Seserak (Vicheth's nickname) writes the “Cambodia to Japan” blog, a journal of his experience as a Cambodian living and going to school in Japan.

He grew up in Kampong Speu Province, located an hour's drive outside of Phnom Penh. After graduating from a local high school, he came to study business and English at the National Institute of Management and Royal University in Phnom Penh. In 2002, he received a scholarship from the Japanese government to study law at Osaka University. He plans to pursue his Masters Degree in Public Policy and return to Cambodia where he hopes to work as a researcher at a university or with a nonprofit organization (NGO).

He blogs about his homeland, including Cambodian culture. For example, his posts about Palm Trees and sorcery. He is also a poet and often publishes his poems on his blog and elsewhere. He also writes about his life in Japan, including his Japanese language class.

1. What is like to leave Cambodia and study in a different country?

If you visit Cambodia, one thing that you will definitely notice is the striking difference between life in the city and life in the provinces. Phnom Penh is a crowded city with streets, cars and buildings. Phnom Penh people live a modern lifestyle. Outside Phnom Penh are rice fields, scattered villages and very small towns. The majority of these village people live by farming the same way their ancestors did several hundred years ago. As a boy from outside the city, I used to think that Phnom Penh was another world for me.

Not until when I came to Japan did I realize that all of Cambodia is a truly different world. Outside the crowded Japanese city where I attend school, are more crowded cities. That’s very different from Cambodia. In Japan, it's hard to tell the haves from the have-nots, the great from the humble.

I am particularly impressed by the modern structures in Japan. The huge and tall buildings, the beautiful bridges and apartments, and the modern transport system. I marvel at the advanced technology, ranging from mobile phones, TVs, cameras, computers and other electronic equipment. Also, there is far more variety of reading materials like books and magazines. I’ve come to Japan to more clearly understand why countries in the world are classified as developed or developing countries, industrialized or agricultural countries.

I find the cost of living in Japan surprisingly high compared to my country. But I am equally impressed by the high income of the Japanese people.

I've also experienced the difference in language, culture, political system, and society. There is a striking difference in the way of thinking and the way of life in Japan compared to Cambodia.

2. What do you miss most about Cambodia?

That must be food. Well, I'm getting used to Japanese food but Cambodian food is always on my mind. I always think of it every time I eat Japanese food.

3. Why did you start blogging and the benefits?

I had long wanted to create a site to post my thoughts and my writings, but I didn't have computer programming skills. So last year when I stumbled across Tharum's blog, I was really impressed. I learned about the free software for creating a blog and then I started a blog!

I can share my thoughts with people from all over the world. I like to read people's comments. Blogging is a good way to broaden my knowledge of topics. If I want to write a blog post, I carefully do the research and find reference to the topic. Another benefit is that blogging encourages me to write more. Finally, I am able to meet many people from all around the world.

4. What is your greatest hope about your country, Cambodia, for the future?

Like many other Cambodians, my dream is to see a peaceful, truly democratic and prosperous Cambodia in the future. Historically, we reached our peak in the 13th century. But a century later, as historian David Chandler once put it, “Cambodia ceased to grow.” It has been seven hundred years. Such a long pause. Now it's the 21st century- the age of globalization- and many countries in the world are moving ahead. The question is what is Cambodia waiting for? It's time for us to grow, to advance, and to prosper.

Photos courtesy of Warren Anderson, UCIC

Kem Monovithya, 24, and Kem Samathida, 18, the daughters of imprisoned Human Rights activist Kem Sokha are in the US and working with Cambodian Americans to garner support for their father's release and to call attention to the crackdown on freedom of expression and democracy in Cambodia.

On December 31, 2005,  Kem Sohka, Cambodian Center for Human Rights‘ director, and Yeng Virak, head of the Community Legal Education Center, were arrested for allegedly defaming the government in connection with a banner displayed on International Human Rights Day.  So far, five individuals, either journalists, trade unionists, or prominent human rights activists have been arrested based on complaints filed by the government or its leaders.  Most relate directly to opinions expressed about Prime Minister Hun Sen of the dominant Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), and criticisms over sensitive border issues with neighboring Vietnam.

Critics, including the United States, the United Nations, World Bank and international human rights groups , have condemned the government's actions and said they show Cambodia, under Hun Sen's rule, is becoming more authoritarian than democratic.

While their father was being taken to Prey Sar prison, Kem's daughters were en route by jet to the United States where they attend school.  They did not know of the arrest until they arrived in Washington, DC where the younger daughter Samathida will begin classes on January 17th. 

A Candlight Vigil was held in front of the White House last night organized by an umbrella organization, United Cambodian International Council (UCIC), made up of many Cambodian diaspora groups.  Monovithya Kem was one of the featured speakers and updated the audience on her father's condition in prison. The United Cambodian International Council (UCIC) co-chairs, Suykry Path from Minnesota and the Venerable Monk Rithipol of Massachusetts, also made remarks.

“I am encouraged by these efforts made by Cambodians in America and around the world,” said Monovithya Kem.   "I feel certain that my father and his fight for democracy in Cambodia is not and will not be forgotten.”

Today, Loving-Kindness Ceremonies ("Bon Psay Meta" in Cambodian) were held at major Buddhist Temples across America.  I reached Kem Sokha's younger daughter, Samathida, by phone who told me that she was touched by support she and her sister are receiving from Cambodian Americans and others.

She went on to say that her father's arrest is very wrong. "Cambodian people have brains, they think and they want to be able to speak their minds.  But, if the government doesn't like what you say, you are put in jail.  We are voiceless in our own country."  She urged those who care about freedom of expression to put pressure on the Cambodian government to release her father and all those who have been jailed.   "Please do not abandon Cambodia."

The two daughters will meet with U.S. Representatives and Senators in  Washington, D.C. tommorrow to make a personal appeal and deliver letters of support from the Cambodian NGOS, Cambodian Americans, and others.

Perhaps they will start a blog to continue to tell their story and plead for their father's release and demand freedom of expression in Cambodia. The recent actions by the government, however, have had a chilling effect on the Cambodian blogosphere. Bloggers in country are not expressing their views on the topic.

The Cambodian Government's actions to silence critics of the ruling party rang in the New Year with the arrests Human Rights activists Kem Sokha, Yeng Virak and Pa Nguon Teang. The arrests were prompted by banners displayed on Human Rights Day held on December 10, 2005.

These newly detained activists were thrown into Prey Sar prison with journalist Mam Sonando and teacher's union leader Rong Chhun, who were both arrested 3 months ago for offering critical views on government's actions related to sensitive border issues
between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Licado, a Cambodian human rights NGO, has launched an awareness campaign to call attention to these abuses and garner support from the International community for the detainees by putting the Association for Freedom of Expression in Cambodia yellow ribbon (above) on your blog or website and linking to this page.

Photo of Kem Sokha via VOA

Via Jinja who points to this AP wire story about the arrest of the Kem Sokha, Cambodian Center for Human Rights.   It confirms that Yeng Virak, head of the Community Legal Education Center, was also arrested.

The article provides more details about the banners displayed at Human Rights Day that prompted the arrest. (Cambodia Blog has a post with some photos from the December event here and here - but not the banner described below.)  The Cambodian government also denied cracking down on freedom of expression:

Khieu Kanharith, the government spokesman and information minister, said the government has sued the two men over a critical banner they displayed during a gathering on International Human Rights Day on Dec.10. He said the banner labeled Hun Sen as a "communist" and a "traitor who has sold away (Cambodian) land to Vietnam."

"We have already stated in the past that this (accusation) is very serious," he said, denying the government is cracking down on freedom of expression.

U.S. Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli suggested in his comments that the latest action shows the Cambodian government is more authoritarian than democratic.    In an article in the Cambodia Daily, Mussomeli said "We are concerned that this may be part of a broader plan to
quash the opposition. The prospects for a credible and fair election in 2008 are being impaired…. They've scared the hell out of the opposition and it becomes more difficult to take these trappings of democracy as the real thing."

Virak's lawyer said the arrest is unfair as the words on the banner in question were scribbled by someone else and that when the organizers saw it, the banner was promptly removed.    Still some argue, a government tolerant of free speech would not be throwing the organizers of the event or the organization holding the banner in jail.

Those blogging fromoutside the country expressed dismay about recent events. According to an article in the Cambodia Daily, for some Cambodians citizens quoted in the article, the arrest is a warning to stop speaking out. One unidentified source quoted in the article is calling for outside help:

"The UN and powerful countries around the world should intervene on this matter in order to help those  activists," he said. "Then Cambodian people can take the second step in protesting to release Kem Sokha and others."

Expat Cambodians living in the US are organizing and urging US citizens to contact
their government officials to express outrage about the situation.  Here is an opinion piece from the Cambodia Information Center blog entitled Freedom Of Expression Being Haunted By Ghost Of The Past which is also encouraging people to speak out.

It looks like 2006 will be an even more difficult year for those fighting for freedom of expression in Cambodia according to this post by Jinja about the New Year's Eve arrest of Kem Sokha. According to news reports, this means that four critics of the government are now in jail awaiting trial.

The charges are based on actions of Mr. Sokha's organization, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, at a public celebration of free speech at Olympic Stadium on December 10. (International Human Rights Day.)

Mr. Sokha is part of the Alliance of Freedom of Expression in Cambodia, a newly formed group of more than 30 NGOs in Cambodia, which launched a national campaign preceding the event, using the yellow ribbon logo above. Mr. Sokha is a strong advocate for freedom of expression in Cambodia and has been outspoken regarding the arrest of Mam Sonando from ‘Beehive Radio‘.

The KI-Media Blog has posted the above photos of the arrest and an eye witness account by Ms. Theary Seng from Phnom Penh and author of the book, Asrei: Daughter of the Killing Fields.

Jinja includes a roundup of news and listserv postings on this topic and promises further updates as they happen.

1. How and why did you find yourself in Cambodia?

Five years ago, after more than three years of working as a TV producer, I lost my enthusiasm for my work and resigned. My sister was working for an NGO as a volunteer agriculturist in Cambodia and encouraged me to take a job there.

2. Tell us about your work in Cambodia with the NGO, Mlup Baitong.

Mlup Baitong’s mission is to address the problem of deforestation in Cambodia, with a focus on educating the public on conservation of natural resources. I manage the over-all production of the radio program, attending production meetings and conducting in-house training for the local radio program staff so that they can take over my place after a period of time. It was difficult to learn to the language at first! Now, I enjoy working with my colleagues, traveling, searching for stories, interviewing people and listening to their stories and just interacting with them. Although I come from a different culture, it doesn't hamper my work. It is a benefit.

3. How does your NGO use technology to support your advocacy and education work?

Our organization gets feedback from listeners of our radio program via email and sms text messages. (I got an exchange deal with a local mobile phone company and they gave us a free dial number so that listeners can call in during the broadcast for free for one year.)

After broadcast, we re-edit the material and distribute for pagoda broadcasts in the provinces during holy days. The monks broadcast it through the pagoda public address system, a rudimentary system composed of a cassette player connected to an amplifier. The monks help us with our environmental education and advocacy work. I've written about this program on my blog and posted photographs on flickr.

The Community Forestry committee was also provided with a digital camera to aid them in documenting illegal activities that they've encountered during their regular patrols inside the forest. The pictures are very vital evidence when the committee members write reports to local authorities or our organization to seek assistance. The committee members of Community Forestry and Ecotourism projects were trained in basic computer skills and English language skills.

4. Tell us about your blog?

I started my blog with the main goal of keeping in touch with family, relatives and friends from far and wide. I want them all to know about my work in Cambodia, and life here in general. My Indonesian friend introduced me to blogging. Using chats, she taught me how to start a blog and upload pictures.

When I started to get lots of visitors, I realized why not blog more about my work with Mlup Baitong? Although my blog is primarily for family and friends, I am inspired to read comments left by visitors saying that they learn more and something different about Cambodia’s environment.

The Water Festival (”Bon Om Tuk”), the most exuberant festival in Cambodia, took place on November 15-17th. According to Jinja, the Festival marks the start of the dry season and of Bon Kathan (a Buddhist practice done yearly where new robes are offered to monks).

Up to a million people from all walks of life and from all over the country flocked to the banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers in Phnom Penh to watch traditional boats racing. As Phatry notes about the crowds, “I woke up amazingly late at 10 in the morning. already, hundreds of thousands phnom penhois, country folks, and tourists swell the waterfront and independence monument area. “

Hundreds of boats and paddlers will compete, including a boat team of HIV-positive men and women.

According to Jinja, many villages send a boat team to Phnom Penh. The village boat is usually stored at a community temple ('Vat') and the team begins practicing in the months before November. Companies, nonprofits, associations and groups of friends assemble boat teams.

There is great pride for the local village boat team. As KhmerAK notes,”People going to see the boat racing along the river and especially giving support to the one comming from the province where they from, and maybe me too, going to support the one from my province . . .”

In addition to the photograph above, Jinja captured some amazing photos of the Water Festival boats. He also photographed some of the illuminated boats on the river in the evenings, like this one:

Meanwhile, Cambodian bloggers living out of country, like Wanna, are reminded of the Water Festival.

Last month Jinja captured this photo of these two Cambodian boys playing with toy guns in the streets of Phnom Penh. Even though Jinja played with guns as child, he thought these scenes were a little disturbing because the guns looked so real!

A few days ago, Chlim01 is Bored blogged about a recent news item about children and young adults attacking each other with Samurai swords, injuring a 10 year-old- boy and briefly alarming people living in a provincial town. The kids with swords were arrested by police. All were clients in a NGO's drug program, Mith Samlanh, and were recovering from drug addictions. One wonders how these got their hands on Samurai swords?

Despite the newspaper headline, the organization is well-known for its work with homeless kids in Cambodia and one of the two NGOS that dares to work with drug users in this country. Mith Samlanh's programs have been mentioned on blogs by expats, like Sweet Cucumber and Jungle Blog.

Life as a homeless child in Cambodia is a very difficult life, as this poem by a former orphan and blogged by Tharum indicates. There is a ray of hope, as this struggling poet was able to improve his circumstances.

Poem in Cambodian language by Seserak

Several Cambodian bloggers have been sharing their poetry online. The poem above, entitled Autumn in English, is by Seserak, a Cambodian college student studying in Japan and probably experiencing quite a different fall than in his homeland. The poem is translated into English in the comments.

Tharum posted a poem entitled, Life Reading and is about the importance of reading. Tharum's poem was inspired by a gift of a poetry book from another Cambodian blogger, Jinja who blogs about the local arts and literary scene.

KhmerOverseas , a Cambodian living in Texas, often writes about the poetry he is reading by Cambodian poets, some published in online journals. His packing list for his next trip back to Cambodia, includes requests for poetry books from friends and relatives.

Those who aren't writing poems or about poems on their blogs can certainly find a wide variety of Cambodian poetry readings offline, including Swedish/Cambodian poetry.

Blogger Little Sopha with member of Michael Learns To Rock Band, in Russian Market, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

According Tharum the news that the touring schedule of a Danish rock band named Michael Learns To Rock, included a date in Phnom Penh, inspired "a wave of euphoria of younger generation of the country."    According to the article Tharum excerpted from Phnom Penh Post, Michael Learns to Rock's most famous single, "Take Me To Your Heart," was a hit in Cambodia, spawning a locally-produced Khmer language version. (Here's a music video of the Korean version - and here's a link to the Cambodian language version

Little Sopha a Cambodian blogger, posted her wish for winning tickets in the SME lottery and lamented that she like 8 million other Cambodian fans would watch the concert on television (CTN - Cambodian Television Network).  However, Sopha was lucky enough to get the above photo:

"In the afternoon one of the group members and a friend of his made a quick visit to Russian Market, and that is where a miraculous event occurred. My cousin gave me a call telling about their unexpected presence, I then also had a wonderful chance to have photos with them… It was just so nice,  I really can't describe how happy I was at that moment… Hmmm, if only had the three of them been there together… :D … Well, still it was just like a WONDERFUL DREAM COMES TRUE!"

The implementation partner is Khmer Open Source Project, an Open Source Software Localization project to customize Khmer-Language versions of applications and most recently an operating system. (Tharum offers a screen shot via Da, a software enigneer working on the project).

How is the government mandate for Open Source software and the implementation of Khmer language software shaping the Cambodian Blogosphere?   During the summer, the Khmer Open Source Project released open source Cambodian language blogging software and in September the number of registered bloggers more than doubled, from 100 to 205.

Based on my reading of the few English-language posts, this young, but vibrant blog community is turning into an incredible information resource.  The blog conversations taking place include some on technology, for example, “How Can We Translate the Word Avitar Into Cambodian?.” There are also threads on cultural activities, music, and perhaps politics.

I'm not sure because my Cambodian language skills are limited, so I know that I'm missing out on lots more.     Not too long ago, I predicted that Global Voices will eventually need a bilingual bridge blogger to summarize in English some of the Khmer-Language posts.    The time has come! And, Tharum would be a fantastic bilingual bridge blogger!

Eath Chhnon (otherwise known as “Village Girl“) is a Cambodian “video blogger” or vlogger. She grew up in a small village in Cambodia near Angkor Wat, one of country’s cultural treasures. Two years ago, at age 20, she came to New York City. Eath is video blogging her life story.

1. Why did you start vlogging?

I think vlogging is an interesting way to express yourself and the right medium for my voice. It has changed my life in many ways. I can communicate with new people who share an interest in my country. Also, I’ve met people who I would not otherwise meet.

2. How did you learn vlogging?

I had never seen or touched a computer when I lived in Cambodia – my family lives in a small village – they’re farmers and don’t have electricity. When I came to the US, I taught myself how to use a computer. I was lucky enough to meet Ryanne Hodson who showed me how to do it. It took me about a day. Ryanne has her tutorials online, so anyone can learn as easily as I did.

3. What type of responses do you get from Cambodians viewing your vlog?

My vlog has been linked to from a lot of the Cambodian portals so I have a lot of Cambodian people viewing my vlog and commenting. They get so excited. I get lots of emails telling me “I love your movies!” They ask me a lot of questions about where I grew up in Cambodia. They are inspired that I grew up in a small village in Cambodia and live in Manhattan.

I had a very good friend from my village who was a driver for tourists and immigrated to Europe. By chance, he found my blog and left a comment. I was so surprised to reconnect with an old friend.

4. Why do you think people should vlog?

There are many Cambodians who leave Cambodia and they can’t connect with their family in a visual way. Phone calls are expensive and if they're lucky they can exchange email. But the vlog is almost like being face-to-face and great way to connect back to your culture. Of course, not everyone in Cambodia has Internet access. For example, my family can’t view my vlog – they don’t speak English and they don’t have computers or Internet access or even electricity.

5. What can vlogging do for Cambodians?

I think that Cambodians whether still in Cambodia or in other places in the world should express themselves – and tell the world about their ideas, culture, and experience. Not many Cambodians are doing vlogs yet and there are some good reasons for that (equipment, lack of Internet access, language barriers, skills, etc.) That aside, I want to encourage Cambodians to vlog. That’s why I started a listserv to help people from Cambodia to learn how to do it.

(Note: And judging by the discussion on the list, expect to see some vlog posts from Cambodians in the near future.)

Hok KaKada, age 21, is one of six software engineers working on the Khmer OpenSource Software Project and the only woman. “Da” was born in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. She has worked on the project since August, 2004.

The Khmer OS Project is customizing OpenSource software programs so they run in Khmer language, including soon to be released blogging software. That means learning English is no longer a barrier to learning how to use a computer in Cambodia. The project involves not only a huge amount of coding work, but translation too, over 30,000 strings. Not just the English to Khmer words, but also developing culturally appropriate images and computer terms. Take for example renaming FireFox as Mekhala, replacing the Firefox logo with a culturally appropriate image of the Khmer goddess bringing light to the world.

1. How did you get interested in technology?

I started to fall in love with IT when I was in grade 9 when I first saw a computer. I knew nothing about computers, but I found them amazing and magical. I decided to pursue Computer Science and Engineering degree at University.

Cambodia is one the poorest countries in the world. So, the use of computer is not common and IT training at University level is fairly new. Today, Internet access costs about US $1 per hour in places like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and while it is much less expensive compared to a few years ago (US$5 per hour), that’s still a lot of money for Cambodians.

2. What is your job on the Khmer OS team?

I have been working with a team of OS Engineers translating, tracking, and updating the software. It is now running on OpenOffice.org 1.9.121. We are now also preparing Training for student and for trainer.

3. Are there many female software engineers in Cambodia?

There are 6 OS Engineers, and I am the only woman. There are 4 Master Teacher Trainers, but only one woman too. There are more man than woman working in the IT field in Cambodia. My first year at school, there were only two woman in my class among 45-50 students.

4. What are your hopes for the Khmer OS Software project?

KhmerOS is working smoothly and gaining interest from Cambodian users. With the help of NiDA, we hope to spread Khmer Software throughout Cambodia.

KhmerOS team will do their best to help Cambodian people spend less time (and money) on sitting in front to Computer, because interface will be in Khmer Language, not a foreign language.

6. Can you tell more about the Khmer language software for blogs being developed?

We are localizing the Drupal FOSS contents management system, which includes a blogging system. We will probably have it available on the second week of September. (Note: Tharum writes about the potential impact)

7. Do think it is important for Cambodian people to blog?

Because Cambodia is a county in which communication does not exist. 30 years of war have a left a country without trust. Identity, ethics and morals are not part of everyday life, and the only method that might bring these values back create is communication among the youth: learning how to be informed, how to debate, how to create their own values. In this context, a well guided blogging project can be a bridge between many organizations working for similar goals, as well as for publishing and understanding different points of view, and therefore advancing towards democracy.

For a good summary of the project with links, see Jinja's post.

Cross posted on Beth's Blog

Tharum started his blog in June 2004 while a student at the National
University of Management and working for the Open Forum for Cambodia, a Cambodian NGO devoted to digital divide issues.   He worked as a content editor for the Khmer language portal. 

Tharum became a celebrity when his blog was featured on the front page of the Cambodia Daily (the photo above was taken during that interview).    His fame circled the globe a few days later when another article appeared in Wired.   

I first "met" Tharum when he left a comment (one of the first!) on my blog in August, 2004.   I plan to get back to Cambodia in 2006 and hope to meet him face-to-face.

1.  A friend described you as an "IT Catcher" - can you explain what that means?

As always, young people are at the forefront of transforming their societies through the information revolution. I am personally interested in technology and I can quickly learn do something with it.

2.  What do Cambodian people think of blogs?  Are they familiar with  blogs? Do your friends and colleagues have blogs?  What do they think of YOUR blog?
 
A friend believes it is a tool he can publish thoughts, political analysis, and news review. He usually writes letter to the editor of the Cambodia Daily newspaper to voice his concern about the country. Few
people find it important, while the rest think that sleeping is a lot better. Few months after I created my personal weblog, I shared it with some friends. They, as far as I know, were not very interested in this
until my weblog was featured on the front-page of the Cambodia Daily. Since then some of them have created their own blogs. I was elated that some of them expressed support of what I have done so far with blogging.

3.  What benefits has your blog brought to you?
 

It is quite interesting to interact with people from different places all over the world. Some visitors write email to ask about working and traveling in Cambodia. This is good as I always want my home country,
Cambodia, to be known to the outside world.

4.  Do you think blogging will really take off in Cambodia?  What about the introduction of Khmer-Language software? 

Khmer Unicode and Khmer-language software, which KhmerOS project of the Open Forum of Cambodia have done, will be a major boost. People will find it easier in communication.

5.   You worked for the Community Information Web Portal Cambodia for a couple years as content collector.  What was the most interesting part of your job?  What are some lessons learned for providing local content for local people?
 
People need information. I was one of few others to carry out this work to help them.

6.   In the provinces, people can access Khmer language content via the CICs.  There are tremendous barriers - illiteracy, lack of electricity, etc — how do they get people into the CICS to read the content?  What has been the local response to the content you've developed?
 

I believe the Community Information Centres project, funded by the Asia Foundation, plays an integral part in connecting provincial people to information at this beginning stage. Government officials and
Non-Governmental Organization workers are the primary target. Students, monks, and ordinary people can be key players in further disseminating information to their villages. After the centres and the portal were
established, we launched a national promotion campaign to inform our  audiences. However, we do believe, great service and content will make people to help this further more. Of course, it is interesting when we
receive email from the center asking for information on how to cultivate productively.

7.   How are Khmer people trained to use computers in Cambodia?
 
Short training course are available from private schools and some Non-Governmental Organizations throughout Phnom Penh. A trainer with a manual can give an introduction of computer basic skills to as many trainees as it fit in a room. The very first thing to be familiar with computer is learn how to type, typing skill. Only some serious learners find books important to understand more.

8.   What is your biggest hope for the future of technology/Web/Internet in Cambodia and bridging the digital divide?
 
I do believe appropriate technology deployment will benefit poor and  rural people. Young people are quick learners. The skills will help them find job easily. In another point, it empowers Cambodia to be a
knowledge-based and democratic society.

9.   Finally, since you speak and type in English and Khmer - do you have any advice for me as I attempt to learn to improve my khmer and make it half as good as your English?

It takes some time to be familiar with it. However, it is difficult to learn it as quickly and easily as you first learn to type in English.  With courage, everyone can do it.

(In case you're wondering, the most famous blogger is Cambodia's ex-king)

Photo courtesy of Matt Reed, writer for the Cambodia Daily.  (Note:  Tharum tells me that this is his favorite casual shirt)

Cross-posted on Beth's Blog