Friends-International new coloring book

Children of all ages can enjoy using their imagination and brightest colors to bring to life scenes of Cambodian food, nature and culture, all for a special launch price of $3, and of course proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support Friends-International’s programs.

You can also enter an exciting coloring competition on the day, enjoy many other games and live entertainment, food and drink, stalls brimming with bargains and much, much more, all from 9.00am until 2.00pm with free entry, in the grounds of the Mith Samlanh center in the heart of Phnom Penh.

You can subscribe to our new blog and our lovely quarterly eNewletter ‘New Friends’ all from our new blog.

We hope you like it – www.friends-international.org/blog

Makphet restaurant sign

Sporadic showers fell over Vientiane throughout the morning and although they threatened to dampen the event, preparations continued cheerfully. The road behind Wat Ong Teu was closed as we carefully erected a large white tent across the entire road. It definitely took on a bee hive appearance with the inclusion of flying bees, wonderful creations from the children and youth from the Peuan Mit center.

Inside and safe from the rain the Makphet staff worked on transforming the restaurant into a cozy bee hive. Traditional Lao ingredients such as eggplants in assorted colors and shapes, banana flowers and real grilled bee hives colored the room. Walls were decorated with colorful paintings and giant styrofoam bees (created by the extremely talented children from Peuan Mit )hung from the ceiling. A slideshow of the teams’ Lao trip was projected throughout the evening as surrounding banners displayed the theme of the night: Lao Futures, Lao Culture and Lao Food.

With plenty of crossed fingers and well wishes from our Phnom Penh headquarters the sun finally broke through the dark clouds and to our relief the capital stayed dry for the remainder of the day. The official launch began at 4pm. In true Lao style people slowly found their way to Makphet as Ketsone, the Country Program Director of Peuan Mit, welcomed the attendees before handing proceedings over to Mr. Khamkeng Keovongsy, the Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare before our executive director, Sebastien , concluded by handing the first copy of the cookbook over to the representative of the ministry.

Decorations inside Makphet restaurant during the launch

From 5pm onwards the restaurant really became a hive of activity! People lined up at the buffet for a true taste of Laos. Dishes included Madame Khambot’s Pork and Pumpkin Laap with Mint and the traditional ‘Awh Larm’, Luang Prabang Style Buffalo and Vegetable Stew Simmered with Pepperwood, all featured in the book From the kitchen blenders could be heard running at full speed as they struggled to meet the demands of our thirsty guests for the Makphet favorite Roselle Hibiscus Daiquiri.

The cookbook was very well received and at the end of the night we had sold over 60 copies – an incredible achievement! Everyone involved was buzzing with happiness at the outcome. We hope the buzz continues for a long time yet! Our grateful thanks go out to everyone involved in the making of the cookbook and of course to you for your wonderful support and encouragement.

For purchasing details please visit our website at www.friends-international.org
You can view more photos of the event on our Facebook page.

Another 'from Honeybees to Pepperwood' purchase!

Guests helping themselves to some of the cookbook dishes during the night

Grilled bee hives

Students preparing dishes during the night

Decorations inside Makphet restaurant during the launch

Makphet students keep an eye on the launch as it unfolds

Traditional Khmer dancing during the magical, musical mystery tour themed themed FunFair

Smoothing classic Khmer music & dance were complemented by upbeat contemporary routines. Children (and grownups!) gathered close to the stage with amazement as Johnny West mesmerized the crowd with his never ending number of magic tricks and laugh out loud comedy routines (with guest star Phearun!). There were gasps as the clouds threatened to open and a Tuk-Tuk awkwardly drove on stage to house members of the Tuk-Tuk Sessions during their performances. The Ukes of Hazzard had the crowd clapping along to ukes and electronic beats while Al and Rory belted out a few traditional rock numbers as the clouds rolled darkly overhead.

Ukes of Hazzard perform for the Tuk-Tuk Sessions FunFair May 2011

Mith Samlanh students were kept busy in the beauty rooms as people took the weight off their tired feet (and sought shelter from a storm that never arrived) with massages and other treatments. Games, stalls, food, drinks, great bargains and a photography/education exhibition about our outreach teams all added to the FunFair vibes. All proceeds of another great day will be used to support the many programs that Mith Samlanh provides to marginalized young people in Phnom Penh.

Thanks to our main sponsors Cellcard, new supporting sponsors Asian Tigers Transport Company and Coca-Cola, the organizing committee and all staff, and most of all thanks to all who attended, your support is vital and we appreciate it so much – see you at the next one!

You can view more photos from the day on our Facebook page.

Mother and child enjoying the day

Modern Khmer dancing performed by young students

If you are in Vientiane, stop by for a fun night of creative Lao cuisine and quirky anecdotes on the making of the book. Get your copy that day, it might be a ‘lucky book’ with a gift voucher for our training restaurant Makphet.

All profits will be invested in Friends-International programs supporting marginalized children and youth back into education, training and employment.

If you are not in the area and wish to purchase a copy you can visit the Friends-International website for details.

‘from HoneyBees to Pepperwood – Creative Lao Cooking with Friends’.
Lao Futures, Lao Culture, Lao Food.

'from Honeybees to Pepperwood - Creative Lao Cooking with Friends'

Mith Samlanh’s upcoming FUN FAIR on May 28th, 2pm-6pm at the Mith Samlanh Center in Phnom Penh will be a Magical, Musical Mystery Tour of mythic proportions.

May’s FUN FAIR will feature an extravaganza of music tricks, mysterious and exciting new games, special guest performances by the legendary Tuk-Tuk Sessions and their growing list of artists plus  snacks and drinks from the Friends award winning restaurants.

The children and students of Mith Samlanh will also hit the stage to showcase their talents raising greater awareness and support for Mith Samlanh’s programs for street children, their families and communities.

Mith Samlanh would like to express its thanks to CellCard who is continuing their support of the event as the main sponsor and welcome new supporting sponsors Asian Tigers Transport Company and Coca-Cola.

With its wide range of magic, music, games, stalls and food, the FUN FAIR is perfect for an afternoon out with the family. Come, support and enjoy Mith Samlanh’s FUN FAIR!

Magical, Musical Mystery Tour - FunFair

Friends France organise une merveilleuse soirée pour soutenir les programmes de Friends-International. Le 15 Juin, dans la magnifique Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste à Neuilly sur Seine, Jubilate Choir présentera une sélection de quelques-uns des plus beaux chants du monde, sous la direction de Christian Ciuca. Il s’agit notamment des œuvres de Verdi, Borodine et Mendelssohn, et du phénoménal «Carmina Burana» de Carl Orff. Pour plus de détails sur cette soirée veuillez consulter l’affiche ci-jointe.

On 15 June, in the magnificent surroundings of the Church of St.John the Baptist, Neuilly sur Seine, the internationally renowned Jubilate Choir will perform a selection of some of the best loved choral pieces in the world under the direction of Christian Ciuca. These include works by Verdi, Borodine and Mendelssohn, and the awe-inspiring finale of ‘Carmina Burana’ by Carl Orff. Further details of what wil be an absolutely unforgettable evening can be found on the poster alongside this article.

Neuilly sur Seine, Jubilate Choir présentera une sélection de quelques-uns des plus beaux chants du monde, sous la direction de Christian Ciuca

Over the past three years, we have been so proud to work together with the government, community and our partners such as Unicef and Aide et Action to achieve the eight remarkable objectives.

We are pleased to announce that our ChildSafe Hotline Teams are still working as normal during this Khmer New Year holiday. So if you see a child in danger or at risk, please call our hotline number as shown in the card attached accordingly.

On this special occasion, we would like to thank you for all your support and cooperation in protecting children with us so far. We wish you all a very happy, joyful, prosperous and successful new year.

Happy New Year!!! Together, protecting children!!!

ChildSafe Team
Friends-International

In other program news, CPD’s and senior management gathered in Phnom Penh for over a week of intensive workshops and sharing meetings during late March to map out the way ahead and to reflect on the year gone by for Friends-International. Lots of lively debate and discussion ensued, as did sharing of program achievements to date and the challenges for the future.

Don’t forget you can also follow Friends-International news on Twitter and Facebook.