Denise Arnold – Cambodia Charitable Trust Trustee
	Denise Arnold and daughter Emily are in Cambodia on behalf of The Cambodia Charitable Trust to dispense money raised to assist children there. This blog is a record of their time in Cambodia.

The first half of our journey focused on the schools and education. Now I need to work on the human rights issues and 'land grabbing'. This is a longer term programme, but part of the same solution. Educate the population and give them a chance to make a decent living, then make sure the law works to allow them to hold onto what they have earned and their basic human rights are enforced.

We spent a morning with Yara reviewing the community mapping, a process where communities are encouraged to work together to improve their living conditions. The community we visited is working with the authorities to get sewage systems installed. The community have started saving themselves but will need a bit of help to get to their 50 per cent contribution. The advantage of doing this too is that it 'legitimises' the community in the eyes of the authorities and pens the door to them to apply for titles to their properties, protecting themselves from land grabbing.
I also met up again with a law firm which is the first f its kind. It is a private law firm which will eventually fund its work for the poor from the profits from private work. At the moment they are working 100 per cent for the poor for free. They are struggling with their business plan, terms of trade, office procedures, so I could offer them help via our practice manager. We made huge progress.
At Legal Aid of Cambodia I was updated on the progress of their three main programmes: land rights, child justice and women's justice. I mentioned some of the ideas I had for a human rights education programme and they looked a bit taken aback. They were themselves just talking about that and they believe the Ministries of Education and Interior would be open to the idea.
At the Community Legal Education Centre I met with Neary, a real Cambodian wonder-woman. She is softly spoken but has found her place in the legal world, fighting for communities who have had their land taken off them. She loves her job. She runs a team of three other lawyers. They are in need of a fourth but CLEC cannot afford it. We discussed her two high profile human rights abuse cases and I made some suggestions. Things we take for granted in NZ, company searches, contacting organisations to report the abuses, are a struggle for them. I think it is relatively easy for us to find ways to help them.
I have worked with the Housing Rights Task Force since 2007. I introduced myself to their new advisor, a German lawyer. She has only been there for a month so is still learning how it all works. While there I talked to Phearum again about the ladies at Village 6 and gave him some sewing patterns I had brought from NZ. We got two orders for the shirts the ladies are going to learn to sew from the adviser and the assistant. How is that for selling!
I had a meeting with the Bar Association of Cambodia (top lawyers who control and manage the legal profession here). Obviously any dealings with them involve very sensitive issues so I cannot go into detail. The executive committee of Law Asia has agreed to come to Cambodia for their committee meeting in May and I wanted to broker three things - a meeting between a delegation of the Bar and the Law Asia Ex Co, a discussion between all lawyers and Law Asia on the role of a bar association and topics such as ethics, discipline, independence, education etc (see what I mean by sensitive?). And finally, an educational session on something such as property disputes, working for no charge or intellectual property.
Without going into detail, the process had jammed at this end, but after the meeting I believe we have found a way forward and I have suggested I drive it (to make sure it is done and hold them to their word). Law Asia is very cooperative and keen to help. To achieve this open discussion between LA and all lawyers would in itself justify this trip alone. I have my fingers crossed and will keep on it.
I caught up with COHRE (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions). I met them in 2008. We had a really good discussion and I have some ideas I would like to develop. As a snapshot; land disputes most often end up going like this - the company or government start to bulldoze someone's house down. The homeowner tries to stop them, blocking the way or, say, throwing stones at the bulldozer. The homeowner is charged with trespass or intentional damage - criminal charges. They are then on a bit of a leash. Every time the community looks to be getting stronger, the accused (if they are not in prison) are called-up to grind a step closer to conviction.
The criminal system is hopelessly jammed, which is another whole issue. (At the Legal Aid of Cambodia meeting on Wednesday, we discussed the fact that it takes months for an accused to even get a Court hearing date - in one case a child was placed in prison and it took more than a year to get the case heard. On top of that there has been a law change - if two of you are involved in a basic theft, say of food, it becomes a more serious charge of robbery. Of course kids act in packs particularly when they are starving so the bear the brunt of this new law).
Anyway, back to housing. I think we need to push for a mediation service for land disputes. Why not use NZ's expertise with the Waitangi Tribunal? I have many reasons why I think this is worth promoting, one of which is that if NZ can assert its experience in this area, we get NZ lawyers as independent parties legitimately offering to act as mediators or adjudicators. It is after all a specialist field and we would only be doing the Cambodian Government a good service.
I met Khatri for a final debrief and to leave him with some funds to enable the poor communities to get together to develop strategies. We can help with the (minor) cost of travel and refreshments (water).
I have had a very informative meeting with two of World Vision's senior people. They are doing a wonderful job. One was the head of water and sanitation and he had some very valuable comments on how to go about getting fresh water to the schools and providing toilets. Just what I needed - practical "how to" advice. I was pleased to learn that their experience matched what we understand to be the issues. We can actually save lives through doing this - but it takes time as most of it involves educating the communities involved, not just building toilets.
I have met with Sabay and Nimul at Rajana Fair Trade and have collected the prototype skirt and trousers from them. Tracey and Rhonda will be delighted I am sure.
Met with the ladies from Village 6 again. I showed them their business card which will be attached to their products when I sell them in NZ. They cannot read it, but were very excited. They have the shirt pattern and are now getting quotes for a sewing machine.
We have had some fun too. We went to the centre run by Nyemo. The profits they make from the guesthouse and restaurant they run (where we are staying) and from the sale of their goods (butterfly mobiles, handbags including our new Pohutukawa design etc) fund a social development programme teaching women from very bleak backgrounds to sew or cook. Many women come from violent relationships or have HIV/Aids. Some end up living there as a short term solution but they are encouraged to form groups and find their own accommodation. Nyemo's role is to teach them a skill and not provide long term accommodation. Those that can be relocated back into their community are given a small amount of money to set up business as a tailor or vendor. The centre provides counselling, a midwife, medical care and educational programmes for their children. The kids were all dancing and laughing, and their rooms were beautifully decorated with paper mobiles and pictures and had silk leaves and vines threaded from the ceiling.
We have found some really beautiful bags that I will carry home to show you (and sell - Mothers Day presents anyone?) and can do so thanks to Singapore Airlines' 70kg limit. If your feedback is good, I have details to order more. Emily and I had several social invitations. Khmer New Year is party time. Also, Monks are called in to bless offices, houses etc. We were also privileged to be able to see the children from the Nyemo Centre dance.
Had a wonderful final night with the staff at Nyemo. I feel like I am leaving good friends. The guards gave me a cold beer to toast to the New Year. I had gifts for the staff which I had brought from NZ. The women got to choose between soap, shower gel gift sets or an apron and tea towel in NZ designs. Interesting! Chanty, the head of sewing chose an apron as she loved the Kiwi images and now has a whole lot of ideas for new cushion designs, bags, placemats......cool! The guards got new shirts - boring, but they loved them.
We will be back In NZ at the end of the week and will then have to start processing all of the new information.
Even in "holiday" mode, the evidence of the daily struggle to survive is clear. My mind does not move far from the work we are doing. At the temples children try to sell you all sorts of trinkets. I ask them if they go to school - I cannot help myself. Sometimes they mumble and dash off, other times they proudly tell me the capital of New Zealand and flash me a grin, saying I should buy from them now. Life is never dull.