Be the Change Network

Last week when I spoke our school director via Skype, he told me that “the high-ranking people are now scared of the people of Charuk Tiek because they have a voice to the world. ” They do. Me. Read all about it in the News….

This local news on the heels of a report released June 1, by London based human rights group Global Witness called Cambodia’s Family Trees, detailing how the political elite is stripping Cambodia of it’s forest resources in the illegal timber trade. This is the web of “the power man” that the people in our village live in fear of. Read more here…

To convince the teachers, community leaders, monks and students to write a letter, I would pick up a single stick and say “If one person speaks out, easy to break” Snap. Then I would pick up a whole bunch of sticks and say “But if everyone speaks out together, cannot break.” And the bundle held firm. When asked if the people believe that their letters are what make the “powerman” look over his shoulder, he said yes. When asked if anyone has been threatened for writing a letter, he said no.

I am proud of them all.

Still I’m searching for the right conservation NGO to team up with to help with the sustainable forest agriculture projects at our school Here’s what a contact at Conservation International great.

Flora & Fauna International (FFI) is the international conservation organization who works with the Cambodian government in the Aural Wildlife Sanctuary. Apparently, Tra Peang Chor, is unfortunately called “timber town” and effective enforcement of natural resource laws has been difficult there.

I just don’t get why they are working with the Cambodian government, which I can tell you from personal obersavtion is utterly on the take in Trapeang Chor around out school. Yet, we have a huge number of local advocates, why aren’t they working to empower these people?

I honestly dont get it. It’s like no one ever thought of working through the school for community driven economic development and empowerment. I find this odd, because a school is a natural community meeting place, and it also serves to neutralize conflict since everybody’s kids go to school there.

Our grassroots approach is based on the premise that the government will not change. It is either unwilling or unable to support it’s schools. Change has to come from the bottom up.

June 15, 2007

Interview with Kari Grady Grossman, author of “Bones that Float”

In the previous post, I reviewed Bones That Float, A Story of Adopting Cambodia. Today and tomorrow, I’m chatting with author, Kari Grady Grossman.

Laura Christianson: Bones that Float is an intriguing title. What is the significance of that phrase? Read the interview…

Laura Christianson is an adoption authority who hosts a great blog for anyone interested in Adoption.

She’s the 3rd stop on our blog book tour for Bones That Float. Here’s her review.

Adoption Book Review: “Bones That Float: A Story of Adopting Cambodia”

I love books in which the author incorporates storytelling to convey a message. Bones That Float, A Story of Adopting Cambodia, does that exceptionally well. In this riveting non-fiction book that reads like a novel, author Kari Grady Grossman—a documentary producer—brings the fabric of life in Cambodia alive through word pictures.

More…

Kari fields question from Laura in the coming days on her blog, very interesting stuff.

Laura Christianson is the author of two soon to be released books.

The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting

and

The Adoption Network: Your Guide to Starting a Support System

Judging by the solid advice on her blog, they will both be excellent, no doubt.

Christine has a very funny and fun to read blog called Mommy Matters.

Here’s what she wanted to know about Bones That Float:

[Christine] I know you cover this in your book, but tell me a little bit about the title.

[Kari Grady Grossman] Bones That Float is the English interpretation of a scared Cambodian phrase “chung un diet” which literally translates to bones that float. It means to have good karma, that your body has the good fortune to float away from all the suffering. My son’s birthmother wrote us a letter describing him as having bones that float.

[Christine] US adoptions to Cambodia were closed shortly after you adopted Grady? Why is that?

[Kari Grady Grossman] I wrote Bones That Float, to put this situation in its full historical and cross-cultural context. The media loves to sensationalize stories of international adoption into some economically driven baby-buying racket. It’s much harder to look at the truth of the matter.

More of her interview with Kari here… plus check out the comments at the end.

Interview with Kari Grady Grossman Continues …

SHB:
Are there any actions people can take to encourage the reopening of
Cambodian adoptions for Americans?

KGG:

My understanding is that this is now in the hands of the Cambodian government, and there has been a draft resolution sitting on their desks for 2 years. The US has a said it will not re-open their side until Cambodia makes it’s process less corruptible by a US standard.

I think it is inhumane for the US to hold children hostage in this political stalemate. We can continue to try and draw attention to the situation. Write your congressman, senator Landau and senator McCain.

Get the story to the media, somehow. I am hoping to do this with my book, as people read and learn the full context of the situation, I hope their compassion will be ignited to spread the word. I’d like to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show and tell everyone about the incredible ways that adoption benefits the entire country, as you so accurately pointed out in your post about “Cultural Genocide,” with the humanitarian aide and work being funneled to Cambodia by adoptive parents.

It is amazing to me that this story is never of interest to the media, but it is of deep interest to people.

SHB:
Have you seen what could constitute a legacy of the suspension in the making?

Read more of the interview click here