Cambodian Program Manager Ushers New Wing at Health Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRY7Mm6xj7s

Lowell Health Center Opens New Wing

Bun Savleak, a patient, said she has been getting treatment here since 2004. (Photo: by Pin Sisovann)

Tuesday, 08 May 2012
Lowell, Massachusetts | Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer

“More than 90 percent of our staff volunteered and chipped in from their paychecks to raise funds.”

The Lowell Community Health Center is expanding. It opened a new section of its Metta Health Center last month and has plans for a larger expansion in a new building later this year. It’s a huge expansion for the health center, which serves many of Lowell’s Cambodian population.

Both efforts are part of an expansion effort aided by Pov Sonith, a program manager at the center, and volunteer contributions from staff members.

“Funds were not only raised from the Cambodian community, but also from other places,” Pov Sonith told VOA Khmer. “More than 90 percent of our staff volunteered and chipped in from their paychecks to raise funds.”

In Lowell, Plans for a $10 Million Pagoda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vWJrB3cdb4

In Lowell, Plans for a $10 Million Pagoda

Photo: by Pin Sisovann

Wednesday, 02 May 2012
Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer | Massachusetts, Lowell

“Cambodian Buddhists see that what we are going to build will become a heritage for the younger generation, as well as a shelter for aged grandfathers and grandmothers.”

A campaign in Lowell hopes to raise $10 million for a new pagoda in the city.

Fundraising officially began over the Cambodian New Year last month for Wat Khmer in Lowell, which would also act as a cultural and community center, organizers say.

Maya Men, a member of the fundraising committee, which counts 12 monks among its 162 members, said the hope is to raise $10 million in three to five years.

In the past, different factions have vied for control of the old pagoda, but Men said she belied the new project will unite the community.

In Lowell, Hopes ‘Cambodia Town’ Will Boost Business

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFAVD8mAbaI

Tuesday, 01 May 2012
Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer | Massachusetts, Lowell

“People of the Khmer community that we have in Lowell have contributed quite a bit over the last several decades.”

The city of Lowell, Mass., officially coronated Cambodia Town earlier this month. City officials hope the designation, which marks a section of the city where many Cambodian businesses are, will bring an improvement to people’s lives.

For residents like Chhun Vanndeth, a 23-year-old fishmonger at the city’s Ocean Garden Market, an improved economy would be welcome. He, like others here, says he thinks the designation could make a difference.

Khmer Town was inaugurated during the Cambodian New Year, and Chhun Vanndeth was busy preparing fish that would be cooked at the pagoda. He works at the market four days a week. When he can, he helps people move houses. He said he is saving for college.

Khmer M'chas Srok's Invitation to Mother's Day Celebration in Lowell, Massachusetts on 12 May 2012

http://www.box.com/s/1e2961b4c5a07302fab7

ភូមិខ្មែរ now officiated

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

កាលពីថ្ងៃ អាទិត្យ ទី ១៥ មេសា ឆ្នាំ ២០១២ កន្លងទៅនេះ ពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរ នៅទីក្រុងឡូវែល (Lowell), រដ្ឋ ម៉ាសាឈូសិត្ស៍ (Massachusetts) បានអញ្ជើញ ឯកឧត្តម អ៊ូ សុវណ្ណ អគ្គកុងស៊ុលកិត្តិយស ប្រចាំទីក្រុង Lowell និងជា សមាជិកគណបក្សប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា to officiate Cambodia Town in a ribbon cutting ceremony សម្ភោធ «ភូមិខ្មែរ» ។

Lowell Cambodia Town Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The following video is from the historic Lowell Cambodia Town Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that took place on April 15, 2012 at Clemente Park, Lowell, Massachusetts. The video was taken by Khmerican staff photographer Kenith Oun. (Copyright Khmerican 2012).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3G4u-NALF8

Cambodian Gov’t staunch critic Sam Rainsy visits Massachusetts, United States of America

April 8, 2012
Source: http://www.templenews.org/2012/04/08/cambodian-govt-staunch-critic-sam-rainsy-visits-massachusetts-united-states-of-america/

Cambodian Government’s staunch critic, Sam Rainsy, visits Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America

on APR 7, 2012

Invitation to meet Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy in Lowell on 07 April 2012

A New Year Reception for Hon. Sam Rainsy on Apr. 7, 2012 in Massachusetts: Invitation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QA267IeYFI

For additional information:  

http://www.templenews.org/2012/04/02/a-new-year-reception-for-hon-sam-rainsy-on-apr-7-2012-invites

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Invitation to a Public Meeting with Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy in Lowell, Massachusetts on 07 April 2012

Invitation to a Public Meeting with Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy in Lowell, Massachusetts on 06 April 2012

Lowell monks steadfast on controversial temple plans

Temple-steering-committee members met with Sun staff yesterday in Lowell. From left are Samkhann Kheoun, Sam Meas, Maya Men and Sambath Soum. SUN/David H. Brow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgasDeNxbJA

12/29/2011
By Jennifer Myers, jmyers@lowellsun.com
Lowell Sun (Lowell, Massachusetts, USA)

LOWELL -- The goal is to build a 20,000-square-foot Buddhist temple and Cambodian cultural and educational center on a 12-acre parcel in the city's Pawtucketville neighborhood -- the largest such complex on the East Coast.

It will take money. It will take time. It will take communication and compromise with a contingent of neighbors who, thus far, have stood in opposition to the Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks' project.

Yesterday morning, four members of the steering committee -- Samkhann Khoeun, Sam Meas, Maya Men and Sambath Soum -- met with Sun Editor James Campanini and a Sun reporter to discuss the project's purpose and challenges.

"The center we are planning to build will hold religious services and be a place where people from all faiths can come to meditate, receive formal religious teaching from monks and learn about Cambodian culture," said Meas.

Lowell Prepares For Its Own ‘Cambodia Town’

(second from the left) Dr. Kong Sengly the chairman of the volunteer committee and Gov.of Massachusetts Deval Patrick. (Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Kong Sengly)

Monday, 14 November 2011
Moryvan Ly | Washington, D.C

“We hope that Cambodian-Americans will participate more in American politics.”

After more than a year of preparations, organizers say they are prepared to create a new Cambodia Town, this one in Lowell, Mass.

The creation of area in Lowell dedicated to its more than 20,000 Cambodia residents should create jobs by attracting investors and tourists, said Kong Sengly, who is the chairman of the volunteer committee formed to create Cambodia Town.

“It will also highlight more about Khmer culture by building museums that will display Cambodian art, as well as the history of Cambodia and how Cambodian people lived in [refugee] camps when they first arrived here in Lowell,” he said. “So the next generations and the whole American community can see what their parents and grandparents went through.”

Second Cambodian-American Elected to Lowell City Council

Nuon Vesna became the second Cambodian-American to be elected to the city’s governing body on Nov. 8. (Photo: VOA Khmer)

Monday, 14 November 2011
Im Sothearith, VOA Khmer | Washington, DC

“We need inter-racial communication within the community, especially cooperation with city authorities to establish after-school programs for students.”

A Cambodian-American who ran on a platform of public safety, education and economic development has been elected to the city council of Lowell, Mass.

“We need inter-racial communication within the community, especially cooperation with city authorities to establish after-school programs for students,” said Nuon Vesna, who became the second Cambodian-American to be elected to the city’s governing body on Nov. 8.

Students need a variety of activities to partake in, he said, “rather than playing around in the streets and forming gangs to cause trouble in our community.”

In Lowell, the Memory of Terror and Its lessons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efkm-gVoi-o

Kickboxing on Display at Lowell Festival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMj3SmYHx80&NR=1

Tuesday, 06 September 2011
Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer | Lowell, Massachusetts

“I’m learning kickboxing so I can be strong.”

Cambodian kickboxing enthusiasts were on display at the recent Water Festival in Lowell, Mass.

The crowds were supportive of the exhibition match underdogs, cheering them even when they fell, and silent when one boxer made contact with another—a change from your typical match.

The exhibition was part of the annual Water Festival, which also included performances of traditional dance and music, as well as rap and hip hop.

At Lowell Festival, the Tastes of a New Generation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlsPBx5yirY

“I prefer traditional dance and music over hip hop,” said Hoeun Chhliv, a 52-year-old who fled Battambang province during the war and settled in the US in 1985. (Photo: by Pin Sisovann)

Friday, 26 August 2011
Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer | Lowell, Massachusetts

“I’m of the younger generation, so I grew up with all the rap and the hip hop.”

Thousands of people attended the 15th annual Southeast Asian Water Festival in Lowell, Mass., last weekend. They were treated to a wide variety of music, from traditional and folk to rap and hip hop. The music was as diverse as its fans, the divide indicative of two different generations of Cambodian-Americans.

“I prefer traditional dance and music over hip hop,” said Hoeun Chhliv, a 52-year-old who fled Battambang province during the war and settled in the US in 1985. “I’m not interested in rap. It’s music for the youth, or younger generation, only. I can only understand a few words of the rap lyrics. Rap uses curse words. It’s painful to the ear and painful to the eyes.”

But at this year’s festival, which also included a boat race and other ceremonies, a younger crowd emerged in favor of the new music, which requires less costuming and is more casual than older forms.

Yearly Water Festival in Lowell Continues to Grow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20SYkYXCbIM&feature=player_embedded

After the prayer, celebrants followed the monk to a nearby canal, to release floating bowls called “kantoung” meant to ward away evil spirits and bad luck. (Photo: by Pin Sisovann)

Thursday, 25 August 2011
Pin Sisovann, VOA Khmer | Lowell, Massachusetts

“I’ve seen the festivities continue to develop.”

The 15th annual Southeast Asian Water Festival got under way in Lowell, Mass., last weekend, with a monks’ blessing, prayers and a race of eight boat teams.

As it has in the past, the festival opened with blessings to chase away evil spirits, bad karma and ill luck, followed by traditional and rap music performances.

Some prayed for their health, safety and long life, while others wished for peace and the safety of Cambodian and US soldiers.

“Life is vulnerable and uncertain,” prayed venerable monk Ajahn Mang Kone, of the Buddhahavana pagoda in Lowell, which is home to a large Cambodian-American population. “So while we are still on our life path, we need to do good things, good deeds. I would now invite all of us to pray together for safety, peace and happiness.”