Women in the Material World

A follow-up to coauthor Peter Menzel's lauded Material World: A Global Family Portrait, Women in the Material World once again illuminates the human family--but this time with the focus on women. The result is an arresting collection of photographs, interviews, and anecdotes documenting the day-to-day lives and thoughts of women from 20 different countries. From Albania to India to the United States, we hear the female viewpoint on politics and religion, men and marriage, children and education. Cultural stereotypes are both supported (an Ethiopian mother explains why her daughter must be circumcised) and shattered (the loving equity of an Albanian marriage). The gorgeous accompanying photographs artfully link narrative text with faces and environs, from the rugged peaks of Bhutan to the Mediterranean beaches of Israel. What emerges is a captivating survey of women's lives in the late 20th century, and--even more--a powerful feeling of connectedness with these fellow human beings.

From Nowhere to Nee - A Novel

Read about the fictional novel Hayden Wills wrote while living in Bangkok in the 90's. "From Nowhere to Nee" is an innocent love story about a teenage boy lost between two cultures. He falls in love with a beautiful young Thai girl who is a victim of poverty and circumstance... You will fall in love with the characters and learn about Thai culture and life in "The Land of Smiles." All proceeds from the sale of this novel will go towards the support of the Cyntax Foundation.

Center for Children's Happiness - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Steung Meanchey Municipal Waste Dump is located in southern Phnom Penh, in a district of the city of the same name, Steung Meanchey. The dump itself covers about 100 acres. It is flanked by private property on which rubbish pickers build makeshift huts and are charged exhorbitant rents by landowners. Roughly 2,000 people, about 600 of which are children, live and work there.

It is nicknamed “Smoky Mountain” because of the miasma of smoke that the dump constantly gives off. It is literally on fire; the waste creates methane as it rots and the methane burns. In monsoon season and throughout much of the rest of the year, the surrounding area is swamped and the children live and play in fetid water.

Most of the rubbish pickers at Steung Meanchey are either from Phnom Penh or came to Phnom Penh looking for work and ended up in the slums. Many of the approximately 600 children have parents or relatives who also work on the dump and look after them. Some of them go to school, but most do not - at least not on a regular basis -, and it is safe to say that virtually none of them ever completes a primary school education. The school fees are too high and their families need them to collect rubbish to contribute to the family income. Adults earn, on average, 4000 to 5000 riels (US$1.00 to $1.25) a day; children earn on average about half that amount. A whole family working together can actually earn more money than they could in the rural village from which they originally came. (source: The Centre for Children's Happiness)

The Centre for Children's Happiness (CCH) was established and managed by Mr Mech Sokha, who himself is an orphan, the sole survivor in his family of the Khmer Rouge genocide of 1975 to 1979. He started the orphanage in October 2002 with help of a Japanese woman, Ms.Osanai Mieko, a President of Japan Team of Young Human Power (JHP) organization. It provides a home and education to 30 children - 12 girls and 18 boys. The children are either orphans or belong to parents who cannot take care of them due to illness or disability. All of the children previously worked as garbage pickers at the Steung Meanchey landfill in Phnom Penh. For more information, please refer to:

Mech Sokha, Director
Center for Children's Happiness
# 413, Street 371, Group 12, Trea village, Sangkat Steung Meanchey,
Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh City

Tel. 023-995023, 012-832330
E-mail: mechsokha@hotmail.com

New Baby at Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage

Duang Prateep Foundation - Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage

Ban Nam Khem, located about two hours north of Phuket, was the most severely affected village in Thailand on December 26, 2004. Out of 5,395 known fatalities in Thailand, 2,500 were residents of Ban Nam Khem, with only 49 out of 1,400 houses surviving without major damage. Within a few months of the 12/04 Asian Tsunami disaster, the Duang Prateep Foundation moved to recruit local staff in the community surrounding Baan Nam Khem, who were trained by DPF workers from Bangkok. Soon the locals were replacing the Bangkok based staff who had provided the initial assistance. Under Ms. Rotjana Phraesrithong's guidance, the local recruits have responded superbly to the many new challenges they have faced.

In the second half of 2006, DPF staff were able to move their program of activities from temporary tents to permanent community centres. The first building opened at Phru Teaw in August 2006, with another centre at Baan Nam Khem to follow later. At Phru Teaw over forty orphans are living in the DPF centre, with others living in houses close by. The buildings also provide a night care facility for working parents who do not want their children left alone at night.

In addition, the new buildings are centres for many community based activities. Local residents of all ages come to the DPF buildings to enjoy the toy library, to study music and dance, to learn craft skills and for other vocational training and income generation activities, to participate in youth groups, and to attend community meetings.

The relationships formed between people living near the Duang Prateep Foundation centre in Khlong Toei Slum, Bangkok, and the people living in the tsunami affected villages, will continue to be strengthened. In particular, young people in both areas will benefit from the opportunities to learn from and assist each other.

The Duang Prateep Foundation is committed to working with tsunami affected villagers over the long term. The new centres will provide the facilities needed to further build on the impressive start made in the months after the tsunami.

Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage
156/81 Moo 7 Tambon Bangnaisrj
Baan Ka Chard Road, Phru Teaw Village
Amphur Takuapa Phangnga 82110

For more information, contact Rotjana Phraesrithong at rotjanadpf@hotmail.com

Duang Prateep Foundation
34 Lock 6
Art Narong Road
Klong Toey Bangkok 10110 THAILAND
Tel: +66 (0)2 671 4045-8, 249 3553, 249 4880
Fax: +66 (0)2 249 5254, 249 9500
Web: www.dpf.or.th