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First hand look at Hagar programs in Phnom Penh
In September 2014, a wonderfully diverse group that included a judge, a hairdresser, two law professors, an ABC producer, three lawyers, an outback nurse, two property developers, two CEOs of NGOs, a former SAS bodyguard and a legal student came together in Phnom Penh for the Hagar Australia Justice Tour 2014.
The itinerary included high-level briefings from a range of Hagar stakeholders including child protection agencies, experts in law, trauma recovery, after care, social enterprise and client care. The tour was also an opportunity to meet Hagar staff working directly with clients.
The Justice Tour is an annual trip to Phnom Penh organised by Hagar Australia for a small group of people connected to Hagar's professional and philanthropic networks. Participants also gain a deeper understanding of the trauma backdrop of Cambodia, view the Killing Fields and hear briefings from judiciary involved in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (Khmer Rouge Tribunal) currently trying figures involved in the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979). It is a truly immersive, unforgettable experience.
Each year, this tour results in wonderful outcomes including pro bono work, speaking engagements about the work Hagar does, donations, lasting friendships and professional connections.
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Cambodian Client Care Expert in Australia
This October, Hagar Australia is privileged to be hosting Hagar Cambodia's Client Care Manager Sreyna Sam. Our first Cambodian National visitor, Sreyna has her own remarkable story – of beginning her studies in a refugee camp during the Pol Pot regime through to her exceptional career in counselling, health, recovery, transitional care and her MBA in Management.
For the past nine years, Sreyna has been working with Hagar clients. Her direct experience with the trauma of war, discrimination and hardship have deeply affected her outlook. Her studies of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and work with Hagar clients have greatly influenced her approach to the care of survivors of human rights abuse along with her belief in the fundamental value of love and hope.
Join us at one of these upcoming events to hear Sreyna share her incredible story and the stories of survivors who have been in her care.
Perth
Supporters Talk | 13 October, 5.30pm, Mount Lawley
Melbourne
Supporters Talk | 15 October, 6pm, South Melbourne
Lunch to Liberate | 16 October, Circa The Deck, St Kilda
Run for Freedom
The Melbourne Marathon is just weeks away on October 12! Join our team of freedom fighting runners (including our enthusiastic CEO) and invite your friends or colleagues to sponsor you to run. Find out about more races and how to fundraise at the Hagar events page here.
Phnom Penh and Kabul
Professionals with strong experience in business/ law/ operations are needed to support Hagar International Strategy Director Katy Bailey in Phnom Penh and Hagar Afghanistan Country Director Sara Shinkfield for several months. Please direct inquiries/applications to Tess.Horsley@hagar.org.au
Melbourne
In the lead up to Christmas, the Hagar Melbourne office requires a volunteer to assist with the major Christmas campaign. Approximately three days' work. Must enjoy stuffing envelopes! Please direct inquiries/applications to Tess.Horsley@hagar.org.au
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It has been a wonderful past couple of months. This amazing train called Hagar is going at full speed. I am now in Hanoi for our annual country leaders strategic planning meeting, sitting with incredible folk who have come in from places including Kabul and Phnom Penh delivering some of the edgiest recovery services in the world. I won’t tell you we aren’t tired. We are. However the commitment to Hagar and the survivors we serve is fierce.
On each of my many trips I have done to South East Asia, I always find one client who touches me. This trip Thach was the one. During the trip, Thach was employed as a photographer, doing a great job documenting Hagar's work. It is a very different story from my previous encounters with her. When I first met Thach a few years ago, her energy was dense and angry. As she has recovered, she has become stronger and has found her calling as a photographer. Simultaneously, as a person she has become softer and softer. I feel her sense of pride, her shift from anger to openness. There is no better proof of her recovery. She now cuddles and is studying photography at university.
Warmly,
Kate Kennedy
CEO, Hagar Australia
Click the image above to watch Thach's story.
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Style for Life
In partnership with Eleven Australia, the second annual Style for Life was a resounding success. On Sunday, July 2, 2014 hair salons across the country opened their doors and volunteered, donating all proceeds to Hagar. The event raised an amazing $38,132 which will support 30 Hagar survivors through the Economic Empowerment program in Cambodia.
Sydney Cocktail Party
Led by Nahji Chu from misschu, Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation and InDreams Wine, we were excited to host our first function in Sydney on August 28, 2014. It was a fantastic night with Emma Alberici, host of ABC's Lateline as MC and Paul Sumner from Mossgreen as auctioneer. Together with the support of Jac+Jack, Sydney Theatre Company, Sally Ross, Siobhan Way Jewellery, Murphy Gozzard Hair Community and other generous friends of Hagar, the event raised $56,000 to support the Girls' Recovery Shelter in Cambodia. See more photos.
Update on Afghanistan Fundraiser
In February 2014, Hagar Australia raised more than $37,000 in a fundraiser to support Hagar Afghanistan. The proceeds were immediately invested in the services of Kabul solicitor Tamina, a recent graduate of Kabul University.
Tamina has been helping clients access their right to identity through registering for official identification documents, or correcting incomplete or erroneous ID documents; assisting with unofficial divorce cases; promoting the rights of children and women and assisting with sexual exploitation and hard labour trafficking cases.
Hagar Afghanistan Country Director Sara Shinkfield reports that Tamina also ran human rights workshops for boys. "Before beginning the workshop, she asked the boys: “At what age do we begin to have human rights?” to which they responded: "At six years of age", or "Eight years of age". Tamina explained to them that they have rights even with they are a newborn baby and provided some introductory information as to the notion of human rights. She plans to conduct a similar introductory workshop to other Hagar clients." Clearly, there is so much demand for specialist services for clients in Kabul.
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