1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Villageworks Cambodia is where you find Songkhem - a glimpse of hope for the starving poor. The souvenirs are the works of villagers. 'Songkhem' is the Khmer word for 'hope'.

Villageworks Songkhem brings a message that is entirely opposite to the Museum's. Situated just opposite the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, the souvenir shop is aptly named Villageworks Songkhem.

While the Museum speaks of terror, destruction and annihilation that occurred during the internal turmoil of Pol Pot Cambodia in the Nineteen Seventies, Villageworks Songkhem brings the rebirth of peace, integration and hope to the Khmer people.

While the Museum reeks of death, doom and hopelessness that engulfed Cambodia in the past during the Pol Pot regime, Villageworks Songkhem, however, sings of hope for a brighter future for all Cambodians.

As a non-government organization, Villageworks Songkhem is the social arm of hope supported by the Girls' Brigade, Singapore.

Beyond Imagination of Singapore promotes and markets its products in Singapore and beyond the shores of Asia. Profits generated by Beyond Imagination are ploughed back into Villageworks Songkhem and the community involvement projects of the Girls' Brigade in Cambodia such as English classes for the girls at the Life Plus Program and training of new artisans.

Villageworks Songkhem has its operations in the Baray region, where village women are trained in skills that generate income to supplement the family's income which is mainly through farming activities.

The majority of the works in Villageworks Songkhem center around cloth weaving and sewing. Silk and cotton cloth lovingly produced by the Baray workers is then sewn into scarves, bags, pouches, wallets, banners, table mats and runners as well as stationery sets.

In its repertoire of established gifts are affordable and lovingly carved key chains made from solid coconut husks and recycled wood, a continuous effort Villageworks Songkhem makes to show the world that natural resources can be saved and put to good use.

Key chains are also sewn out of scraps of materials left over from the sewing of bags and such, another effort Villageworks Songkhem makes to fully utilize resources.

The same items can be recycled as dcor for Christmas trees and other ornaments, simply by changing the key ring into a hook. Who does the stuffing for these unique key chains and decorations? Village folk do, in the lull of the farming seasons. They are paid by the piece and as such, there is no pressure

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Travel destinations: Villageworks Songkhem, Cambodia?
We want to hear your view. Write now!