Meet Reaksa!

Reaksa is a high school student in Siem Reap province.
Interviewed by Peace Corps Volunteer Andy

Reaksa is 19 years old. She is a student in 12th grade at a high school in Siem Reap province. Her father is farmer and her mother is a housewife. Her two younger brothers are students in junior high school. She also has a younger brother and younger sister who are both studying in primary school. 

Which Khmer Holiday is your favorite?

My favorite holiday is Pchum Ben day because I can go to the village where I was born and meet my grandparents and my parents and a lot of my relatives that are there too. 

Which Khmer dish is your favorite?

Khmer curry pork and also chicken.

What would you like Americans to know about Cambodia?

I would like Americans to know about our traditional clothes and food.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time I like to read books and short stories in English. There are a lot of short stories in the library. I like to listen to English songs and Khmer songs. 

What do you like the most about Cambodia?

I like the smiles on people. The people are kind. They are friendly. There are a lot of traditions like dancing, singing songs, and speaking with Khmer people.  

Meet Chandeng!

Chandeng is a high school student in Siem Reap province.
Interviewed by Peace Corps Volunteer Andy

Chandeng is 19 years old. She is a high school student in Siem Reap province. Her mother is a farmer and her father is a soldier. Her younger sister is a high school student as well and her younger brother is a primary school student.

Which Khmer Holiday is your favorite?

My favorite holiday is Pchum Ben day because I can meet with my family and friends. We go to the pagoda together. I also cook food for my mother, father, and grandparents. 

Which Khmer dish is your favorite?

Khmer soup – mixed soup with lots of vegetables 

What would you like Americans to know about Cambodia?

I would like Americans to learn about Khmer culture. We believe in Buddhism and the people live in Cambodia because the people in Cambodia are friendly and honest. 

Meet Ravin!

Ravin is a high school student in Siem Reap province.
Interviewed by Peace Corps Volunteer Andy

Ravin is 18 years old. He is a high school student in Siem Reap Province. His parents are farmers and his two older brothers work in a bank. His younger brother is in primary school. 

Which Khmer Holiday is your favorite?

My favorite holiday is Water Festival because I get to meet my family. We take a trip to the town and have a picnic together.

Which Khmer dish is your favorite?

Khmer noodles

What would you like Americans to know about Cambodia?

There is a good culture in Cambodia. There are a lot of temples. There is dancing such as apsara dancing. Apsara dancing is the national dance for Cambodia. 

Meet Seut!

Seut is a high school student in Siem Reap province.
Interviewed by Peace Corps Volunteer Andy

Seut is 19 years old. He is a high school student in Siem Reap Province. His father is a teacher and his mother is a farmer. His older brother is a teacher as well and he has two older sisters who both work at a bank. 

Which Khmer Holiday is your favorite?

My favorite holiday is Khmer New Year because I get to see my relatives and eat with them. We are are very happy during this holiday. 

What is your favorite food?

Roast chicken

Meet Mr. Raddin!

Mr. Raddin is a monk and teacher in Tbong Khmum province.
Interviewed by Peace Corps Volunteer Marco

Raddin was 12 years old when he became a monk. He thought it was the best decision for him and his family to become a monk and to continue his education. Now he is 24 years old and a member of the teaching staff at a Pagoda in Tbong Khmum province. The decision suited him well, he says, since he is from the area and can see his family regularly.

What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday in Cambodia is Visak Bochea. Visak Bochea Day is a Buddhist holiday that is celebrated on the full moon of the sixth month of the Buddhist lunar calendar, which is typically around the month of May in the Gregorian calendar. Visak Bochea celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death (or nirvana) of the Buddha. On this day many people visit their local pagodas to celebrate. They bring food, flowers, and candles with them as gifts. The day is spent on thinking of the Buddha’s teachings and ways, the monks chant scriptures and the locals engage in meditation.