Twenty years ago Pat Sinuen was one of thousands in Cambodia who was seriously injured by a landmine explosion. By “fate” and not too long after his debilitating injury he was visited by a Jesuit Father who ultimately cared for and encouraged him to live, train and rehabilitate at the Jesuit’s Banteay Prieb training and rehabilitation center. After months of encouragement Sinuen accepted the Jesuit Father’s invitation and began his training and rehabilitation. Initially he trained and became a welder and then, because of his good work, he was invited to stay at the center and train others. Pat Sinuen, now 43, is a department supervisor. “My life would not be worth much without the opportunity the Jesuits gave me,” said Pat. “Now I am married and have 2 married daughters. My life is better because of the Jesuits and Banteay Prieb.
- Pat Sinuen is the welding supervisor at Banteay Prieb
- Banteay Prieb Center
- "Mekong" style wheelchair from Banteay Prieb Center
- Assembling wheelchairs at the Banteay Prieb Center
- Customized wheelchair at the Banteay Prieb Center
- Repairing a wheelchair at the Banteay Preib Center
- Sewing Center at Banteay Prieb
- Carving and ceramics at Banteay Prieb Center
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His successful rehabilitation, like many others who have and are attending the center, is due in part to partnerships like those of LDS Charities (LDSC) and the Jesuit Center. LDSC is the humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). The Jesuit Fathers are Catholic and provide humanitarian services in behalf of their church. The Banteay Prieb Center in Kandal Province, Cambodia is where, under their leadership and direction of the Jesuits, wheelchairs are designed, individualized and manufactured for the disabled.
The Partnership’s Mekong wheelchair design enables wheelchairs to be easily disassembled and shipped for quick individual use and wheelchair operating training. The customized chairs are uniquely designed to lesson the disabilities. “We are excited to see this program’s success and are now purchasing just over 30% of the wheelchairs we distribute in Cambodia from Banteay Prieb. We are very satisfied with their product. Their creativity in meeting the needs of wheelchair recipients and the quality of their work is second to none,” said Elder Meinzer of LDS Charities.
Working as partners for just over two years LDSC and Banteay Prieb have delivered more than 250 individualized wheelchairs to needy recipients. LDSC provides the money for purchasing materials and the wheelchairs are manufactured and “fitted” for the individual recipient by the Banteay Prieb Center. “Our success in meeting the needs of the individual is achieved by our seven, Jesuit distribution and repair centers located around the Tonle Sap Lake and from the support of LDS Charities and others like them,” said Father Keo Sovann, facility director. “Our partnership is proving to be very effective. We hope to continue working with Banteay Prieb for years to come,” said Elder Meinzer of LDSC.
The Banteay Prieb facility also offers training in carpentry, welding, sculpture and sewing. Disabled individuals are invited to come to the center for 1 year where they live as they receive their training. The students goal is to become self-reliant and able to support themselves and their family using their new skills to benefit their community by the end of their initial Banteay Prieb rehabilitation and training year. The Banteay Prieb center tracks each student for 5 years after they leave the center to ensure that they are doing well and succeeding.
“Teaching and encouraging self-reliance is key to Christian living,” saidElder Meinzer of LDS Charities. “Mormons and Jesuits working together at Jesuits’ Banteay Prieb facility are helping many Cambodians become self-reliant. The power of this Christian partnership can’t be underestimated”, he said.