Rediscover Art with Phare Ponleu Selpak

P.H.A.R.E : Human and Artistic Heritage of Refugees and their Children

1.  CONTEXT:

In 1986, Véronique Decrop, a young French humanitarian, gives drawing lessons to nine young Cambodians in a refugee camp on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. These courses function as a therapy. Through art, these young people were able to express emotions on which it was difficult to place words.

In 1994, Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPSA) or “The Light of the Arts” was launched. The association improves the lives of children, young adults and their families through art schools, educational programs, and social support.

PPSA believes passionately in the arts as a vehicle for human development and social change. It wants to provide gainful employment to young Cambodians from difficult backgrounds and to participate in the revival of Cambodian artistic culture.

2.  MEANS:

Several projects have emerged since its creation to provide solid employment for PPSA graduates, including Phare Creative Studio (PCS) which offers graphic design and video animation services, Phare Performing Social Enterprise (PPSE) to showcase the talent of PPSA students by offering circus performances to tourists and locals. As well as Phare Ponleu Selpak France in 2010, whose mission is to support PPSA’s projects and programmes in France, notably through fundraising and support for foreign students.

The association has an establishment that now offers courses in seven disciplines, in addition to a kindergarten, a library and a social department.

More than 800 families receive direct or indirect assistance from PPS, 250 students are trained in circus arts, 230 students receive training in visual arts. The social impact is estimated at 2500 children thanks to free formal or artistic education.

3.  OUR IMPACT:

International Impact supports the NGO PPS in accessing and managing European Union funding.

4.  PROJECTS TO SUPPORT:

1° Construction of a new building for the music section

In 2014, part of the former music school collapsed and for security reasons the whole building had to be destroyed. Music students need a new space to create, play and collaborate. Therefore, the association is starting the construction of a brand new building, built in an ecological and sustainable way, consisting of five classrooms and a central pavilion where performances and gatherings will take place.

2° The Angkor Ultra Trail Race

The Phare NGO Ponleu Selpak joins the Ultra Trail Angkor race for the second time on January 18, 2020. The association proposes to residents and tourists available on this date to participate in the race for access to education and art for children in Cambodia.

The funds raised will be used to renovate the dance school. Indeed, the building would need a new, stronger floor, better insulation, air conditioning and a better roof to protect the students from rain and heat.

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