Visiting a Cham Community

November 8, 2016

I went to visit a Cham community in Kampong Chhnang province and spent a night there. It was very great memory and I wish to share this experience and inspiration to everyone. I was in work pressure and wished to escape and disappear from the city for a while. Work is challenged and spending more time with communities made me feel good about myself.

There are about 100 families living in this community along a red road. Women plays very important role in earning income and support the family. I came to visit a Cham women business, producing hand crafted products such as bags, wallets, scarves and shawls for women. Their working schedule is from 8 am to 12 PM and back 2 to 6 PM and if there is any demands from customers, they have to work overtime. The ladies have to get up early morning, go to market to buy food and cook breakfast for her parents, husband and children. At noon time, they have to go back home and cook lunch. Some ladies get supported from husband and parents to work in this business and some not. It is very hard for them to do inside and outside work at the same time. They actually speak Cham language and Khmer and there are only several of them could write and read Khmer language. 

Their lives have inspired me a lot. They keep working hard and fighting all struggles in life and comparing to me, I am always complaining and blame myself although I am doing a lot of better than them. 

It is sometimes good to take a break and spend time with communities. Therefore, you will see how important you are on this earth. 

 Marady doing translation 

By Marady

©2017