Khemara

Founded in 1991, Khemara is the first Cambodian non-governmental organization. Khemara's objectives are to create a mechanism for social and economic development for people at the local and national levels. They accomplish this by stimulating the revival of traditional Cambodian silk weaving and improving women's organizational and leadership skills. Khemara stimulates small business development and raises the communities' environmental awareness.

Khemara has established four programs to help fulfill their objectives. The Women in Business Program gives women access to credit and business training. The Community based Health Care Program helps post-traumatic stress victims of the Khmer Rouge and works to improve health care, water, and sanitation. The Training Program focuses on community development, and the Handicrafts Program provides assistance to sewing groups and weaving centers

Until the 1970s, Cambodia was the largest exporter of raw silk in Asia. During the last two decades, mulberry trees (the tree silkworms live on) have been cut and sold for export. In addition, many skilled weavers were killed during the Khmer Rouge. As a result, Cambodia's silk production has fallen dramatically, but Khemara is working to reverse this trend and make the skill of tending the silkworms highly regarded in Cambodia once again.

Silk weaving is a Cambodian tradition which is handed down from generation to generation. Most of the weaving is done by women, for whom it provides an important source of income after the rice harvest. Khemara has begun a rural project which focuses on planting Mulberry trees and reviving the tradition of breeding silkworms. The project also includes workshops on spinning the silk into thread and on traditional weaving techniques, including the complex ikat method of dyeing the threads before they are woven together. Khemara produces high quality silk crafts such as document cases, notebooks, shoulder bags, toiletry bags, scarves, and one of a kind wall hangings.

Khemara National Road #5 Russey Keo District, Mittapheap Village Phnom Penh 855/232.6205

Wat Than

Wat Than Skill Training Program in Phnom Penh, Cambodia was established in 1991 to service Cambodia's landmine disabled and victims of polio. There are 35,000 land mine disabled living in Phnom Penh and over 300 new victims each month. Students receive six months training in Tailoring, Carpentry, Typing, Literacy Training and English Language study. At the end of the training, participants share equally in the profits as well as receiving a kit of tools to become involved in all aspects of the running of the business. They sell their handicrafts through the Wat Than showroom. This work experience allows the disabled to experience the confidence and satisfaction that comes from being a valuable participant in a successful enterprise, one that manufactures and sells products for a profit. The Wat Than Skill Training Center is assisted by Maryknoll in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Action, Labor and Veterans Affairs.

Wat Than
c/o Maryknoll PO Box 632
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
855/17.813.249 phone
855/23.362.884 fax
email: Maryknoll@forum.org.Kh