

	What's New at Mith Samlanh!
	Flea Market @ Friends starts 29 March Mith Samlanh, a local NGO for street children is holding its first Flea Market @ Friends from 9am to 4pm on Saturday March 29, 2008. The Flea Market will be held inside the Mith Samlanh Center (just behind Friends the Restaurant) and will feature a range of stalls selling new and second hand goods, as well as plenty of entertainment for children. There will also be performances by Japanese artist and musician Genta, and Cambodian Living Arts. Training workshops at Mith Samlanh will be open for business, so students in training can gain practical experience – beauty students will be offering manicures, hospitality students will be cooking snack food and hairdressing students will be creating fabulous new hairstyles! There are still a limited number of tables available for people wanting to sell goods at the market. If you are interested please contact Penny Tynan, Fundraiser, Land Campaign, on 012 333 423 or by email penny@friends-international.org Mith Samlanh, a local organization established in 1994, provides education, vocational training, food, medical care, shelter and support to around 2000 children each day. Proceeds from the Flea Market will go toward the purchase of the Mith Samlanh Center and all its facilities to keep its vital work close to the children who most need it. For further information: Penny Tynan Fundraiser, Land Campaign Friends-International Mobile 012 333 423 Email penny@friends-international.org
	Sport Athletic Competition On August 15 2007, four children from Mith Samlanh won medals at an Athletics Competition held at National Olympic Stadium, including one gold and three silver. Six children from Mith Samlanh participated in the Athletics Competition for Children with Learning Disabilities. The competition is designed to support children with learning difficulties to improve their confidence and to share their feelings with others. This competition was organized by the Special Olympics Committee of Cambodia. Children from eight NGOs including Mith Samlanh, Hagar Center, Nutrition Center, New Humanity Center, CCAMH, CT and others participated in this event.
	Mith Samlanh/Friends the first and only NGO to receive voluntary NGO certification system Award in Cambodia Mith Samlanh has just been awarded the Best Practice Award for NGO Good Practice by the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia for compliance with all standards in the Code of Ethical Principles and Minimum Standards for NGOs in Cambodia. The principles are based upon moral and ethical values, which are held to be important through out Cambodia, in combination with standards of Good Organisational Practice (both locally and globally). Around 2000 Non Government Organisations (NGOs) are registered with the Ministry of Interior, with more than 100 applying to the CCC to be a member of Good Practice NGOs. Of the 49 who were selected to be a member of NGO Good Practice, 9 applied to be Best Practice NGOs, with Mith Samlanh being the only NGO to be awarded the status of Best Practice NGO in Cambodia. Mith Samlanh Director Map Somaya said, “We are honored to be recognized as a Best Practice NGO. Being acknowledged as the only NGO in Cambodia to go beyond these Good Practice Principles confirms that our work with the street children of Cambodia is effective and our impact on improving the lives of the children and their families is truly significant.”
	Quarterly Show 10 July 2007, The Culture Team will be celebrated its quarterly show on “My opinion” The show will include the performances of the children, singing, traditional dancing and music, modern dancing, a gesture dancing, drama and comedy. Please join us from 2:00-4:00 pm at Club Friends
	Friends 'N' Stuff Friends 'n' Stuff has re-opened with a fresh new look. Drop by for a fun shopping experience and check out our funky array of second-hand items, one of a kind colourful accessories, and more! Shop is open from: Monday to Saturday, 11AM-9PM
	Appeal To Save Mith Samlanh's Main Center Friends-International’s main Cambodian partner Mith Samlanh was faced in early 2006 with the possibility of eviction from its main center. In order to secure the future of the program and the futures of Cambodian street children, Mith Samlanh has decided to buy the property where its core activities are based. MORE DETAIL
	Cookbook Launch in Australia The official international launch of The Best of Friends cook book was held July 18, 2006 at Champions in Federation Square, Melbourne. The Best of Friends was hosted by Mr. Don Argus Chairman of BHP Billiton, and launched by The Hon. Alexander Downer, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Australia. The book and the launch have been entirely supported by BHP Billiton. We would like to give particular thanks to Tom Harley, Tom Kwok, Anne Warren, Heather Murphy and Alana Birchall for making this stunning event possible. The book is available at all Mith Samlanh business outlets in Cambodia and overseas at www.booksforcooks.com.au
	COOK BOOK Just in time for the holidays "The Best of Friends The Restaurant" Cook Book is for sale now at all friends outlets and Monument books in Cambodia To order our book internationally please contact: Tim White Books for Cooks new & old books about wine, food & the culinary arts bought & sold 233-235 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065 Australia Tel: 613 8415 1415 Fax: 613 8415 1418 email: twhite@booksforcooks.com.au website: www.booksforcooks.com.au All proceeds of this book go to support Mith Samlanh projects. For more information please contact gustav.friends@everyday.com.kh or call +855 12 953-960.
	A thank-you letter from the King On the occasion of the 52nd Birthday of His Majesty Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni; Ms. Mâp Somaya, on behalf of the children and staff of Mith Samlanh, sent H.M the King of Cambodia a letter with some meaningful drawings attached congratulating him on this special event and wished him all the best. In return, His Majesty Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, on May 27, 2005, sent Ms. Mâp Somaya , children, and staff an official thank-you letter and granted everybody with 5 Buddhist wishes: Long life, Beauty, Peace, Physical Strength, and Wisdom.
	Mith Samlanh's delegation made a courtesy visit to H.M. the King of Cambodia Mith Samlanh’s delegation, headed by Ms. Ly Sophat – the Program Director of Mith Samlanh, made a courtesy visit to H.M.Norodom Sihamoni the King of Cambodia on Saturday January 8, 2005 at 11h 00 at the Royal Palace. The delegation presented H.M. the King a report on activities and achievements of Mith Samlanh. The delegation was comprised of: • Ms. Ly Sophat • Mr. Pin Sokhom • Mr. Mann Phally • Ms. Oun Monileap • Mr. Sebastien Marot
	Medal by "La société d'Encouragement au Progrès" Sébastien Marot was awarded the silver medal for progress, for his work in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos in favor of street children (Paris, December 06, 2003).
	Friends on the Big Screen A movie made by the children at Friends, "Life Lesson", has just been screened at two film festivals in the US, including the L.A. Independent Film Festival in Hollywood. The Independent Film Channel is currently looking to buy the film to be aired throughout America.
	My name is... A new book is being compiled based on children's stories, with photos by Nicolas Rambaud. Watch this space for the publication date!
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