Good Work

In the Khmer Rouge genocide, Cambodians lost not just people, but important links to their culture. A local group finds creative ways to restore them.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Chantha uses an acetylene torch to cut a series of concentric rings from the large "vase" of copper.

The edges of the pieces will be polished smooth and intricate leaf motifs will be cut into the metal, following a familiar Khmer pattern found on Cambodia's greatest national treasure: the ancient temples of Angkor Wat.

When they are finished they will be electroplated and shined to become beautiful bracelets sold to tourists in the Rajana Association shop downstairs for about $25.

Making weapons into jewelry» View

While the skills used to make them are certainly impressive, it is the unrevealed structure beneath that transforms the bracelets from mere jewelry into stories.

In this case, the copper used for the bracelets was actually the outer jacket of a 155mm artillery shell — the remnants of war, unfortunately, that are as much a part of Cambodia's history as Angkor Wat.

What has happened here has a kind of genius to its simple beauty. Etching the patterns of the ancient past alters the figurative patterns of Cambodia's more recent and tragic past into something positive: skills and incomes for victims of genocidal conflict.

It is a kind of vertical integration of Cambodia's proudest and most tragic moments, resulting in something striking yet so infused with symbolism that its gravity should be palpable. Instead, it is flattering to the wearer and a small sign of resilience within a nation that suffered one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century.

The Rajana Association, a local nonprofit group, was launched with this idea in mind 11 years ago. The United Kingdom's Southeast Asian Outreach organization provided the seed money and the initial training to create a program that would teach the poorest of Cambodia's poor, both rural and urban, some of the skills reflecting the beauty of their own culture. Today the organization is completely run by Cambodians.

To many, the concept of preserving the culture seemed essential, since many Cambodian artisans were among the victims of the genocidal regime of Pol Pot and the

The genocide had more indirect consequences on cultural preservation as well.

Preserving Cambodian culture » View

"Many people seemed to lose their faith after the genocide," says Rajana's Phnom Penh Project Manager, Kieng Sabay. "They didn't believe in Buddhism anymore and some of the crafts and practices that are associated with the religion."

Rajana managers travel to rural villages around Cambodia, as well as urban centers, and offer young men and women a chance to learn saleable skills — skills that that will not only allow them to make a living, but have a multiplying effect by also creating income to support their extended families back home.

Many of these young people are like Chantha, orphans full of promise but with almost no economic opportunities.

"My mother died from illness when I was four years old," says Chantha, now 26. "My father died a few years later."

With no family or money, the best he could have hoped for was to become a farmer in his village. But Rajana offered him the chance to learn how to become a silversmith when he was 17 years old. Nine years later, he manages the training and work of a team of silversmiths at Rajana's Phnom Penh location.

His success has also fueled his ambition. For the last six months he's been teaching himself graphic design and says he hopes to become a Web site designer. He's already put some of that knowledge to work, designing a site for Rajana.

A dove statue made of AK-47s» View

Workers at Rajana can learn a variety of skills that are either part of Cambodian culture or reflect it in the products, including jewelry making, paper cards, silk painting and clothing and accessory design.

The workers are trained for three months and then must work for Rajana for at least three years before seeking other employment. Many choose to stay longer, working in a safe, comfortable environment in workshops above the store locations, earning fair wages averaging around $65 a month for new trainees.

And since the organization is nonprofit, any money that is made is reinvested back into the company to train new workers.

Rajana has grown from just a single shop in Phnom Penh to three locations total, with an outlet in Siem Reap (where Angkor Wat is located) and another in the beachfront community of Sihanoukville.

In addition to the products made by Rajana workers, the association also markets craft products from dozens of villages around Cambodia, encouraging continuation of their traditions and cultures while helping them to provide for themselves.

For information on the Rajana Association you can visit their Web site at www.rajanacrafts.org.

Email Story IM Story

RECOMMEND THIS STORY

Recommend It:

Not at All Somewhat Moderately Highly Very Highly

Average (Not Rated)

ALSO ON YAHOO!