EU to provide Cambodia 40 mln USD for improving education

September 17, 2010
Xinhua

The European Union (EU) said Friday that it will provide 31 million euro (about 40 million U.S. dollars) for improving education sector in Cambodia.

The announcement was made at the forum on the safety use of land in primary schools in Phnom Penh.

Attending the forum included Im Sithy, minister of Education, Youth and Sports and Rafael Dochao Moreno, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia.

The 31 million euro assistance for improving education in Cambodia is expected to be implemented from 2011 through 2013.

Since 2006, the EU has provided assistance for the same project amounting to 26 million euro (about 34 million U.S. dollars).

Following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in October 1991, the European Union entered into a two-way dialogue with Cambodia on co-operation, which has since assisted the country in its efforts to tackle the challenges of emerging from years of war: rebuilding infrastructure and communications, increasing agricultural production to normal levels, relocating displaced persons, and clearing millions of land mines.

Between 1992 and 1999, some 262 million euro in assistance was provided to Cambodia from the budget of the EU via the European Commission.

On her own 2 feet [-Sithan Leam to return home to Cambodia]

Sithan Leam, right, thanked Shriners Hospital Nurse Care Coordinator Bonnie Paulsen yesterday for taking care of her during her recuperation from surgery at Shriners in the past year. The Cambodian girl bade farewell to her supporters at a party at Central Union Church in Makiki. (Photo: JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM)

Sithan Leam thanked donors who helped her receive treatment

By Craig Gima
cgima@starbulletin.com
Honolulu Star Bulletin (Hawaii, USA)

Dressed in blue jeans and standing on her own two feet, a Cambodian girl who came to Hawaii for surgery to allow her to walk said goodbye last night to supporters in the local Cambodian community.

In the benediction before the farewell dinner for 15-year-old Sithan Leam, the Rev. Larry Corbett, Central Union Church senior minister, noted, "Sometimes it takes a whole village of people to heal a child."

Star-Bulletin readers and Cambodian community members contributed thousands of dollars to pay for Sithan's travel to Hawaii for treatment and a fund that will help pay for her continued schooling in Cambodia.

Sithan suffered severe burns on her left leg as an infant, and her foot was fused to her thigh by scar tissue.

She hopped on her right leg, instead of walking, until doctors, nurses and therapists at Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu were able to separate the scar tissue and outfit her with a prosthetic leg.

She was able to walk for the first time a couple of months ago after undergoing several surgeries, skin grafts and physical therapy.

"It's kind of amazing to see her now as when I first met her at the airport in February," said Anthony Deth, who, along with the charity Medicorps, helped coordinate Sithan's stay in Hawaii.

At that time, Deth said Sithan weighed only about 80 pounds and appeared scared after her first plane trip. She ate only rice on the flight because everything else was too strange.

"Now look at her," he said. "She's smiling, and she's walking on her own two feet."

Sithan's treatment at Shriners is nearly complete. She will likely return to Cambodia next month.

"She's going to be missed very much, especially at Shriners," said nurse Bonnie Paulsen. "When I first met Sithan, she was absolutely frightened. Now she's totally come out of her shell. She's been an absolute inspiration."

Cambodian community member Patrick Keo said Sithan's story reminds him of his own struggles when he first immigrated to the United States.

"We connect with her. We identify with what she's gone through -- coming to a new country without knowing anybody or knowing the language, and how she misses her family," he said.

Sithan said she will miss Rinou Kong and Sary Phean, the couple that has taken care of her in Honolulu, but is looking forward to seeing her own family again in Cambodia.

She also thanked the doctors and nurses at Shriners for helping her.

Sithan's story is especially appropriate at this time of year, Corbett said. "To see a child's life change is always inspiring."