Banteay Srei

PART 1 << Click here if the embedded vid is not working


PART 2 << Click here if the embedded vid is not working




In Cambodia, Banteay Srei is a temple filled with intricate carvings in the Ankor area. In Oakland, Banteay Srei is a youth group sponsored by Asian Health Services dedicated to girls empowering themselves that principally serves the Cambodian community.

More about Bantey Srei, including how to make a donation, here:
http://www.girlsempoweringthemselves.com/pages/index2.html

And for the past four years, the group has been led by my sister, Nhuanh. She works with teenage girls, basically trying to help them stay on the path toward becoming proud, successful, mature young women living in a community that doesn't always model that possibility.  She uses heavy doses of mentoring, art, and plain old listening to make sure that these young women can envision a positive life for themselves, and she does it amazingly well. 

Nhuanh has been planning a big move for quite a while now, and this year was her last with Banteay Srei.  A few nights ago was the final showcase of the girls' art and performances that they've been putting together all year.  It was capped off by the girls' goodbye to Nhuanh.  You can see that she's had a huge impact on them, and that though it's goodbye for now, the effect and impression that she's made will long outlast her tenure there.