Community Peace Building Initiative Program

Mr. Sar Sokhapong Daniel, Community Peace Building Initiative Program Manager

What motivated me to work at Peace Bridges was seeing the impacts on my country from the experience of a long civil war. Even though the genocide is over, a lot of people are still affected, and the war has really impacted their attitudes and behaviors. They become angry and violent easily, and so a lot of families and schools live with violence. Even I suffered violence as I was growing up.

So when I saw those things I also observed that I could not change anything, because people expected to change things with violence. But violence cannot end violence, and so the situation became worse and nothing ever changed. Because I saw a lot of violence in families and communities, and against minority groups like the Cham people, I asked myself, “As a citizen living in a country with a lot of violence, what can I do to help?”

When I heard about peacebuilding training offered by Peace Bridges, I was very interested and applied. After I finished, I was even more motivated to see what I could do for society and how I could use my knowledge and skills bring healing. So when I learned Peace Bridges was going to employ a new position, I applied. I am now very happy that I can use my knowledge and skill to help the people in my country by providing peace education to the Christian churches, Buddhist monks, community groups, prison inmates and staff, and so on.

After the training and support I have provided, I can see the impact on people’s lives. I can see their changed attitudes and that the training also benefits their families, workplaces, and communities. But the work is not finished and a lot of areas and groups still need peace-building work. For this reason, I still have a heart to continue my work and see peace extend across Cambodia.

Mrs. Moeung Solida , Community Peace Building Initiative Program Assistant

My name Moeung Solida . I graduated from Social Science Department at Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2012. I’m working for Peace Bridges for one year since 1st December 2012 as Community Peace Building Initiative program Assistance. I married with Mr.Hen Kim. I came from Kampong Chhnang Province. I would like to spend much time on working to promote peace and help the people who struggle in problem/ conflict to have solution on their problem. For me, Peace means LOVE.  When I have love in mind, I don’t angry, hate, Jealous and harm to other people who live around me.  I Love other as love my self?. SO My family life is happiness and peace full. I am working for help people to love other like love themselves. I hope that Cambodia is full fill peace that it’s beginning from my family first.

Mr. Lang Reaksmey, Community Peace Building Initiative Program Coordinator

There are many people living with complicated problems that are very hard to understand – living with no hope, full of discouragement and conflict. I am no different in my need for hope, encouragement and peace in my life. Recognizing this need led me to Peace Bridges’ training, which gave me the skills and vision that I am now excited to share with others.

I love helping build peace with families, churches, communities, Cambodia and all over the world. Finishing my year 4 studies at Phnom Penh Bible College and Peace Bridges’ 1-year course of Conflict Counseling and Mediation helped me see my vision more clearly. And my wife, Chenda, is the best resource and encouragement for me for this task. I am grateful that I have been able to work for peace at Peace Bridges since 2007 as a facilitator providing peacebuilding and conflict prevention training to churches and NGOs in Cambodia.

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Reaksmey helps provide training and mobilization in our long-term course and in short-term consultancies. In addition, Reaksmey serves as a member of the Church committee, Sunday School teacher, and preacher. Previous to working with Peace Bridges, he was as an assistant pastor and computer coordinator at Faith in Christ Church in Phnom Penh and a dormitory warden at Phnom Penh Bible College.