Women's Resource Center

Overview

noreply@blogger.com (dunav) — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 18:01:00 +0000

WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES

HEALTH EDUCATION

Reproductive Health, Pregnancy and Child Birth

The wish of every woman is to have a healthy, normal, reproductive life which can lead to having a full term pregnancy, and giving birth to a healthy, normal birth-weight baby. This group addresses all aspects of reproductive health, conception, pregnancy and childbirth.

To have a normal, full term pregnancy and deliver a full term health infant, women will learn about good nutrition, good hygiene and how to care for themselves to insure healthy pregnancies.

For those women who are not pregnant, this group will provide an opportunity to learn about the health issues that impact their reproductive systems and futuure pregnancies.

Maternal Health and Infant Care

The focus of this group is on the mother’s care of herself and her infant. Topics of the group will include infant and early childhood development and the identification of problems that may arise, especially during an infants first few months of life. The group will discuss both the mother and infants nutrition, disease prevention and immunization.

Participants in both health education groups will have the opportunity of talking privately with the nurse educator to receive individual counseling and/or referrals for additional care.

When referrals are made women will be given assistance in accessing the care and services they may need.

MENTAL HEALTH

PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

Well Being and Happy Mind

Meditation, Art therapy, rituals, story telling, individual and group counseling are included in this psychotherapy program. The group is designed to help women gain understanding and coping skills for the improvement feelings which may be the result of sadness, trauma, grief and loss.

EDUCATION SERVICES

CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH

This group focuses on learning to speak informal, conversational English. Helping women gain expertise in using English assists in making more job opportunities available to them.

Work Seminars

A series of seminars are presented covering different career opportunities and the education or skills training required. These seminars provide information needed for job/employment readiness, and for those who are ready to manage or own their own businesses. Volunteer experts are invited to present the seminars and also answer the questions of participants.

Photo: Judy Larkin

OUTREACH, REFERRALS AND COMMUNITY COOPERATION

Many organizations provide services which are supported by the government, non-profits, businesses and individuals. WRC continually reaches out to these groups seeking to form linkages and develop methods of collaboration and cooperation.

THE ADVISORY GROUP

Cambodian women, chosen from their participation in WRC programs, will be empowered through their role as advisors to the WRC Board of Directors. They will review the program on a regular basis and make suggestions to the board and staff that will help to improve the program.

SUMMARY

These brief program descriptions reflect the concerns of Khmer women and show an interconnection between good prenatal care, normal infant/child development, good health practices and disease prevention.

Stress, often experienced by mothers is duscussed in the psychosocial group which also address the problems of depression outlined above. The name of this group is Healthy Mind, Happy Heart.

The education groups and seminars will help women increase their knowledge, literacy and skills which can lead to better jobs and employment opportunities. It will also assist those women who want to start their own businesses or improve the ones already begun.

Founder

noreply@blogger.com (dunav) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 18:23:00 +0000

Jon Morgan is the founder of The Lake Clinic Cambodia.

From 1998 to 2007, Jon was the first executive director of the Angkor Hospital for Children, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. AHC opened its doors on January 14, 1999 and has become an outstanding example of affordable, sustainable healthcare provision in the developing world. Today, AHC treats over 100,000 patients annually.

Jon first came to Cambodia in 1994, when he co-founded a local, Cambodian NGO providing development aid to people in the provinces of Siem Reap, Takeo, and Kompot. In 1998, the NGO was handed over to the local people to manage and Jon was able to join the Japanese photographer, Kenro Izu, in the founding of AHC.

After eight years running AHC, Jon has stepped down to found the Lake Clinic; he believes it is time to build on the enormous success of AHC by taking basic healthcare to some of the poorest and most deprived Cambodians – the people of the Tonle Sap Lake.

Board of Directors

Contact

noreply@blogger.com (dunav) — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 18:20:00 +0000

TO CONTACT US

If you would like to know more about the Women's Resource Center, please contact us at: info@angkorwomen.org

TO MAKE DONATIONS

For those in the United States who do not require a tax receipt and for others anywhere in the world, you may contribute to the Women's Resource Center by sending a wire transfer to the WRC bank account.

ACLEDA Bank Plc.
#61 Preah Monivong Blvd. Sangkat Srah Chork,
Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
FAX: 855-23-430 555

Name of account:

WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
Account No: 0100-10-386697-1-7
SWIFT code: ACLBKHPP

(The Women's Resource Center is located in Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia)

Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Jon F. Morgan, MPH) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:45:00 +0000

THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER

These Khmer women are the future of Cambodia. The woman standing in front of the ancient temple, Angkor Wat, has both strength and endurance etched in her face. She is the woman, who through genocide and civil war, lost many family members and friends. These years of war left Cambodia devastated. Few trained professionals remained alive and now the government is being rebuilt. Among the many problems are inadequate health care and the need for increased educational and economic opportunities. addressed. The woman above on the right has a face of hope and expectation. Both of these women and the others like them on this web site are the future leaders, the women who will determine so much of their countries future.

The City of Siem Reap faces a problem familiar in the developing world. The poor from the countryside are lured here by the hopes of a better life. But, when they arrive they find employment only at the lowest levels as housekeepers, massage girls, as construction workers, earning very little money. In their villages they had support from family and community. In the city many women have no such support. There is no one to turn, and no one to guide them in making decisions that will create a better future.

At the same time, there are women working and living in the city with better jobs but they also are in need of health education, mental health assistance, and opportunities to improve their language skills. Some of these women will be able, with additional support from the Women’s Resource Center, to go on to further their education or they already may have begun climbing their ladder of improved economic opportunity. Still, navigating an increasingly complex number of services is difficult, and they need support. These women need this help for themselves but also for their families, for whom they may be the primary care givers.

Additionally, depression among Khmer women is very prevalent. Post partum depression, depression caused by physical and emotional abuse and from long term suffering from trauma and grief. Women from every economic level suffer and there is very little help available.

The Women’s Resource Center can assist all of these women, either through direct service or by a well developed and researched referral system that helps them get the information, education and care they need. It is be a place where women can come and have an opportunity to discuss their feelings in groups and individually with counselors. Through the development of a network of professional referrals WRC can assist women in receiving additional help through other organizations and/or individuals .

An important part of the WRC assures that planning, organization and operation of services is be carried out by Cambodian women. They direct the program, deliver services, are responsible for planning and program recommendations and continually evaluate the effectiveness of the program in fulfilling its mission.

The governing Board of Directors, all women and the majority Khmer, further empower women as decision makers. And, an advisory group of Khmer women, who are selected from their participation in programs, will make suggestions concerning the programs. Through this participation as board members and advisors leadership skills are developed so that women may increase their participation i nthe rebuilding and strengthening of their country.

Judy Larkin
Founder 2008

Links

noreply@blogger.com (Tobias) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:46:00 +0000

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

About Us

noreply@blogger.com (bgnova) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:05:00 +0000

WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER

The Royal Kingdom of Cambodia, Department of the Interior, has granted approval of the WRC as a local non-governmental organization (LNGO). This approval was received on May 14, 2008. At this time we began selecting our staff. Prior to our approval we were fortunate in having volunteers help to get our program started.

The Board of Directors has been selected and their accomplishments are briefly outlined below.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ket, Noeun is currently the Provincial Coordinator for the Cambodian Women's Crisis Center. Following the Khmer Rouge period, she was involved in trauma relief efforts with the Komai Women's Association, focusing on the empowerment of women by providing social services for women and girls. It is her belief that all women have a right to safe, peaceful and financially stable lives.

Through her efforts, and in cooperation with UNFPA, the Crisis Center offers start up capital to enable women leaving the Center to start small businesses leading to financial independence.

Judy Larkin, MSW, LCSW, is the Founder of WRC. A recent member of the Adjunct faculty at the VCU School of Social work she twice volunteered at the Angkor Hospital for Children. In New York City, following the attacks on the World Trade Center she worked as a counselor and coordinator of trauma services.

A licensed therapist, Judy was the Director of Clinical Social Work Services at a hospice, and also worked with at-risk youth and their families. Prior to her work as a clinician, she was a community planner working in Harlem, NY, with American Indians in Arizona and with migrant workers. As a consultant to local, state and federal governments she helped draft legislation for substance abuse, rape, fair housing, communityhealth, and mental health programs.

Michelle Morin is the General Manager of La Noria Hotel and Restaurant. Surpassing her role as hotel manager, Michelle dedicates personal time and effort to her Cambodian staff. On their behalf, she arranges training and educational opportunities for their development.

Prior to her work in Cambodia, Michelle founded a small consulting firm in Canada. For nine years she worked with corporate, government, NGOs and youth groups, emphasizing the development of staff potential, a passion she has brought with her to Cambodia.

Prak, Manila is currently Nursing Education Coordinator at the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap. She has been employed at the hospital in various nursing roles since 1999.

A nurse mid-wife, Manila is particularly interested in health education for women in all areas of their lives, especially prenatal, birth and infant care. She is also very concerned and interested in the mental health and well being of the women and mother's she sees through her work at the hospital. Manila is married and the mother of a teen-age daughter.

(Picture) Juanita Rice is a Presiding Domestic Trial Judge in Denver, Colorado, USA. Her long professional career has focused on all topics affecting women, children and families, especially domestic relations cases involving children and domestic violence. She has a deep commitment to justice and the empowerment of women.

From 1995-1997 she trained and consulted with the Cambodian Court Training Project (funded by USAID) as a Senior Legal Advisor. Her professional career has long been concerned with human rights issues, and in Cambodia her work focused on Cambodian laws and customs, international treaties and covenants. She also worked closely with he Ministry of Justice and NGOs working for legal reform and systemic change.

Since her work in Cambodia she has returned many times. Now that she is planning to retire from her judicial duties in early 2009 she and her husband will move to Cambodia to live.

Bouny Te was born in Cambodia and lived her first few years in the refugee camps along the Thai border. The, after moving to Canada, she attended school and was graducated from the Simon Fraser University, specializing in Early Childhood Education. Upon Graduation, she returned to Cambodia volunteering at the Angkor Hospital for Children as a translator. Later she joined the Cambodia Orphan Save Organization.

Currently, Bouny is Project Ccordinanor for the NGO, Human Translation, an agency focused on building local capacity. In the fututre she hopes to work to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of children.

Thy, Engneang works as an assistant at a hotel while she completes her university studies. She is in the Business School of Build Bright University and plans to be employed as an accountant when her studies are completed. At the hotel she works at the reception desk, handling reservations and helping guests plan their itineraries and helping assist with their many requests and assorted problems.

Dary, Vanna was born in Kampong Charm Province and attended the Kampong Charm Regional Nursing School. For six years she worked at the Angkor Hospital for Children as a nurse. In 2007 she was recruited for the position of Executive Secretary. Dary, concerned with the welfare of mothers and children, is also interested in the administration of health services.She is married and the mother of two children, a four year old boy and two month old baby girl.

Visal Maray (Mom) is an administrative office manager at the Angkor Hospital for Children. Mom is married and has a baby boy named Ros Manit.

Ouk Mon, Sohpeap is the latest board member to join our group. She is an accountant and office manager at a local NGO and she has volunteered to help WRC as our accountant. Previously, Sopheap was responsible for the translation of documents and the lengthy and complicated submission requirements for our NGO, and she is dedicated to helping women be empowered through our program.

ADVISOR

Mary Katherine O'Connor is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University where she teaches in the MSW and Ph.D. programs. She received her M.S.W. and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. Prior to entering academics, Dr. O'Connor was a member of the Peace Corps, working in community organizing and public health education As a Fulbright scholar in Brazil she conducted research with street children, and helped to develop a masters program in social work.

Dr. O'Connor has written numerous book chapters and journal articles with a particular focus on child welfare issues, social justice, research methods, and collaborative or alternative models of organization practice. She has just completed a research project funded by the Pew Charitable Trust investigating best practices of organizations serving the urban poor.

OUR THANKS

Michael Owen is a principal and co-founder of Baystrategy, LLC a management consulting firm based in Los Angeles.

Michael is sponsoring this web site for the Women's Resource Center. We appreciate this support which makes it possible for us to reach people who are interested in our work. Many have already visited the site and, in the future, more will do so because of Michael's interest and generosity.

We also thank Tobias Rose-Stockwell for his design of this web-site. Tobias is the director of Human Translation, an NGO bringing services to villages in Cambodia.

Donations

noreply@blogger.com (dunav) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:12:00 +0000

If you would like to donate money to the Women's Center, you may do so by mailing a check to:

Human Translation, Inc
1241 Adams Street, Suite 1096
Saint Helena, CA 94574
U.S.A.

Please make your check payable to:
"TLC at Human Translation"*

*Donations made via Human Translation are tax deductible for citizens and residents of the United States.

Advisor

noreply@blogger.com (Judy Larkin) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:13:00 +0000

Mary Katherine O'Connor

Biographical Sketch

Mary Katherine O'Connor is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University where she teaches in the MSW and Ph.D. programs. She received her M.S.W. and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. Prior to entering academics, Dr. O'Connor was a member of the Peace Corps, working in community organizing and public health education for seven years and had extensive direct and administrative practice experience in child welfare both in State government and the non-profit sector.

As a Fulbright scholar in Brazil she conducted research with street children, and helped to develop a masters program in social work.

As of 1998, name change from Rodwell to O'Connor

A Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Jon F. Morgan, MPH) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 02:46:00 +0000

My journey through photographs and all the women I have met along the way.

Each photograph on this web site depicts part of the Women’s Resource Center program, and each convey part of my personal journey; including friendships with many of the women on these pages.

The photograph on the “Mission” page captures the beauty and essence of Khmer women. Standing in front of the Ancient Temple this picture suggests to me the continuity between the long and complex history of this land, and the women who survive and sustain it. And, looking closely, there is light at the end of the tunnel and I imagine women are standing there, just out of view, ready to become tomorrow’s leaders. This is why I am here and why I started the development of a program of health and education for women.

When I first arrived I stayed at the La Noria guest house - my “home away from home” when I am pampered by staff whenever I am there. My first encounters with Khmer women took place here, and on one unforgettable afternoon, a Christmas Day, after I returned from work, I found my bed strewn with flowers put there by one of the women who fixed my room each day. I also talked, as I usually did, with a beautiful young woman whose picture you see at the left. She has recently had a baby boy and she has shared her family with me.

As I ventured from La Noria, camera always ready, I met and spoke with many women. One young woman, leaning to make krama's, beautiful Khmer scarves, sold me the one in this picture. She is learning to weave because she loves weaving but also because one day she hopes to have her own business.

(picture of young woman weaving)

It was not long before I developed a love of Khmer food and for the women who cook for their families, in the Psar Chas (the Old Market) and on push carts. On the carts they may roast small bananas and sell them on a skewer, or cook you a breakfast of delicious waffles, even making fried eggs and omelets, and roasted potatoes are so good.

In the big markets and in small stands there is an abundance of delicious fruit; mangos, coconut, papaya and many others whose names I am still learning. And there are wonderful herbs. One of my favorite greens is morning glory, mixed with other vegetables, herbs and rice it makes a delicious meal.

(picture of woman making family dinner)

Each day as I walk to work, or just wander around, I am surprised at the enterprise of some women and their children and grandchildren. Pictured below are three generations of women. They know me now and the young child waves and shouts "Hello" whenever she sees me, proud of her knowledge of this English word. In this picture the family is grinding fruit for a cooling drink (a chest of ice is just out of sight).

(picture of three generations)

When I stop to take pictures, most women want to smile, even when I try to catch them while they work. But there are some who have come to know me and they have begun to share some of their stories. Through these conversations, using very limited English or no spoken word, their faces tell stories of concern and unhappiness. This has been particularly true of the mothers who are holding newborns or are ill, with other ill children hanging on to their long skirts, as children do everywhere. I have not taken their pirtures, but they are the ones who made me think first of a program that would help ease their sadness, their depression, their fears.

The drawing of mandalas is part of our art therapy/psychosocial program. This picture, drawn by a young Khmer woman, looks forward to her marriage and she dreams of the home she hopes to have one day. You may also notice the hammock under the trees, this most ubiquitous of all Khmer possessions. However, when talking about her picture she became sad, because she did not ever think she would have such a happy life. These mandala drawings, even the happy one above, are a way for hidden feelings and thoughts to emerge.

Through the months that I have been here, and for one whole year, I have had many "conversations" with Khmer women, their thoughts translated for me. Each woman has expressed and eagerness to learn to speak English. The tourist industry is growing every day but even the most low level jobs require women to speak to foreigners. So, when a group of girls, working in a massage parlor, expressed a desire to learn English, I worked with a young Khmer woman to provide informal English glasses. Below is a picture of these young women at one of our group sessions.

(picture of massage parlor girls)

Skills training is another important part of the life of Khmer women. All women, even small girls work. If they are very young they may stay at home and care for still younger siblins, helping a grandmother when their own mother is away working. One very enterprising young woman close a shady spot near a hotel and made lovely flower arrangements. Someday she would like to have a real business, using her skills to offer her flower arrangeing skills to hotels and restaurants. In the picture below she is at work in the park, where I stopped for a while and watched her busy fingers turn lotus blossoms into different and beautiful shapes.

(picture of woman in the park)

My journey here is not over. The Women's Resource Center is a reality. Staff has been hired, and a board of directors selected and programs underway. Working together and builidng this organization will take hard work and many skills, but here are members of the board at the first Board of Directors meeting.

(picture of the Board of Directors)

These women have seldom had a forum for discussion of their ideas. This experience is helping them develop the skills necessary for making their voices heard as decision makers. Perhaps some of them will be leaders of the future, standing in the light at the end of the tunnel found behind the Khmer woman in the first picture of my journey.

My journey will continue but the first few chapters have been written and photographed.

The Royal Government of Cambodia, Ministry of the Interior, has approved the WRC as a legal Non-Profit, Local Non-Governmental Organization. Our program is moving forward, sharing space in The Sam Veasna Center for Wild Birds, beautiful place within walking distance of Siem Reap Town.

(picture of the Sam Veasna Center)

Judy Larkin:

August, 2008