Place in October of 2008 as a volunteer English and Art teacher. With a background in art and non-profits, she immediately fell in love with her work at AP. Missy showed incredible care for the individual well-being of each child, and for the future of Aziza’s Place. She extended her efforts to giving daily English lessons to our two house moms. In Jan. 2009 Missy took on the position of Communications Director and developed our monthly newsletter. Further, her outreach brought qualified, enthusiastic volunteers to Aziza’s Place. We thank Missy for her devotion to the children of AP and we hope she will rejoin the Aziza team soon. Missy, we dedicate this edition of the Courtyard to you!
Wishing volunteers Ben & Maria Mays ‘Bon Voyage’
Ben and Maria Mays spent six months living in the apartment next door to Aziza’s Place. While they spent their time volunteering with humanitarian organizations in Cambodia, the residents and staff of AP were lucky to have The Mays’ as friends and neighbors. We thank them for their generous love and commitment to Aziza’s Place. We wish them all the best and look forward to their next visit to Cambodia! Click here to see what Ben and Maria have to say about their time at Aziza’s Place.
How to Help: Donate • Volunteer • Share
The success of Aziza's Place to date is solely due to the generosity and commitment of our supporters. Whether through funding, volunteering, or simply raising awareness among your own network of family and friends, we thank you! You ensure that Aziza's Place continues to provide a nurturing home and quality education to our incredible resident children.
Benefit Show for Aziza’s Place is a Smash Hit! Aziza’s Place would like to thank Eliza Callahan, Lulu Pratt, and Owen McCormick for organizing a benefit show on June 5th in New York City. Their band played for a group of about 100 people. We thank this group of globally minded high school students for bringing education to Cambodian children.
Benefit Show for Aziza’s Place is a Smash Hit! Aziza’s Place would like to thank Eliza Callahan, Lulu Pratt, and Owen McCormick for organizing a benefit show on June 5th in New York City. Their band played for a group of about 100 people. We thank this group of globally minded high school students for bringing education to Cambodian children.
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