The Spotlight is on... Ngam Kimhut!

From Devin Diver, a K7 ETTT Volunteer currently living in Koh Kong Province:
“Ngam Kimhut is one of our best friends in Cambodia. She is a 27 year old female who was born in Kampong Chnang province and currently resides away from her family, in Koh Kong. Here she works as an accountant at a local NGO called Morodok. That is how we got to know her.

In our village we have three foreigners living within a kilometer of each other. Two of us, Devin and Megan, are American Peace Corps volunteers, and the other is an Australian volunteer, Jenna. She works at Morodok. Jenna introduced us to Kim back in July 2014, right after Kim began her contract with Morodok, and we instantly became friends. We all get together almost every day to gossip, laugh at our inside jokes, go on long bike rides to the beach or the local swimming hole, or play sports.

Kim put herself through university in Svay Reing by volunteering at Aceleda bank, which eventually turned into a paying job. With her success she now helps support her family. In her free time Kim loves playing soccer, riding her bike, and reading [usually books about accounting].”

Kim, Jenna, Devin, and Megan in a traditional Khmer picture

Kim took some time to answer some questions for the GenEq Committee. Here is what we learned from her answers:
Kim is a role model for gender equality in general, especially for the younger females at Morodok. She encourages and helps the younger girls to learn and teaches them how to act appropriately at work. Kim credits “scholarship and studying hard” for helping her to get where she is today. She worked part time as a cashier at Aceleda bank, where she was originally a volunteer. She sees her family maybe every 6 months.

Kim believes that “lack of gender equality and poor education” are the biggest issues facing Cambodia today. She had this to say about women and higher education: "I think more boys go to school than girls, especially for university, because they always have a place to stay, they can stay at the pagoda for free... but women always have to stay, they cannot live at the pagoda".  Kim’s advice for the youth of Cambodia is to “always work hard and study hard because if you work hard, you will always reach a goal, and then maybe you can help other Cambodians and make the country stronger.”  One thing that Kim loves about Cambodia is “how friendly the people are and how everyone can come together to help each other."

What does Kim like to do in her free time? In her own words: "I like to listen to English music. I really like Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, and I like to play soccer and hang out with Devin, Megan, and Jenna! I like to read English books about accounting too."

Thank you Kim and Devin for taking the time to talk to us about gender equality!

Host Mom: Ma Seu

Hello world, meet the most amazing (pseudo) host mother in the land, Momma Seu!

I first met the Seu family as I was taking a leisurely bike ride near my site. I heard a woman screaming excitedly which was the first person who had been that happy to really get to know me. I saw her waving me over in that upside-down Khmer wave. I immediately swung my bike around and headed back to where they were sitting. I was greeted with the warmest smile and encouragement to “on-goy lang” (sit-play). Luckily for me, Ma’s youngest daughter, Hapisash spoke fluent English and was able to help me translate as I was still new to Cambodia, and my site. Hapisash and I became fast friends and continued to study and participate in projects together for the rest of her grade 12 year.

I have gone to visit this family at least every other day, if not every day, since I began my service. Every single day my pseudo host mom’s face brightens as I arrive. We sit and talk about Cambodia, America, projects I’m doing, and family. Sometimes we don’t talk at all, but just sit and enjoy the serenity of the moment. I have taught them how to make some American food too such as hamburgers, tacos, and my favorite, pumpkin spiced pancakes! I think the hamburgers are their favorite. Ma also never forgets to invite me to fun outings with the family such as going to the Kep Sea Festival or a Leo Beer Concert in Kampot town. One of my favorite memories was within the first weeks of meeting them and they dressed me up in a traditional Muslim outfit, hijab and all, and proceeded to take pictures of me!

One of the things I like most about this family is how much they spoil me! My pseudo mom is always giving me iced-lemon teas, coconuts, bread, or any sweet that’s lying around. Last June, the family built a Halal restaurant in front of their house and I now even get free breakfast whenever I want it! My Ma will never take compensation for all they have given and done for me, and insist that I am their “goan” (child) and I am loved just the same.

There is no way I would have been able to make it through my Peace Corps service without Ma and her family. They are my sunshine on a rainy day and continue to give me purpose for being here. She has taught me so much about Khmer and Muslim culture and accepted me for who I am. I feel so incredibly blessed to have known her and feel tears on the verge whenever I think about how I am going to have to leave her one day.


Post provided by K6 Hayley Knicely; Community Health Education Volunteer in Kampot Province

Host Mom: Kim Chantrea

Host Mama Kim Chantrea

Why I Love my Host Mom


When I first arrived at my site, I missed my training host family and didn’t want to adjust to another, different family. I got frustrated that my new host mom knocked on my door to offer me things I didn’t need, or to wake me up to ask if I was sleeping. I felt that she didn’t understand me like my last family.

So much time has passed since those first few weeks, and I am embarrassed at my initial feelings towards my host mom. I have come to see that she is the most caring, sweetest person I know, and that in the beginning of my time here, she was trying to make me comfortable even though she had no idea how. Both of us have come so far in our relationship, and we understand each other so much better now. She has done an amazing job at being flexible with me, learning each day a little more about me. We have worked the menu for dinner down to a science, and she only makes me food that I like. She is very perceptive- noticing when I avoid an ingredient in a dish. She will not put it in next time. She is receptive- when I tell her I don’t like something, she just accepts it with no questions. She is my biggest advocate in my community, and since she is a well-respected member of the community, people treat me well also. When I held a Girl’s Health event at the school, she took a whole stack of fliers and handed them out at the market. She occasionally brings me little treats from the market, which shows me she thinks about me even when I'm not with her.

She is the best host mom I could have asked for and definitely makes me feel at home.

Post provided by K6 Margaret Rusch; Community Health Education Volunteer in Kampong Chnang Province

Host mom: Ming Sun Chea

Host Mama Sun Chea

Meet my host mom, Ming Sun Chea!! I was lucky enough to live with this fireball of love and joy for the last ten months of my service but I was blessed to know her for my entire duration at site. Through less than ideal times with my first host family, Ming Sun Chea was always there for me, no matter what I needed.

She sold bobor in front of her house and everyday I stopped before work and ate a heaping bowl full, if not two. Not once did she ever ask or accept money. Whenever I would see her at the market she would buy fruit or bread or those weird pink slimy noms for me. She would put them in my hands and tell me to save them for when I was hungry. One night during the weekend she would have me over to eat dinner with her family. She would cook bowls of meat and so many vegetables! She made certain that we sat and ate until every last piece was gone. I napped in her hammock and celebrated holidays with her family. Everything was given to me without ever asking for compensation. And everything was always done with a loving smile and true compassion. She made me feel so welcomed, loved, and most importantly, wanted.

I was able to move into her house after three months with my first family. It was a new start to my time in Cambodia. She was always having a laugh, loved to pick on people, never let you wear a bra/pants after showering, generally a major goofball yet was always looking out for me. She not only made me happier but also refocused my mindset.

That night in October, when circumstances became out of our control, she was stronger than anyone. She held me as I cried. Held me tight with two arms. She had the entire neighborhood and police squad at our house before I even found my phone to call anybody. She was exactly what I needed.

She was the last person at my house that I hugged goodbye. When I speak with her now, I can still hear the love in her voice. I will never be able to thank Ming Sun Chea enough for what she did or the impact she has had on me. I am so proud and fortunate to call her my mom.

RPCV Amber and her host mama

If you’re ever traveling up road 5 and pass by my site, keep an eye out for her. She’ll be in the hammock, in an old Michigan State University t-shirt, drinking an ABC & I know she would love to share.

Post provided by K6 RPCV Amber Bytwerk; she was a Community Health Education Volunteer in Kampong Chnang Province

Host Mom: Vannary

Host Mama Vannary

My host mom Vannary is known as the respected assistant director at the local high school but to me she is a modern day superwoman.  She is an inspiration to me and I hope to many other girls and woman in Cambodia.  She works, has a family, and still has time to expand her education on the weekends, which is why she will be speaking on a career panel at a camp in March.  I want young adult Cambodians to see that it is possible to have it all, career, family, and education.  Her most important job is instilling this hunger for life in her four daughters and she does it quite well.

My host mom is literally my source of strength during my service.  She makes sure that I'm happy, healthy, always fed and worries about me just like I'm one of her own.  She loves me without reservations and that is more than a volunteer or anyone could ask for.  Although I look forward to the day where I return to the comforts of my homeland, I will be leaving a part of my heart here with her.  She will always be my Cambodian Momma!

Kind. Intelligent. Respected. Boss.

Post provided by K6 PCV Jennifer Reinert; she is a Community Health Education Volunteer in Pursat Province

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all

Today's story comes from Peace Corps volunteer, Samantha Weiss, who is an English teacher trainer in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia.

Read more about her Peace Corps experience at her blog "I hope this cambodes well"
Host sister and I; I'm only 5'5'' yet I look like a giant next to your average Khmer woman
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When I arrived in Cambodia, during training, we had many sessions that touched on “being a female volunteer” and its ramifications. Throughout my travels, specifically during my time studying abroad in Morocco, I have experienced a variety of cultures’ perceptions of women, foreign and native. In Morocco, I stood out a lot, even when wearing the traditional djellaba (long cloak with hood) and it was uncomfortable for me to say the least. I have continued to be acutely aware of the way my gender affects the way others treat me as soon as I set foot in my new home for two years. Although women have more visible freedom here than I experienced in Morocco, I still find a quieter and culturally engrained stifling of women in Cambodian culture. That being said, about a year into my service, the way I perceived men reacting to me, was not my biggest frustration I faced day to day. The biggest affront I faced had to do with the way other women reacted to my presence.

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”
– from cambodes.blogspot.com
published June 24, 2013

Most of us were taught this when we were young. We feel fairly safe entering the world every day without brutal honesty and judgment hitting us in the face. We do our best to project ourselves confidently through our actions, speech and appearance, and hope to receive mostly positive responses. Most of us desire critical feedback, but only when requested, in order to grow and make improvements. I was working on a post about the things in my current life that I have become accustomed to living in a foreign culture that would still sound rather strange to others, but I put those thoughts on hold to address one of my biggest challenges I still face living here. This is something that I have not been able to get used to as merely a cultural difference. It’s often on my mind and I believe my thoughts on the issue to be evolving the longer I am here.

I realized recently that I have become more self-conscious when it comes to my physical appearance than I remember being in the last 8 or so years of my life. This has become more dominant in the past month or so, whereas at the beginning of my time in Cambodia and at site the constant comments about appearance didn’t quite penetrate my subconscious. When I first arrived, entering the market meant comments on my pointy nose and white skin (highly desirable traits) were coming from every which way contributing to how sa-at (beautiful) I was considered. While this got tiring and I even complained about constantly hearing how beautiful I was, it never quite bothered me the way it does when I’m told I am toe-at (fat). Other than being a rather unfortunate sounding word in Khmer, the labeling and judgment I assume comes with this comment is troublesome. Here being called fat is not the same as if a stranger were to do so in America, but coming from American culture, it doesn’t hurt any less when this word is slung at me. At first, I would always explain that I’m just bigger than Khmer people and I’m normal sized in other cultures, but when you hear this word often enough, it makes you wonder. I should explain that it’s not meant as an insult here; people would prefer to not be so skinny but their childhood nourishment of mostly rice stunts their growth quite a bit. Another thing to note is one day you may be fat, but the next you could be skinny again. I even start to believe that it’s possible I visibly gained 5 pounds from one day to the next.

When people are constantly commenting on my appearance or clearly sizing me up with their eyes, my gaze turns inward more than ever. Comments like these have felt more noticeable as of late because the receiving line of housewives and yeays (grandmas) that keep my host sister company as she works have become more vocal. The front of my house is my host sister’s tailoring business. She sits at all hours of the day at her sewing machine working. The front of our house thus serves as a gathering point for women, babies, yeays and anyone else who’s looking for a place to gossip and ongui lang (sit-play). Anytime I exit the house, I am subject to their comments which used to be more asking where I was going and at this point are strictly regarding my appearance. This can get old quick and obviously kind of frustrating. My host sister is very understanding of difference and Western culture in a way that most Khmer people aren’t, so she is not one to launch these comments at me. However, this doesn’t lessen the onslaught from the others. Fellow PCVs and I have expressed concern that we will also lack the filter expected in American culture upon returning home and will blurt out blunt judgments as we have become accustomed to receiving here.

I started to think back on the last year before I moved to Cambodia and how my perception of my body image could have changed so drastically in this transition. Prior to this, my vanity was under my own control. I was never big into mirrors and didn’t spend too much time in front of them. I would spend 5-10 minutes getting ready every morning; I would dress myself without a mirror (maybe a bad choice), put up my hair and add some jewelry. I used clothing and jewelry to express myself and my individuality to my students, within the limits of business casual, who were my audience every day. I would spend the next 12ish hours focused on my work, my students, my lessons, my co-workers, coffee runs for a break/meetings, and daily tasks. My own appearance didn’t enter those 12 hours as I wouldn’t hear comments (aside from the occasional 7th grader pointing out a zit on your face) about my looks and my mind and body were completely consumed by my job. Besides, in American culture, friends and co-workers are expected to compliment rather than insult.

This weekend on a bike ride, I was listening to a TED talk titled “What is beauty?” where a model was giving her thoughts on the modeling industry’s standard of beauty. She remarked on how the public is unaware that models are in actuality the most insecure women on the planet. She said she feels insecure because she has to think about what she looks like everyday. This comment resonated with my current situation because I effectively have to put on armor before exiting my room each day in preparation for what someone might say about me. Their looks and opinions, whether or not they are founded in truth, are the reality of my life as a strange foreigner in a superficially homogenous culture. My difference draws attention and interest everywhere I go; I’m still trying to figure out how to accept that.

I just returned from some time away from my site spent in America, other areas of Cambodia, and Thailand traveling with my family. During that time I got some perspective on the way image is conceived of in Khmer culture. I learned to not take it all so personally, but it also reminded me of the reality of living in the Cambodian countryside. As many PCVs say, I may be the first and only foreigner some Cambodians I meet will encounter. When I can zoom out and see the larger context, I realize that it’s really not about me. I try every chance to use these comments as teaching moments, especially when it comes to the 40 young girls I work with at the nearby orphanage who are struggling with their own ideas of beauty.

Sam and her students at Camp GLOW
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By Samantha Weiss, K6 volunteer

The Spotlight is on...HAYLEY KNICELY!

Hayley paired up with another PCV, Amanda Arand to teach a health lesson at Camp GLOW in Kampot


Our blog has focused on Spotlighting exceptional Khmer people. Today we're switching things up and Spotlighting our first Peace Corps Volunteer!

Hi there, my name is Hayley Knicely and I am a K6 CHE volunteer. I am currently starting my second year as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia and am getting started with all sorts of fun projects. I live in Kampot Province not far from beautiful Kampot town. Currently, I work at the health center in the mornings 5 days a week. However, this previous school year I also taught health education classes to grade 12 students two days per week. In the afternoons, I fill my days with chores, reading, playing with my siblings, and planning secondary projects.

My current project is helping to develop the library at my school alongside students and faculty. We have already cleaned out the room, arranged the tables, chairs, and the librarian’s desk; and started painting some of the walls. This week we will begin drawing the mural for the library on the outside of the room and painting that as well. The only thing the library is lacking is books! Please help and make a donation so the students at Hun Sen Trosek Korng can expand their knowledge through reading!


To donate to Hayley's Library Development project CLICK THIS LINK!!!


Another secondary project that I am working on is a program called PD Hearth. This was originally set up in PC Mali, but has taken off here in Cambodia as well. Essentially, I have been meeting with two different villages, Phnom Doic and Tuk Graham, to discuss the need for young child and infant nutrition lessons. Initially, myself alongside the village chiefs and health volunteers weighed a sample of children in both villages and found that upwards of 30% of them were underweight. We then decided to apply for the grant and will eventually hold trainings and bor-bor (rice porridge) feeding sessions. Our hope is that the children who are currently underweight will gain weight and mothers will be educated on better ways to keep their children healthy.

What activities related to Gender Development are you involved in?
This past June my province-mates and I put on a Camp GLOW at our provincial town which is a camp designed to empower and educate girls on leadership, teamwork, and even some health lessons. I invited 11 young ladies from my grade 12 classes to spend the 3-day weekend with close to 50 other girls from around the province. Not only did they get to make new friends, but they also had the opportunity to prove to themselves and others, that they are strong and beautiful and can do whatever they set their minds to. One of my favorite moments was when we hosted a yoga session and the female Khmer instructor said:

“Most Khmer women are scared of exercising because they think if they get strong they will not be able to have children. I explained to these girls that I am a woman, I am strong, and I just gave birth to a healthy son 6 months ago.”

I feel like moments like this show women in Cambodia that they can do just as much, if not more, than men!


How did you get to where you are today?
I joined Peace Corps almost immediately after graduating from college at Elon University in North Carolina. I majored in Exercise Sport Science and triple-minored in Public Health, Sport and Event Management, and International Studies. During my senior year I kept tossing around ideas of going to grad school for Physical/Occupational Therapy, Public Health, or doing volunteer work. I eventually decided grad school can always wait, but an experience like the Peace Corps can’t. So here I am!


What kind of advice do you want to give the youth of Cambodia?
Never stop dreaming, creating, and working hard!


What is your favorite thing about your country?
My favorite thing about the USA would have to be the season: fall. I love when the air starts to get chilly and you can bundle up with hot tea and a good book. I also love anything and everything pumpkin! Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin carving, the list can go on!


Anything else? Weird hobbies or talents?
I used to play competitive table tennis with my dad and brother and would travel to different states to compete. I was in a step-dancing competition my sophomore year of college with the brothers of Sigma Phi Beta and we won first place!



Spotlight interview provided by Hayley Knicely - She's so nice! ;)

In The Land of Women

Today's story comes from Peace Corps volunteer, Kinsey Spears, who is currently teaching English in Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia.

Read more about her Peace Corps experience at her blog "Let the Wild Rumpus Start."
Kinsey Spears teaching during Pre-service training practicum
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Being a woman in Peace Corps has it’s own unique set of challenges in every country, but worldwide we face many of the same difficulties. Most female Peace Corps volunteers will experience some level of sexual harassment, and some level of discrimination. We will have to prove ourselves in ways that male volunteers won’t always have to. Explaining why we want to be here working, and not at home poppin’ out babes can be a daily occurrence. That’s not to say that men don’t have their unique set of problems, but I can’t speak for them. That’s not to say that I can speak for all women either.

Despite all these boundaries we have to overcome, we are granted something special, something exceptional. We get invited with open arms into the land of women. The land of women in a developing country is a magical place. Whether it’s behind the Hijabs, or in the kitchen while women while away, we get to be invited freely and without doubt or reserve. Men can break into these realms but it takes perseverance and trust.

We, as female peace corps volunteers, are swept away into this realm and we get to see something that is entirely different than what the public might perceive it to be. I get to go sit with the women who do my nails a few times a month and it’s like all men in the market disappear. They are no longer part of the conversation. These women and girls let down their barriers ingrained in them from patriarchy and discuss everything. From the simplest of conversations – which color will go the best with my white skin – to more difficult ones – the differences between marrying a western man versus a Khmer man and what it means for their future. These girls, that I have gotten to know over the past year, talk about things with me that would never be appropriate in front of a man.

Being able to see women open up in the private sphere is a treat. It allows you to see past the clearly defined gender roles of a country deeply steeped in patriarchy. Male volunteers can sit around with the yay’s (grandmothers) and mings (older women 40s-50s) and it can be completely natural and enjoyable, but they will still be treated as a male for the most part. They can develop meaningful and informative friendships with women their own age, but there will always be a gender divide.

However, as a foreign female, I am allowed a bit more lee-way in terms of interactions with men in my community. Most of the people I work with on a professional basis are males and it would not be overly frowned upon for me to sit down and have a beer with them. Many female volunteers do cross that gender divide and are glad to share a beer on a hot afternoon. I tend to err on the side of caution here, only drinking when the women around me partake or when I’m lost in an anonymous crowd of westerners. But, I could. Male counterparts are quick to ask me about politics or discuss which I like more Angkor or Anchor (types of beer).

This ability to float between the two worlds is why I love being a female Peace Corps volunteer. I get to talk politics with the men and discuss relationships with girls my age in my neighborhood. I get to take cooking lessons with my host mom and talk about campaigning with my host dad. I get to sit with the women from my school and talk about their children and why I don’t have any, and enjoy a beer with the men talking about the popularity of sports in America. But my favorite is being invited into the land of women.

Kinsey Spears with her host brother

By Kinsey Spears, K6 volunteer