Cambodian Society
in the United Kingdom

Winter gathering Party: Saturday 17th December 2016 at the VLC Community Centre from 6pm-mid night.
Children meeting with Santa for a special gifts (from Parents) & Chocolate (from Casunik)
There were good numbers of guests and community’s members turned up, including new members that have been living around South East London, HE Meas Kim Heng Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, the family and all staff members to Celebrate the WINTER festive before end of the year,

Our dearest member the late Mrs Sophal PEN The 100th day remembrance service was held Saturday 8th April 2017 at Chithurst Monastery, Petersfield Bangskaul service and blessing prayers were conducted by MrTan Nam, Ajahn Garuneko Abbot of Chithurst Monastery, with all monks, community members and guests. Bangskaul Donations were forwarded directly from: Mr & Mrs Pen Eam, the children, family members and all, to the Monastery.

KHMER NEW YEAR Celebration on Saturday 15th April 2017:

• Ceremony opening and greeting speech by Mrs Sobopha Owen
• Introduction of the New Executive members for year 2017
• Introduction the member of Student Association group to the UK year 2017
• 5 minutes Greeting Speech by Mr Chey Ratha Counsellor from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to the UK
• The Buddhist Ceremony was conducted by Mr Tan Nam: requesting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts and Bang Skaul
• Chanting blessing by five Monks and Nuns from Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
• Funds raised by Dr Sambath Heng during Bang Skaull (amount approx. £777.00) were donated to the Monks at the end of the Ceremony
• Dharma talks by Ajahn Nyanarato to bless the Cambodian New Year.
• Gifts Monks packs donated from Casunik, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia and community’s members.
• Food offering to Monks and followed by the guests and the community members.
• From 2pm Music performance by guest singer performers from France: Mr & Mrs Sam Bernard (Cambodian Idol), Mr Samley Hong (Cambodian Rock star since 1970).
• Blessing dance by Mrs Dinal Blomfield.
• Hanuman Dance, and Wey Reap traditional dances performed by Mr Kakada Pich.with assistance of Mrs Rithy Keo Pich.
• Cambodian comedy: Ayai & Chat show by: Mrs Dinal Blomfield and Mr Kunthea Kou.
• Traditional songs and Yi Kee performed by Mr & Mrs Sam Bernard.
• Distribution of Easter Eggs to all Children .and Raffles prize draw open by Mr Kao Samnang, Mr Pen Eam, Counsellor Chey Ratha, HE Cheap Davuth with assistance of Dr Sambath, Mr Dara Than, Ms Sovanvattey Chan, Mr Disovankiri Boung.
• End of shows assembly: Thank you speech Mrs Sobopha Owen
• Distribution of flowers, gifts to all performers, by our seniors members: Mrs Tan Mien, Mr Tan Nam, Dr Sambath, Mrs Siena Tan-Chea, Mr Tan Chea, Mr Pen Eam, Miss Sudhari Unn, Counsellor Chey Ratha, Mr Kao Samnang First secretary and HE Cheap Davuth.
• Open dance by Khmer Ramvong traditional/popular dance with Cambodian live music performers group from France.
• Live Music from the VLC Centre leaded by Mr Lai (the Chairman of the VLC) & 4 team members, performing beautiful pieces of live music, saxophone melodies with participation of Mr Sam Bernard, Mr Samley Hong, from 6pm-8pm followed by Cambodian Disco Dancing, Ramvong until 10.30pm. We had an enjoyable full day of Celebration.
• Support team:
  • Day Manager: Mr Usaly Tan
  • Main show coordinator of the day: Mr Dennis Radsky-Fisher
  • Book keeper/Reception/Raffles sale: Mr Thy Hy, Mr Sinang Chrea, Ms Rachana Pich, Ms Sabrina Pich, Mr Dennis Radsky-Fisher
  • DJ Traditional Khmer Ramvong and Disco dancing: Mr Sorel Nou, with Assistand of Mr Nadenh Poan.
  • Food catering Manager: Mrs Bopha Chan-Pak Samay.
  • Food catering provider: Mrs Siena Tan-Chea, Mrs Chan Chea, Miss Pranee Nou, Mrs Suphali Unn-Nesbit, Mrs Bopha Chan Pak-Samay, Mrs Sim Nadavy, Mrs Raksmey Moung, Mrs Sorel Nou. Mr & Mrs Cheap Davuth (from Cambodia), all community members and all guests.
  • Cambodian live Musicians co-ordinator & driver by Mrs Suphali Unn-Nesbit. Students Association group: Mr Dara Than (lead Co-ordinator), Ms Sovanvattey Chan (MC), Mr Disovankiri Boung(MC) and 4 Students for assistants, Mr Kunthea Kou from SOAS.
  • Stage/hall decoration team: Mrs Sobopha Owen, Mr UsalyTan,, Mr Sinang Chrea, Mrs Dinal Blomfield, Mr Kunthea Kou, Mrs Suphali Nesbit co-ordinator and transporter the performers to VLC for sound check. Student Association Group: Leaded by Mr Dara Than, Ms Sovanvattey Chan, Mr Disovankiri Boung and some students.
  • Clear up team after the Party: Mrs Sobopha Owen, Mr UsalyTan, Mr Rithy Hy, Mr Sinang Chrea,, Mr & Mrs Sorel, Nami Nou, Miss Pranee Nou, Mr & Mrs Sunit & Bopha Pak Samay, Mr Kunthea Kou, Mr Dennis Radsky-Fisher, Mr Dayanni So, Mrs Visal So, Students Association Group: Mr Dara Than and all team members.

We are honoured by the number of guests, including:

• Monks from Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.
• The Royal Embassy of Cambodia’s staff members, the families Mr & Mrs Cheap Davuth
• Representative of Cambodian delegation from Cambodia.
• Seniors members and community members travelled far from around the UK and abroad.
• Cambodian community living in France.
• Mr Lai the Chairman of The VLC and staff members.
• Performers team

We are touched by all new and existing members who had travelled from far distances to support our Traditional National day. The venue was completely full and we all had a fantastic time!

INTERNATIONAL Thod Pha Pa: fund raising event on Sunday 11th June 2017 to support Chithurst Buddhist Monastery. Donation raised by International team organiser, received on the day was forwarded directly to the temple

Special Recognitions:
To support Pchoum Ben activities: Saturday 1st October 2016, the generous donations from HE Meas Kim Heng of £500.00

To support the Winter Gathering (Xmas Party): Saturday 17th December 2016, the generous donation from HE Meas Kim Heng of £500.00

To support the Khmer New Year Celebration year 2017, the generous donations from:

• HE & Mrs Cheap Davuth of £1000.00 together with 13 team members of Delegation,
• HE Cheap Davuth, donated £500.00 to all performers, Musicians, in respect of encouragement the continuation of keeping Khmer traditional Art, dancing , Music alive.
• Mr Chey Ratha together with all Embassy staff members of £300.00
• Mr Usaly Tan of £200.00
• Mr Tan Chea of £120.00
• Mrs Sobopha Owen of £100.00
• Mr & Mrs Moeung Phok of £35.00

All extras generous donations on the day are recorded in the book:

• Mrs Suphali Unn-Nesbit co-ordinated the musicians, singers and provided transportation.
• All community members for the kind contribution of cooked food, donations and assistance.
• The VLC staff members for their assistance.

FUTURE EVENT:
To ensure the availability of the venue, we have booked ahead:

• BADMINTON: Sunday 15th October 2017 Tournament (4th year) between Cambodian community’s members and Lao community’s members, and this year is organised by Casunik.
  • Schedules:
    • 2pm-5pm Tournament (Sport centre TBC).
    • 6pm-10.30pm: Dinner re-gathering The VLC Community Centre

KATHINA FESTIVAL:

• The Buddhist Monastery Chithurst, Petersfield: Sunday 22nd October 2017 from 10am-7-30pm.
• The Buddhist Monastery Amaravati, Hemel Hampstead: Sunday 29th October from 10am-7-30pm.

Khmer New Year Celebration: To ensure the availability of the venue, we have provisionally booked ahead,
Saturday 14th April 2018 at the VLC Centre.

I would like to express my gratitude to you all for your continued support and help to our community, which is in line with the common aim of CASUNIK, for the benefit of all Cambodians in the UK, thereby ensuring a positive image of Cambodia internationally.

On behalf of Casunik Executive committee members,

Mrs Sobopha Owen
President.