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Please support Khmer Literacy Project in Surin, Thailand. |
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Written by Administrator
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Jan 22, 2008 at 10:46 AM |
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Welcome to Khmer Literacy Project in Surin province, Thailand.
My name is Chaimongkol (Chey Mongkol) and I am a founder of the Khmer Literacy Project in Surin province in Septeber 2006. In fact, I never thought that I would have taken up the task. I am a native of Kok Khan District of Srisaket, a neighboring provice of Surin province, just about 80 k.m. on the southern direction of the city. I grow up in a Khmer speaking family but it turns out only me that still speaking Khmer up until now.
Surin and the northern communities of Dong Raek hills knowns to the Khmer as the Khmer Sruin Khnong Phnom. We are relatives because we speak and having the same culture. Unfortunately, our Khmer family were torn apart into 3 biggest parts and that the painful history.
Back to 2006 when I have decided to take up the responsibility, I do not even know how to financing the project. I just want to teach Khmer and I admit that I am not qualified teacher at all. I spend a brief time with Royal University of Phnom Penh to study Khmer History but in 1997, I had to get back to Bangkok to work.
In Surin perhaps the only place in Thailand where you can get a feeling of being a Khmer. You have places name in Khmer although it is written in Thai such as Phum Thnay Trong (Noon village) and something like that. You can hear the accent familiar to the speakers of the Khmer in Siem Reap of Cambodia.
But, there is no Khmer Language school in Surin. It is strange but it is true. Many people I have talked with, also sharing the surprise. Years ago, Khmer language was not allowed to teach in shcool but now things are changed already. But, the only problem is there is no able or qualified teacher of the Khmer language at all in Surin. I do not claim to be one.
Most impressive are village schools in Phum Chruy and Phum Puun. Phum Chruy is remote village and it has no ancient Khmer shrine but Phum Punn |
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Last Updated ( Mar 23, 2008 at 02:28 PM )
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