True Heart : Maria Barbosa de Lima

Her name is Maira Barbosa de Lima, she is 65 years old, and Brazilian. She is graduated in Accounting, and Bachelor in Theology focused in Anthropology and Social Services. 

She is retired now, and before she used to work as a Financial Manager in different companies in São Paulo in Brazil. She worked for many years as a social worker in poor communities with the street’s  kids in São Paulo, where she even sheltered 15 of those children.

 Until today she keeps in touch with them and some are now married... 

She left Brazil in 2008 and went to United Estates to improve her English, she  then arrived in Cambodia in January 2009 and has been in there since.

 She is a Christian missionary and in the bottom of her heart she truly believes that God guided her where she is now. 

She came to Cambodia with the vision to communicate with people, in order to spread the gospel and helping the poor communities to transform they lives.. Firstly she learned khmer language, through this to built the relationship with local people. She focused on the vulnerable children with dysfunctional families in the poor communities.

 She connect the children with public schools, provide them all kind of support they could need : financial, counseling, professional training, spiritual guidance etc... 

She is helping different NGOs and Poor families from the poorest communities  supported by Shanty Town Spirit Ermine Norodom Association,  checking the school results, taking them to the dentist, doctor also when needed, visiting the families to get to know their physical and spiritual needs..

 Maira organized outdoor events, swimming pool, teaching English and bible studies. A lot of things to carry on, she is doing an amazing job helping everyone with all their difficulties she as a  tremendous amount of work and  she is so much  devoting to help Shanty Town Spirit and the other NGO’s. 

One very last project is to transform an acquired room in the Boeung Trabek slum to become an activities place such as  teaching all kind of subjects, English, extra classes, Art etc…. after the Covid crisis it is a project to begin. 

Maira is a multi task person, she is also teaching English to disabilities children  at Light of Mercy NGO. 

Maira is doing all that from her heart as a volunteer, she feels so much joy and happiness when she see people and families getting out of the slums, improving their life and having a good job or proper home. 

Finally not forgetting to mention that Maira is fostering a little girl : Sothea , for more than 7 years, providing her a proper living and a good education. 

Thank you very much Maira for the tremendous work you are doing with us, Shanty Town Spirit and all the other people you are supporting.

God bless you Maira for your kind heart helping everybody and everyone. 

                                   
                                             One Spirit, One Heart, One Community                                      

       You can help us by sponsoring the Shanty Town Spirit program:

 Click on 
Make a difference 

  Contact  Ermine Norodom: +855 (0) 17 49 27 19 (French and English)

norodomermine@gmail.com

Words by Nathalie Bonpain

Infinity Insurance management team lends a helping hand

To celebrate International Children’s day, last month, members of Infinity Insurance’s management team paid a visit to Boeung Trabak as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Program activities. Infinity has been supporting Shanty Town Spirit for the past six months as they remain committed to helping the most vulnerable communities to access education and healthcare.  This was their first ever visit to the slum and they generously donated large quantities of clothes to the community. We asked the team about their reflections:

“This was my first time that I had the opportunity to join the team for a CSR activity,” said SAN Sokha, Underwriting Manager – Property & casualty, “I was a bit distressed at first but was touched after we had met the kids and their families. I felt proud to be involved in such an activity.”

“I felt extreme pity towards these kids and their families after seeing how they live in slum. I had never thought that people were still living in such conditions,” said UN Sophea, Medical Claims Services Manager, “I am proud to be able to participate in this activity and it has shown our leader’s initiative in encouraging us towards helping our community.” 

“I had mixed feelings visiting the slum; shocked at first but at the same grateful to have the opportunity. Our CEO has always encouraged all employees to become involved in helping those in need. Now I understand why. I am looking forward to be involved in such an activity with Shanty Town again in the future,” reflected SARIM Sarom, Claims Manager-Employee Benefits. 

KOU Leakna, Underwriting Manager – Employees Benefits said, “I was very sad to see people living in such an extremely dirty environment. I appreciate that our CEO and Ermine support this community and I’m proud to be involved directly with helping the kids.”

Sinn Chansereisophea- Marketing and Communications manager: “It has never come to my mind that although there has been a lot of development in our country, that we still have people living in slums like this with many difficulties and health issues. I was shocked and upset at the same time to see such a thing. However, I have a sense of joy for donating and interacting with the kids and their families. I am very proud to be working for a company that is focusing on helping those in need for the best reason- to help them get out of poverty through supporting their access to education.”

“I felt great pity for the kids and their families for living in such a very bad environment, so unhealthy, no education and insufficient food. I was glad to be able to see the smiles and happiness when they received our clothes,” said Yun Socheat, Chief Finance Officer. 

Thida, Marketing and Communications assistant: “I was shocked to see people are still living in such conditions. The extremely small path and home, rubbish everywhere, and the standard of living are impossible.”

As you can see, the conditions that these families live in are very confronting. But with the support of caring companies like Infinity Insurance who donate monthly to our core activities, we can make a difference to these communities’ lives.

You can help these kids

by sponsoring the Shanty Town Spirit program

Click on Make a difference

Or contact

Ermine Norodom: +855 (0) 17 49 27 19 (French and English)

Norodomermine@gmail.com

Phirun Prak (Arun): +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (English and Khmer)

Arun.aenorodom@gmail.com

Clowning around

The children in Boeung Trabek got a big surprise when Miss Smile the clown and a lovely French dancer named Stephanie came to play games a few weeks ago. These entertainers come from You’ve Got Talent NGO, as part of their Cambodia Entertainment and Art Restoration Outreach program. By using various artistic activities, the program hopes to foster everyone’s potential for growth. 

Miss Smile the clown

Stephanie, the lovely French dancer

The team engaged children in word games using puppets and powerful yet fun affirmations, such as “We are all unique and beautiful!” or “We don't have to change ourselves to please others”. The children also dressed up and played musical instruments, and also learnt a short dance sequence.

The kids of Shanty Town Spirit participating to the show

.

The crowd of onlookers grew with many mothers and elders curious about the laughter whilst absorbing the dynamic energy of the show. It was nice to see smiles on their faces. This wasn’t the troupes’ first visit nor will it be their last as the children get loads of enjoyment out of these activities. Furthermore, thanks to the kind donation of a sponsor, the next visit will bring more dancing with a new portable sound system. “It’s a pleasure to build a collaboration between You’ve Got Talent and Shanty town Spirit”, said Miss Agathe Schust, director of the talent program, and we couldn’t agree more!

Miss Agathe Schust (4th from the left), director of the talent program

Princess Ermine Norodom with a happy crowd

Words by Jessica Sander

You can help these kids

by sponsoring the Shanty Town Spirit program

Click on Make a difference

Or contact

Ermine Norodom: +855 (0) 17 49 27 19 (French and English)

Norodomermine@gmail.com

Phirun Prak (Arun): +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (English and Khmer)

Arun.aenorodom@gmail.com

NGO -Photography : Kids of Shanty Town have fun

At the initiative of Kattia Huy, and with the help of Ermine Norodom and Jean-Yves Froissart, the children of Boeng Trabbek slum (Phnom Penh) could appreciate the joys of children like others as they were invited to enjoy pizza and playing at the park on saturday afternoon. There, Ermine Norodom, president of the association Shanty Town Spirit and Kattia Huy, president of United For Cambodian Children's, could properly identify children, it is sometimes difficult with children living in slums, in order to find sponsors for and send them to school.

At the pizzeria

Kids having fun at the park

Kids in the tuktuk, with Kattia Huy

At the Pizzeria

With Ermine Norodom and Kattia Huy

Having fun...

If you wish to help and support her program, 

click on the Donate button

or contact 

Ermine Norodom : +855 (0) 90 22 74 33 (French & English)

norodomermine@gmail.com

Phirun Prak (Arun) : +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (English & Khmer)

arun.aenorodom@gmail.com

Thank you

Dicover the Better World Forum

French Press : Nouvelles de Shanty Town Spirit : Mission à Kampong Chamlong

A l'occasion de la Journée Internationale des enfants, l'association d'Ermine Norodom a choisi de se rendre dans le village de Kampong Chamlong, dans la province de Kandal. Avec ses coéquipiers, Arun, Any et Maira, Ermine Norodom a apporté des fournitures scolaires, des uniformes, des médicaments et des produits d'hygiène à douze enfants choisis parmi les communautés les plus défavorisées du village. Ces dons ont été possibles grâce à la générosité du Women International Group. Ce voyage à Kampong Chamlong a également été l'occasion d'avoir des nouvelles de Khat Mao, la grand-mère dont la jambe était gravement infecté il y a quelques mois. Avec l'initiative d'Ermine Norodom et quelques généreux donateurs privés, sa jambe a pu être sauvée, elle peut marcher à nouveau et, elle suit maintenant un traitement régulier pour son état diabétique. Sur le chemin du retour, l'équipe est allée rencontrer une autre grand-mère dont les conditions de vie sont assez difficiles. Sa maison est sur le point de s'effondrer et Ermine Norodom se renseigne actuellement pour entreprendre rapidement des travaux de rénovation avant les grosses pluies de la mousson, comme elle le dit : ''...Les enfants sont importants, ils sont l'avenir, mais nous ne pouvons pas abandonner les anciens qui ont besoin d'aide! ''.

Enfants de Kampong Chamlong

Ermine Norodom et son équipe pendant la distribution des uniformes aux enfants de Kampong Chamlong

Distribution d'uniformes, de fournitures scolaires et produits d’hygiène pour les enfants de Kampong Chamlong

Ermine Norodom et sa protégée Khat Mao se rencontrent à nouveau

Malgré l'amputation de trois orteils, Khat Mao peut marcher à nouveau

Un peu de cash pour pouvoir payer son traitement pour le diabète

Une autre grand-mère dans le besoin, sa cabane menace de s’effondrer

Si vous souhaitez aider le programme Shanty Town Spirit, 

Cliquer sur Donate button

ou contacter

Ermine Norodom : +855 (0) 90 22 74 33 (Français et Anglais)

norodomermine@gmail.com

Phirun Prak (Arun) : +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (Anglais et Khmer)

arun.aenorodom@gmail.com

Un grand merci

Source : Cambodge Mag - Nouvelles de Shanty Town Spirit : Mission à Kampong Chamlong

Shanty Town Spirit : Mission trip in Kampong Chamlong

For the 69th celebration of Cambodia children's day, the Ermine Norodom association choose to make a trip to the village of Kampong Chamlong in Kandal Province. With her team mates, Arun, Any and Maira, Ermine Norodom brought school supplies, uniforms, medicine and hygiene products to twelve kids chosen among the most disadvantaged communities of the village. These donations were possible with the generosity of Women International Group who funded this donation. This trip to Kampong Chamlong was also the opportunity to get some news from Khat Mao, the grandmother whose leg was severely infected a few months ago. With the initiative of Ermine Norodom and generous private donors, her leg has now been saved, she can walk again and she's following now a regular treatment for her diabetic condition. On their way back, the team went to meet with another grandmother whose living conditions are difficult. Her house is about to collapse and Ermine Norodom will inquire quickly to make some renovation before the heavy monsoon rains, as she said : Kids are important, they are the future, but we cannot abandon the elders who need help !

Children of Kampong Chamlong in Kandal Province

Ermine Norodom, president of Shanty Town Spirit program , makes some adjustments for the kid's brand new school uniforms donated by  the association Women International Group

Twelve kids from the most disadvantaged communities Kampong Chamlong received school supplies, uniforms, medicine and hygiene products

Ermine Norodom and her protégée Khat Mao meet again

Khat Mao's leg is not infected anymore and, despite the amputation of three toe fingers, she now can walk normally

Happy Grandmother also received some money to pay the treatment for her diabetic condtion

Before the heavy monsoon rains, Ermine Norodom and her team will help to fix the house of this other grandma from Kampong Chamlong in Kandal Province

If you wish to help and support our program, 

click on the Donate button

or contact 

Ermine Norodom : +855 (0) 90 22 74 33 (French & English)

norodomermine@gmail.com

Phirun Prak (Arun) : +855 (0) 96 663 6666 (English & Khmer)

arun.aenorodom@gmail.com

Thank you