Seng Rathanin's letter on the Khmer language education in Surin

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Appeal from Mr. Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri [Pls. Help Preserve Khmer Culture and Khmer Heritage in S'rin]

Dear Supporters of the Khmer Surin,

On behalf of the Association, I am seeking for your kind consideration to support to the Kandrum Group to perform in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from December 11-17, 2010. The plan is to promote and reach out to organization partnership in Phnom Penh for future cooperation. As planned, the group shall be performed at Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), and at the residence of vice president of Center for Khmer Studies (CKS) at Kien Svay, Krong Ta Khmao, and the Seminar of Ken and Kandrum at Royal University of Fine Arts. We also plan to meet with performing arts group like Krom Khmer Amarita and Apsara to discuss about the cooperation for the future.

I see that to make the Khmer Surin Association strong, we need support from brothers and sisters in Cambodia and I am hopeful that through this way, we can stand on our own ground. I also plan to invite Khmer traditional arts to perform in Surin in the festival held annually. I am hopeful that we will be received attention and understanding regarding our striving to protect and to promote the Khmer culture right here in the last stronghold of the Khmer civilization in the Khorat Plateau. If we lose Surin, and half of Srisaket then we will be a history.

Please kindly take my sincere thanks to your support after all the year. I take all the hand that help in my head and in my mind.

If you understand that what I have constructed is right
Then it is your duty to protect it.
Because men of wisdom say,
"Creator and Protectors equally share of the merit."
-King Jayavaraman VII's words of wisdom,
found at a stolen stone inscription at Srok Prasat, Khet Surin.

Sincerely,

cmk
--
"Rights in education also means the right to language"

Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri
សមាគមខ្មែរស្រិន្ទ្រ
Human Rights and Education in Indigenous Language Program
P.O.Box 27. Surin City, Thailand.
http://www.khmersurin.org
http://khmerabotra.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.co.th/khmersurin
Email: khmersurin@gmail.com
Phone 0875815514, 0830860076

Khmer S'rin artistic group (Kantreum songs and Chapey Dorng Veng) led by Mr. Chey Mongkol to perform in 15 US States starting January 2011

Khmer Surin students and their teacher, Dr. Chhany Sak-Humphry

Click here to read the announcement in Khmer

A group of Kandrum Folk Performers from Surin province to perfom in the US in January 2011 under the Cultural Exchange Program between Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP) and Supporting Khmer Surin Committee (SKSC), California, USA.

On October 25th, 2010, Mr. Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri, the President of the Language and Culture Association of Surin province (LCASP) has informed to the local media in Surin province that, LCASP will send 2 Kandrum singers—Mr.Daka and Ms.Montra, and 1 Chapey Singer—Mr.Jun Saengjun to perform in the 15 states of the United States of America under the cultural exchange program between Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP) and Supporting Khmer Surin Committee (SKSC). As planned the group will be returned to Thailand by the end of March, 2011, said Mr.Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri.

“We’ve decided to work with Darka, Montra and Mr.Jun Saengjun to perform in the US. Darka and Montra are younger Kandrum singers, and both are married. They are young, but they are determined and most of all they love their own Khmer language. While Mr. Jun Saengjan is the only Chapey singer left in Surin and Srisaket province. He is the most valuable because he is the only last Chapey left. He has decided to continue his careers as Chapey singer although the listeners are very few in number due to the difficulty of the Khmer language that he sings. The primary objective of the trip is to strengthening cultural ties between the Khmer in Surin, Thailand and the Khmer in the US and around the world, and secondly to open a rare opportunities for local folk performing artists to the internationally reorganization with support from LCASP,” so said Mr.Chaimongkol—the President of LCASP.

Currently Kandrum and other branches of Khmer language related performing arts and literature in Surin is in a state of decline due to a small in number of local audiences that means also limited number of audiences and market size, and the artists’ ability to write songs in Khmer language is very very limited, and it doesn’t reflect any cultural identity of the Khmer Surin, the indigenous people of Surin province. In addition, we don’t have enough able music producers that capable to produce the Kandrum music. LCASP is hopeful that with help from Khmer brothers and sisters in Cambodia, USA, Australia, France, and Canada, we can rescue the local art performers from a state of decline. We aims at younger generation because they have more free time, and they will be taught the Khmer language which doesn’t take long, and it’s easy for them to learn because they speak Khmer in their daily life already. Then, Darkar, Montra, and Mas Jun Saengjun will be traveling to Cambodia to study music about one month before heading towards the US in January.

Although, this is a first step with limited numbers of artists, but it is very crucial for the Khmer language artists, and we are hopeful to have artists to join for the next year. LCASP would also like to thank to Director of Surin’s Provincial Cultural Office for his kindly writing a letter of support to the US Embassy for visa application, said Mr.Chaimongkol—the President of LCASP.

News Source:

http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2010/10/khmer-srin-artistic-group-kantreum.html

Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP)

Office: House #9, Ban Khok Krapeu, Tambong Nok Muang, Amphoe

Muang Surin, Surin Province 32000

Phone : 0875815514

Email: cheymongkol@gmail.com

Khmer S'rin artistic group (Kantreum songs and Chapey Dorng Veng) led by Mr. Chey Mongkol to perform in 15 US States in January 2011

Click on the announcement in Khmer to zoom in

Thank you note from Mr. Bunthan Eang to Mr. Moeung Son regarding Khmer Surin issue

Bunthan Eang

Dear Mr. Son Moeung,

Thank you for your response. You already made decision to resign from your "Presidency", and has planned to return to France. The rain is over. Après la pluie, c'est le beau temps.

SKSC has a long term plan to support Mr. Cheymongkol and his associates for Teaching and Preserving Khmer Culture. It is just the beginning. We have a long way to go.

Regarding all expenses, all donors know how to follow up their donations. We are grateful to have Mr. Cheymongkol who has sacrificed to hold on his program from grass root.

SKSC believes that without financial support, it will be very difficult to keep the program alive. Therefore, patience, determination, and right approach are the steps toward progress and harmony.

I may let you know that I am a retired educator. I hope that SKSC, all supports inside and outside the country, and I can use combined experience to help Mr. Cheymongkol and his associates without making any bad reputation and disadvantage.

Sincerely yours,

Bunthan Eang

SKSC

(562) 200-8379

eangb@yahoo.com

www.apsarakhmer.org

----------------

M. Son Moeung,

Je vous remercie pour votre réponse. Vous avez déjà pris la décision de démissionner de votre «présidence», et a prévu de rentrer en France. La pluie est finie. Après la pluie, C'est beau le temps.

SKSC a un plan à long terme pour appuyer M. Cheymongkol et ses associés pour l'enseignement et la préservation de la culture khmère. Il n'est que le début. Nous avons un long chemin à parcourir.

En ce qui concerne toutes les dépenses, tous les donateurs savent comment le suivi de leurs dons. Nous sommes heureux d'avoir M. Cheymongkol qui a sacrifié à tenir sur son programme à partir de la base. SKSC estime que sans le soutien financier, il sera très difficile de maintenir le programme. Par conséquent, la patience, la détermination et la bonne approche sont les étapes vers le progrès et l'harmonie. .

Je peux vous dire que je suis un éducateur à la retraite. J'espère que SKSC et moi, nous pouvons utiliser l'expérience combinées à l'aide de M. Cheymongkol et ses collaborateurs sans faire de mauvaise réputation et le désavantage.

Veuillez agréer,

Bunthan Eang

SKSC

(562) 200-8379

eangb@yahoo.com

www.apsarakhmer.org

Supporting Khmer Surin Committee's Statement

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Do Not Break Up Khmer [Unity] - A statement by Mr. Chey Mongkol from Srin

The following is a statement issued by Mr. Chey Mongkol of the Srin [Surin] Language and Culture Association in Thailand explaining the reason why he refuses to join the alliance set up by Moeung Son, the president of the Khmer Civilization Foundation. The actions taken by Mr. Moeung Son's group led to an infinite delay in the funding provided by the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) to Khmer Srin associations. Furthermore, Mr. Moeung Son would like to establish his base in Wat Svay Pagoda, a center that Mr. Chey Mongkol's Association is already providing Khmer language teaching on a yearly basis. Mr. Chey Mongkol would rather see Mr. Moeng Son starting his activities in an area where Khmer language teaching is not available yet. While Mr. Chey Mongkol refuses to join Mr. Moeung Son's group, he clearly stated that he is not preventing the latter from performing its activities in Srin, however, Mr. Moeung Son must clearly understand the needs and the requirements faced by the local Khmer Srin people and he must not impose his outside views that could seriously affect the wellbeing of Khmer Srin.

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SKSC Statement

Call to Support Teaching Khmer Language and Perserving Khmer Culture in Surin Area (updated website)

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Support Teaching Khmer and
Preserving Khmer culture
in SURIN

I have the honor to kindly ask all to increase awareness and contribute information to everyone so that together we can strengthen capacity and improve our objectives in supporting Khmers Surin, Sisaket, Boriram, Ubon…...

Please visit our Website: www.apsarakhmer.org

Sincerely yours,

Buthan Eang
President of SKSC

Bonn Phka Fundraising to help teach Khmer language in Surin, Buriram, Sisaket, Ubol....

Click on the announcement in Khmer and English to zoom in

Bon Phka to support Khmer Surin - Plase support Khmer in Surin

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For more information, please visit the following:

1. Watch the videos made by an American teacher. Link to YouTube: Extreme Khmer Episode
2. On the web, by email or by phone:

• http://www.khmersurin.org
• http://khmerabotra.blogspot.com/
• http://picasaweb.google.co.th/khmersurin
• Email: khmersurin@gmail.com
• Mr. Cheymongkol phone numbers: 0875815514, 0830860076

Announcing "Supporting Khmer Surin Committee" - Please help Khmer Surin!

Mr. Cheymongkol (R) teaching Khmer language to Khmer Surin children

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For additional information:

• http://www.khmersurin.org
• http://khmerabotra.blogspot.com/
• http://picasaweb.google.co.th/khmersurin

Email: khmersurin@gmail.com

Bon Phka to help Khmer School in Surin, Thailand

Khmer school in Surin

Where:
Wat Buddharaingsey
124 Route Nationale
69330 Pusignan
France

When:
Sunday 27 June 2010

Contact:
04 72 39 29 58
09 53 09 13 90
04 76 21 16 20

Additional information:
Mr. Cheymongkol (khmersurin@gmail.com)

Khmer Surin need your help to preserve Khmer heritage

Click on the text in Khmer to zoom in

Khmer people living in Surin (Srin in Khmer) are trying to raise $1,000 to purchase a large size scanner (A3 size capable) to scan all Khmer documents hidden from the Siamese destruction in Khmer pagodas. For additional information on the project, please click on the following link:

http://www.KhmerSurin.org

or contact the following email: khmersurin@gmail.com
or call: 0875815514 (Thailand phone number)

Thank you!

A Khmer Surin Hero needs your help

Khmer Surin children learning to write in Khmer under the tutelage of Mongkol (Photo: Witta)

Mongkol and his children in his Khmer teaching classroom in Surin (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Friday, September 19, 2008

Dear Readers,

Khmerization received the following appeal from a fellow Khmer Surin, whom I think is more Khmer than some of us. He is doing it tough trying to teach Khmer language to our Khmer Surin children due to shortage of money and teachers. Above all, he is a scholar who is well-versed in Khmer and Thai history. If anyone has any doubt about Preah Vihear and the 1907 treaty, ask him.

The following is his appeal for financial help in his crusade to revive Khmer language in Surin. Please give a helping hand so that our Khmer Surin brothers and sisters can help keep their Khmer identity.Read more about Lok Kru Chey Mongkol crusade click here: Khmer Surin: Will They Survive The Language And Cultural Genocide?
-----------------------------
Dear Kmouy,

I am sending you a MAYDAY!! Now, we having a big problem with financial crisis. For months that I don't receive donaiton. Please send my cry for help to all Khmer who see my cause.

This is a new front line for the Khmer people. If I lost in Surin, history of the Khmer Surin will be completely wiped out. Now, Thai government's Mahidol University has started up Khmer program for Khmer Surin but they use Thai scripts written Khmer words. My program is a rival program for them. They don't like me because I have often attacked them whenever we go out for a conference.

Please send this message to all Khmer people that I need their help at Surin Front Line. This is gonna be a long long uphill battle.

Sincerely,
Mongkol

Chaimongkol Chalermsukjitsri
President
Language and Culture Association of Surin Province (LCASP)
P.O.Box 27, Surin, Thailand.
Fixed Line: 044-520-179
HP 0875815514

http://www.khmersurin.org
email: khmersurin@gmail.com