Dear Friends,
My heart is full after today's experiences. Words are not sufficient, but I will try.Today we visited four music classes which are part of Arn Chorn's program "Cambodia Living Arts." The purpose of this program is to try to recover and sustain Cambodian traditional arts which was almost completely wiped out during the Khmer Rouge Genocide.
The classes are held in a shanty town or poor section of Phnom Penh. Yet amidst this poverty Arn's master teachers are performing a miracle: they are restoring an entire performing arts culture through the open hearts and ready minds of the children. You see, this tradition is passed down orally; it will die without master adults from one generation and child students from the next. And with the death of a culture comes the death of a whole people.
This is quite a burden to place on a handful of master performers - all survivors of the Khmer Rouge - and children from the poorest section of Cambodia. But after what I witnessed today, it is clear that even in the most difficult of living conditions, children - when given the chance - will find joy in this responsibility. For I have never seen such happy and proud children as the dancers, singers and musicians I saw today. Children from what seemed like age 6 and up proudly displayed their talents with precise dance motions, soulful voices and exotic and wonderful instrumentation. Their performances literally brought tears to our eyes.
Let me tell you about the people. The first thing you notice are their smiles: a beeming radiance that comes over their faces in response to your greeting(which you do by bowing with both hands held together in front of your face). Then there is this: the capacity to make complete strangers - us - feel both welcome and safe as we literally walked through their streets and in front of their homes. We felt no concern whatsoever.
I will close with this: we are all grateful to be representing Tenafly as your window into Cambodia. Each of the students representing you have been wonderful, understanding and deeply compassionate. You would be proud of them. They are opening not only their minds but their hearts; that is not an easy thing to do. I am proud to be part of this Tenafly delegation and I look forward to sharing more with you on a daily basis.
Sincerely,
Mark Hyman
Mark: The updates and pictures are great. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to read and view. This all brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDelete"....Teach us the Strength that cannot seek,
By deed or thought, to hurt the weak;
That, under Thee, we may possess
Man's strength to comfort man's distress..." (Rudyard Kipling, The Children's Song)
Thank you for making this experience possible for our children and for sharing it with us at home
Barbara
This is absolutely unbelievable. I am overwhelmed by all that I have seen and read, both by the immensity of the experience for all of you and our ability to share it through technology. I will spend more time tomorrow reading and savoring all the details. TMS sends its love to all of our students, parents, Arn, Mark and Judy. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating experience for all. I am enjoying just following it on the web site. All classes are doing well. I am doing my best to fill your shoes but you must have big feet. Travel safely, Arthur Stamberg(your favorite sub)
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteI had the opportunity to meet you and a number of your students and colleagues at the "Eye on Cambodia" conference at TMS last October. Thank you for your honest and heart-felt entry -- it allows all of us not there by your side to appreciate the realities of life and living in a developing country. Enjoy every minute in Cambodia, and thank you for being such a great diplomat and role model for your kids to follow.
Best,
Brita Stevenson
Mark....what you are doing is amazing....giving these kids a chance to learn about Cambodia...and chance for them to see that not everyone lives the way we do. Reading all of the blogs are truly touching. You can't just read one.....you feel compelled to read them all. It's amazing......God bless you for what you are doing!
ReplyDelete-Diana Park :)
Judy,
ReplyDeleteSounds like the trip is phenomenal. I plan on reading everything this weekend. I hope you are all safe and well. Bill's party was lovely -- he was so happy.
It's very quiet here -- busy but quiet.
I hope each day opens all of your eyes ever wider and that you will share the experiences with us. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Be well and safe,
Peg
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYou have touched many lives, here and across the globe. Your work is amazing and inspiring to all. We are all blessed to work with you and learn from you. -- Have a great trip, Alex
It's so great that you're there, and that you will be able to fill up that immense heart of yours with the spirit of the Cambodian people. This country (ours -- the US) needs as much as you can possibly bring back.
ReplyDeletePS: Nabi misses you and Michelle. And I'm not sure, but it looks like your roof is sagging a little bit. I'll call a carpenter to have a look before you get back.
Dear Mr. Hyman
ReplyDeleteHow's the trip? I hope your having fun. I'm really interested about Arn. Ask him why he wasn't emailing us if you have the chance. I can't wait until you get back. Charlotte Doyle is just getting good.
I hope you're having lots of fun,
Matthew Greenberg
Mark and Michele,
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! We are riveted to Michele's e-mail and this blog. Thank you for being a part of this important effort and for sharing your experience. You're in our prayers for a safe journey and return. Looking forward to seeing you when you're back stateside. Love, Tom and Betty
The thing you do over there is so beautiful! I think you are doing an increadble job! I wish I could go over there to help! Have fun and bring pictures with you!
ReplyDeleteDid the kids in the hospital like our drawings?
I hope it will make them happier.
~Neta Y.
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie gave me the web address for your adventure. What an incredible trip you and the students are having. All of your hard work has really made a tangible difference. Keep well and come back with many stories.
Your friend,
Chuck