Maryknoll

Wat Than Graduation

9 July 2002

Wat Than Skills Training Program for Polio and Landmine Disabled people is Maryknoll's original and longest running project in Cambodia. It has changed and grown over the years and is now a well-respected program that produces young men and women with disabilities with excellent skills in English, computers, and small business management. The course is 18-months long.
Tuesday, 9 July saw the graduation of another group of students ready to face the business world in Phnom Penh. These photos show different aspects of the graduation ceremony.

Buddhist monks bless the officials and ceremony
Buddhist monks open the ceremony with a ritual blessing. The guests of honor, including the Minister of Social Affairs, kneel before the monks. Buddhism is an important part of the national life and character. The graduation guests of honor
The guests of honor at the graduation: (l-r)A ministry official; Jim Noonan; Prak Chantha, Minister of Social Affairs; Regina Pellicore, Maryknoll's country representative; Kim Mom, Maryknoll's director of Wat Than.

Regina speaking to the graduates
Sister Regina, as Maryknoll's country representative, addressed the graduates about the importance of using the gift of education they have received. Presenting awards to the first terms graduates
The course is divided into two terms. Here those completing Computer 1 receive a book and document bag as an award.

H.E. Prak Chantha addresses the graduates
His Excellency Prak Chantha, the Minister of Social Affairs, addressed the graduates. A skit performed by the students
After the ceremony, the students presented a short skit, "Too much noise!", based on a Cambodian fable.

Students reciting a poem
Three of the students singing a song after the ceremony. Students being interviewed by a newspaper reporter
A reporter from the Cambodia Daily interviewed some of the graduates.

Neighborhood street children enjoying the show
Poor children living in the wat where the skills training program is based came to enjoy the free show.
The graduating class with their certificates, new confidence, and high hopes of future jobs with offices and NGOs in the Phnom Penh area.

Go to Cambodia main page
Go to Maryknoll Cambodia Ministries page
Go to Charlie Dittmeier's home page

Wat Than Skills Training Program for Polio and Landmine Disabled people is Maryknoll's original and longest running project in Cambodia. It has changed and grown over the years and is now a well-respected program that produces young men and women with disabilities with excellent skills in English, computers, and small business management. The course is 18-months long. Tuesday, 9 July saw the graduation of another group of students ready to face the business world in Phnom Penh. These photos show different aspects of the graduation ceremony.
Buddhist monks open the ceremony with a ritual blessing. The guests of honor, including the Minister of Social Affairs, kneel before the monks. Buddhism is an important part of the national life and character.	The guests of honor at the graduation: (l-r)A ministry official; Jim Noonan; Prak Chantha, Minister of Social Affairs; Regina Pellicore, Maryknoll's country representative; Kim Mom, Maryknoll's director of Wat Than.
Sister Regina, as Maryknoll's country representative, addressed the graduates about the importance of using the gift of education they have received.	The course is divided into two terms. Here those completing Computer 1 receive a book and document bag as an award.
His Excellency Prak Chantha, the Minister of Social Affairs, addressed the graduates.	After the ceremony, the students presented a short skit, "Too much noise!", based on a Cambodian fable.
Three of the students singing a song after the ceremony.	A reporter from the Cambodia Daily interviewed some of the graduates.
Poor children living in the wat where the skills training program is based came to enjoy the free show.	The graduating class with their certificates, new confidence, and high hopes of future jobs with offices and NGOs in the Phnom Penh area.