Life and Hope comes to Australia: Venerable Somnieng’s Week in Sydney

It has been an absolute delight having Venerable Somnieng visit us in Sydney over the past week. After welcoming him at the airport early on Monday morning, we drove him out to Northwestern Sydney where most of the Cambodian community has settled. For his first two days, he stayed at the magnificent Wat Khemarangsaram, a Khmer Buddhist Temple in Bonnyrigg where he got to know many members of the Khmer community.

Since coming into the city on Wednesday, we've had the pleasure of his company in Paddington, and have had a lot of time to catch up on developments in Siem Reap, and particularly the impressive recent happenings at LHA. He told us a lot about the 28 students who just graduated from the Sewing Training Center and the progress on the two new houses being constructed on the PAGE building site.

On Thursday evening, there was a very memorable reception held in Venerable Somnieng’s honor at the offices of Heathley Ltd., an investment management company where Peter Hemming is managing director. In welcoming the 35 invited guests, Peter announced that Heathley would commit to sponsoring the 12 new girls who will be coming to PAGE when the new buildings are completed. It was a wonderful gesture that will allow this important program to grow. After guests mingled over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, Venerable Somnieng made a brief presentation about the activities of Life and Hope Association. There was a great deal of interest and many guests indicated that they would be offering support to LHA.

On Friday evening, there was an equally delightful reception held at the beautiful home of Ann Sherry and Michael Hogan. Once again, 50 guests were treated to cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they wandered round Ann and Michael’s magnificent historic home known as The Abbey. Once everyone had gathered, Venerable Somnieng explained a little background of LHA, and his vision for how it will expand its impact in the future. Once again, these comments resonated strongly with the attendees, and for the next hour and a half, he was surrounded by guests asking questions, making commitments of support, and promising to visit him in Siem Reap.

But on Sunday, Venerable Somnieng leaves us. It's been a wonderful week, and we know he leaves Sydney with some great memories, some strong commitments of support, and a great many new friends. We wish him a successful and enjoyable onward journey, and send him off with an invitation to visit us again soon.

Chris Bartlett.

Venerable Somnieng addressing guests