In early June, some of the Global Children Cambodia team members had the opportunity to visit Watt Samakki in Brooklyn to meet with some of our friends and receive blessings from the Venerable Monk, who took much time out of his day to bless each of us individually as well as to perform extended prayers and blessings for our health and happiness. As always, we were blown away by the generosity and kindness shown to us by everyone at the Watt. We appreciate so much how welcome and at home we feel every time we are lucky enough to be able to visit.
We also had the chance to meet with some members of the Cambodian Community in Washington, D.C., Sarita Nuch and Sharon Duong. We were able to learn about the Watt Kampuchea Krom in Nokesville, Virginia, which recently hosted a fundraising event to help complete more construction on the Watt. The Cambodian community in Virginia is growing, and we were thrilled to learn of the Watt’s successes. In even more exciting news, Sarita, who is a radio broadcaster with Voice of America, expressed an interest in interviewing Global Children Cambodia’s own Rith Phearun! We will certainly keep everyone posted! To learn more about Watt Kampuhea Krom, please visit their website.
Paulina Navarrete receiving a blessing from the Venerable Monk.
Board member Keith Chhe and his brother, active Global Children volunteer Duke Chhe, were also in attendance. We enjoyed catching up with them on a variety of topics (especially architecture and their restoration of the Watt’s front porch), as they eagerly anticipated their brother’s arrival in New York City. We wish him a safe and enjoyable journey.
Duke Chhe translates the blessings of the Venerable Monk to Global Children’s Team Members
Rith Phearun was also kind enough to offer us a tour of the interior and exterior of the building, translating the Khmer script for us and teaching us about the history of some of the statues outside the Watt, many of which are similar to those seen in Angkor Watt. It was especially kind of him to take the time to show us life “Behind the Scenes” in the Watt, and we greatly appreciated and enjoyed our tour!
The statute at the exterior of the Watt
We also learned that the Watt invites many of its neighbors, including the staff and able residents of the nursing home next door, to celebrations and events. Of course, this is in keeping with the spirit of acceptance and generosity we have always experienced there.
Our team receiving the blessings of the Venerable Monk!
Finally, we have to talk about the incredible meal lovingly provided for us by the Watt. Even though they had been up until past midnight hosting guests the night before, they still found the time to make sure we got a taste of authentic Cambodian cuisine! We were able to learn more about Phearun’s pursuit of his Master’s Degree at the City College of New York. We are extremely proud of him and were touched by the kind words he shared with our team.
Phearun and his Global Children family!