orphanage in Batambong Photo

Photographer’s Note

Wat Norea Peaceful Children’s Home in Battambang it is an orphanage for AIDS children, it is the only pagoda in Cambodia known to have an AIDS orphan program.
The orphanage was established in 1992 by a Buddhist monk Venerable Muny Vansaveth - he alone was begging for food to feed first seven kids. The children are left orphans when their parents died of AIDS, and face the danger of being infected themselves and living very short lives.

Their grandparents were victims of war and genocide; their parents either grew up under foreign occupation or in refugee camps along the Thai border. And now, many Cambodian children have their own tragedy to deal with--the AIDS epidemic. (Michelle Vachon)

It is a rather poor orphanage, children don't even have proper clothes. They don't have proper beds, they sleep on mats on the floor. But children are happy, they is finally someone to take care of them, someone to give them education, to feed them. With the help of several organizations and private donations from people living abroad, Wat Norea Peaceful Children’s Home has cared for 358 children through the years.

...and it costs 15$ per day to feed the whole orphanage...

If you can help - please help. Muny Vansaveth can be contacted by email: munyvansaveth @ yahoo . com

rhizomes, mugush, zig, Ramy has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rhizomes (15325) 2006-02-01 13:07

Hi Marcin,
Very nice picture ! We have to remember our chance and to not forget people who have less...
Your picture give us a strong message !
Christophe

mugush (2088) 2006-02-01 13:48

Very sad story to read, i can read her face, full of sorrow, what a topic to present, i really appriciate your work,i can understand how sensitive artists are,,AIDS is silent killer, and we should help those people, I will try my level best to help those childern.
thanks for sharing
God Bless them
Love
mugush

lewiz (1293) 2006-02-01 14:37

Hi!

Very nice shot here... the composition is good but the sharpness is lacking. But the light... really wonderful.

Great catch.

zig (2450) 2006-02-06 8:02

Beautiful, calm shot, despite the sad background of the kid. Mmm, maybe I shouldnt have said it was a bautiful photo, it isnt the point here. Very touchy photo, and your note provide us much information about the country and its children. I have checked your pbase gallery, you uploaded many photos there. Actually it takes me time to browse through all the photos, am going to take some look in there slowly. Cheers，

CliffW (2310) 2006-02-20 9:39

You took a very nice photo of her that reflects her quiet personality. We met her last month and it is nice to see a good photo of her. I agree with you about the Children's Home and hope that everyone contacts Muny Vansaveth, who sat and spoke with us about the home, and can help if they are able.

nygus (8077) 2006-02-27 8:47

jakos dziwne ze przegapilem twoje zdjecia...

HIRAKZ (168) 2006-06-08 13:44

Babul,

Emotions are writ large on this placid face. I liked the way you photographed it. And the story made it all the more powerful a picture.
TFS
God Bless
Hirak

Ramy (771) 2007-03-21 8:41

Hello Marcin,
Your subject is placed perfectly with amazing framing from the leafs and surrounding environment. Even the textures on the door are part of this piece of art that you have created. A very well done to you! Regards.