Fashion show!

This winter, we'll be hosting Project Runway (Swat Edition)! Swarthmore students will have the chance to show off their creativity and design

1. an outfit made completely of 'trash'
2. an outfit made of reused clothing
3. an outfit of their own design, made from cloth

There will be snarky comments from judges, hot models, and a cappella groups! And best of all, there will be a chance for you to donate to our cause!

Tentatively scheduled for the evening of November 26th. Save the date!

Cambodia in the news...and it's not good

Some of the people who were behind an entire genocide 30 years ago have finally been brought to trial...and given a measly 19 year sentence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/world/asia/27cambodia.html?_r=1

He was in charge of Tuol Sleng prison. If you're ever in Cambodia, visit S21, see the torture chambers, instruments, and meticulously documented pictures...and then see if you feel 19 years is enough.

It's been 40 years...

...since the Kent State massacre. The Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed students at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The students were protesting America's invasion of Cambodia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_State_shootings

Monsters in Cambodia!!

Well, knitted ones.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/cambodians-knit-monsters-poverty.html

What a great idea!

As part of Cambodia Week 2010, non-violent activist George Lakey was kind enough to give a talk about his experiences in Cambodia during the 90s, giving nonviolence training. We had issues with the camera, so the last bit of the talk wasn't documented, but if you have questions, please feel free to email swatcambodia@gmail.com.

Finally!

Sorry it took so long for me to post about our trip, but here is a feature on the Swarthmore web page that is all about the trip. Let me know if you have any questions!

http://www.swarthmore.edu/x29349.xml

...annnnnd we're off!

Today, we begin the 26 hours of flying before finally arriving at Phnom Penh, Cambodia for our jam-packed spring break. Hopefully, there will be time for homework.

Thanks to everyone who made this first group trip possible!

Almost time to go!

Our flight leaves from the Philadelphia Airport on Friday, March 5, 8 AM. Finally, SwatCambodia is going to Cambodia! We'll have news, updates, and pictures from our travels after we come back to finish off the semester.

In the meantime, here is a fascinating article about one man who planted landmines in the past...but is now undoing that by teaching villagers how to safely disarm the landmines!

http://gimundo.com/news/article/aki-ra-former-khmer-rouge-soldier-disarms-landmines-by-hand/

Full Moon Party!

Well, we're heading off to Cambodia next Friday, and to celebrate, we're bringing a taste of Cambodia to the campus! Join us in Paces for a Full Moon Party, much like the Full Moon Parties that go on at the beaches of Cambodia, full of delicious fruity drinks, a hot atmosphere, colorful lights, and great music! We hope to see you there!

Friday, February 26
10PM-2AM
Paces

Speed Dating for the Homeless!

On Saturday, February 6th, SwatCambodia will be hosting Speed Dating in Upper Tarble! Come meet some fine young people, and practice your pickup lines:

1. I'm no Fred Flintstone, but I can make your bedrock.
2. I'm writing a paper on the finer things in life, and I was wondering if I could interview you?
3. I'm going to treat you like my homework: slam you on my desk and do you all night long.

8PM, Upper Tarble! Bring $3 to get in (proceeds go towards our housebuilding trip).

Join us for the Philadelphia area premiere of "To Speak"

The Tabitha Foundation and SwatCambodia will be screening the movie "To Speak" on Sunday, February 7th, from 3:30 PM - 6 PM at Cunniff Hall at Swarthmore College:



Based on a true story... Ratana is a 12-year-old Cambodian girl, living a precarious existence in an impoverished rural village. Despite the suffocating pessimism of her fellow villagers, she dreams of a better life, and of building a new and permanent home for her family.

However, a brighter future seems impossible, until a local development agency suggests a radical plan. The other villagers think that Ratana is crazy to trust the outsiders, but she seizes the opportunity and sets herself on a collision course with her family, the village and even Mother Nature herself.

To succeed, Ratana will need to rise above the grind of daily survival and also grapple with the terrible legacy of the Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields.

She will be pushed to the very limits of her strength and spirit - to the point where too much hope can crush you.

Join us for light refreshments 3:30 - 4:00, learn more about the people of Cambodia and how you can be part of the great work of Tabitha. The film screening will begin promptly at 4 pm.

Admission is free, tax deductible donations will be gratefully received by Tabitha USA. Cottage handcraft items will be available for purchase.

For more information on the movie and Tabitha please see www.tospeakmovie.com and www.tabitha-usa.com.

To RSVP, please go here: http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=IPZKLDOEJSRNOXYOGODA&inviteId=VSCJKTKNUUFPHJGGGKAW&showPreview=false&x=892867688

We hope to see you there!

We're going to Cambodia!

Great news, everyone! I've finally bought our tickets to Cambodia for this spring break. We're leaving on March 5, bright and early, and coming back late March 14. It's going to be an intensely packed trip, with lots to do, but entirely rewarding!

I can't wait!

Happy New Year!