Phnom Penh, Cambodia – EXPERIENCE
February 15 – March 1, 2013
Soak soabp buy chee uh tay? - Are you well and happy?
With these words of greeting, Cambodians will respond with a large smile. To the Cambodian people, speaking their native language is a sign of respect for the Cambodian culture and for the people themselves. Cambodia is best known for the Angkorian temple complex, and for the genocidal regime of the Khmer Rouge. Sharing a border with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia conjures up images of an ancient glorious past and a rich cultural heritage. Angkor Wat, built between the ninth and 13th centuries by Khmer kings, is a UN heritage site and one of the world’s most renowned ancient temple cities, drawing hordes of tourists from around the world.
Cambodia is an agricultural country; 80% of the population lives in small towns and villages. The people are burdened with the legacy of decades of conflict, and are still struggling to recover from more than 30 years of war and unrest, including that resulting from the Vietnam War and the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.
Maryknoll Lay Missioners, as well as members of the broader Maryknoll Community in Cambodia, will be our hosts on this exciting trip. Since 1989, the Maryknoll community has worked with Cambodians in ministries related to health care, social services and education.
Experiential Education:
The focus of the trip is meeting and making friends with Cambodians and learning about their culture, faith, and history. Cambodia is a Theravada Buddhist country with a 5% minority of mostly Cham Muslim people, as well as a small Christian minority. The experience will showcase the ministries of Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Cambodia.
What Will You Do?
- Get to know Maryknoll Lay Missioners at our ministry sites. Current projects include caring for children and adults with HIV/AIDS, education for the deaf, resettlement of displaced persons, anti-human trafficking initiatives, literacy programs for children and youth, building positive gender relationships, and higher education.
- Visit the Toul Sleng Genocidal Museum and the Choeung Eik Killing Field Memorial. Learn about the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
- Discover the temples at Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great archeological sites of the world.
- Enjoy events where traditional food, music and dances will be presented.
- Visit the Royal Palace.
- Participate in daily reflections on the work of the Maryknoll community and contemporary issues in Cambodia.
- Enjoy Liturgy, Wednesday evening meals and a complimentary sunset boat ride on the Mekong River with members of the Cambodia Mission Team.
Logistics and Costs
Prior to leaving, Friends Across Borders will provide an orientation which will include education about important cultural norms to follow during the trip. Our in-country guide will be Lindsay Doucette, current Maryknoll Lay Missioner. You will also be accompanied on the entire trip by two experienced MKLM guides, TBD, from the United States.
Deadline for Sign Ups:
December 14, 2012
Group Size:
Minimum: 10 Maximum: 15
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The total ground cost of last year trip was $1650 + $200 non-refundable (unless program is cancelled) registration fee per person (it will be adjusted, but probably the raise will be minimum). Program fees cover all lodging and meals, all transportation within the country (including national air travel), medical insurance with medical evacuation, English-Khmer speaking guides, cultural activities, and tourist fees. International airfare, taxes, and visa are not included.
Accommodations are based on double occupancy. If the participant prefers single accommodations, he/she must pay a single supplement fee. If the participant is traveling alone and wishes to share accommodations, we will assign him/her a roommate of the same gender. If there is no one with whom the participant can share, he/she is required to pay the single supplement fee.
Friends Across Borders will provide information on obtaining a visa and
immunizations, and will help you make the international flight arrangements.
For International travel arrangements we recomend you contact JOE TOSTO from TRAVEL NETWORK at travnet2000@aol.com, or call him at 914-962-5791. Joe Tosto is a travel agent who helps with Friends Across Borders trips. Joe will plan your itinerary from the international airport nearest you to Cambodia. He will try to set it up in a way that most of the participants travel together or arrive at the same time. If you have frequent flyer miles, he also can help with that. Participants are required to arrive in Phnom Penh on Saturday February
16 and leave on February 28, 2013.
To make a reservation, please Download an Application
Form, fill it out and send it to Friends Across Borders with a copy of your passport and your $200 deposit. Please make sure your passport is valid through August 2012!
We look forward to welcoming you to Cambodia!
