Khmerization

Diane M. Rey - For The Capital
Annapolis Cove's Suzanne Cary sits on her yoga mat, surrounded by letters and contributions she has received for her project to help Cambodian children.

By DIANE M. REY
Published March 21, 2008

Suzanne Cary values her yoga practice for the calmness it brings to her mind.
But lately, all she can think about are images of Cambodian children dressed in rags, picking through mountains of garbage for bits of metal that bring in a few cents a day, maybe enough for a bowl of rice.
Those mental images have propelled the stay-at-home mother of three into action.
The family's large, comfortable home in Annapolis Cove seems worlds away from the squalor and desperation faced every day by the children she's trying to help.
According to the Cambodian Children's Fund Web site, www.cambodianchildrensfund.org, Cambodian children are among the most deprived and abused in the world. There, child prostitution and domestic violence are commonplace.
Education is not a reality for many, and the country's high poverty level has forced many children into labor at a tender age.
"The more you read about it, you can't believe that it's actually happening," Suzanne said.
Suzanne first learned about the plight of impoverished Cambodian children in January at a yoga workshop in Pennsylvania run by Seane Corn, a nationally known yoga teacher and activist who started an organization called "Off the Mat, Into the World." It's part of the Engage Network, a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that focuses on social change in the areas of the environment, education, health and children's issues.
Seane discussed an initiative called "Journey to Cambodia, A Seva Challenge," affiliated with the Cambodian Children's Fund, where volunteers will spend two weeks in Cambodia's capital of Phnom Penh next February, working with five local orphanages to rescue as many children as possible and building a well to bring in clean water.
"I know that one person can make a difference in the lives of others,"
Suzanne said. "Something about this story touched me and I know I have to go."
First, however, she has to raise $20,000 by the end of the year to make it happen.
Although Suzanne says she has no fundraising experience, "It's taking me completely outside my box." She's determined to stay upbeat and work steadily toward her goal.
The journey so far has been harder than she thought. A Long Island native and former asset manager with Freddie Mac in McLean, Va., Suzanne, 40, said she first approached large corporations to jump-start her fundraising efforts. But those she approached were reluctant to donate for causes outside the United States.
"I had to regroup," she said.
Since then, she has relied on her own network and word-of-mouth to spread the news. So far, she has been able to raise about $2,500 from individuals and businesses, with contributions ranging from $20 to $500.
Her children's dentist, Dr. Nilda Collins, contributed a check as well as 100 toothbrushes for Suzanne to distribute at the orphanages. She also has received support from Annapolis Painting Services and Bayside Pediatrics. Recently, Lynn Mosby, who received her flier through Heritage Learning Center, where Suzanne's youngest child, Patrick, 3, attends, connected her with the South Arundel Junior Women's Club, which gave a donation.
She figures she needs to raise an average of $500 per week to meet her year-end goal.
"It's a big task," Suzanne said. Unlike higher-profile causes, like cancer research or Special Olympics, the plight of children in Cambodia "might not be on the radar screen" for many people, Suzanne said. "But children are children ... and they truly have nothing."
She plans to pay her own travel expenses, with help from a matching fund program at Bank of America, where her husband, Miles, works, so that 90 percent of the donations she receives will go directly to support the housing, feeding, health care and education of as many needy children as possible.
Fortunately, she said, in Cambodia, a little can go a long way: It takes only $30 to feed one child for one month; $75 covers monthly education costs; $250 buys shoes for 50 children; $500 gives 90 children dental care for one month; and $1,200 covers one child's general expenses at the Cambodian Children's Fund facilities for one year.
Suzanne plans to use the remaining 10 percent of donations to start a scholarship fund to teach yoga to women in low-income areas in Annapolis. Details for that effort still are being worked out, she said.
To reach her goal, Suzanne has planned several fundraising events, starting next month.
She's holding a fundraising breakfast April 10 at her home for parents of kindergarten children at St. Mary's Elementary School, where her children, Austin, 9, and Shannon, 6, attend.
At 9 a.m. April 12, the Lotus Center is holding a special yoga class to benefit Suzanne's project. The center is at 820 Ritchie Highway, Suite 280, in Severna Park. To register, call 410-858-7925.
Suzanne also plans to sell lottery tickets for a $200 grocery gift card outside the Safeway in Edgewater from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 and May 4.
As soon as they arrive, the Evolve Yoga studio at Evolutions Body Clinic, 1834 George Ave., Annapolis, will sell tote bags made by Cambodian children out of recycled rice bags. The studio is where Suzanne studies vinyasa flow yoga with Tina Lanzoni. Proceeds from the sales also will help Suzanne close her fundraising gap.
Currently, Suzanne stays busy planning additional fundraising events to take place this summer, including a wine auction and more yoga benefit classes.
She's also looking for a business or restaurant to step forward as a sponsor. All the while, she's keeping the faith that things will come together to enable her to achieve her mission.
"Seane Corn has a quote I like: 'If not me, then who?'" she said. "I have the power to help create a legacy in Cambodia. Why wouldn't I take this challenge? I am so excited about this opportunity," Suzanne said in an e-mail.
For more information about the project, or to donate online, visit Suzanne's Web site at www.offthematintocambodia.org.
You also can send a check payable to the Exchange Network, with Suzanne Cary in the memo line, to 3204 Britania Court, Annapolis, MD, 21403. All donations are tax deductible.
Her name was Grace, and she brought the grace of classical ballet to generations of students in a 42-year teaching career, breaking down racial and cultural barriers along the way.

Annapolis dance legend Grace Clark retired in 1991 at the age of 79 and passed away in 1997, but her legacy lives on in the students she influenced.
Now, the Ballet Theatre of Maryland is trying to locate those students and incorporate their stories and experiences into an original ballet to be held in conjunction with the Annapolis Alive! program that celebrates the 300th anniversary of the city's charter.
"Annapolis Anthologies" will be performed at 7 p.m. April 19 and at 2 p.m. April 20 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis.
Dianna Cuatto, BTM artistic director, described Grace as "a courageous Annapolitan woman who gave women, African Americans and students from all cultural backgrounds the power of dance to break down the barriers to freedom."
Grace's daughter, Victoria Waidner, remembered the many locations throughout the city where her mother taught, beginning in 1949: the Stanton Community Center on West Washington Street; Parole Elementary School during the days of segregation; the old Keeney and Sons music store on West Street; the Annapolis YWCA, as well as in her home on Franklin Street.
Grace was the founder of the Annapolis Civic Ballet Company. She even taught ballet to football players at the Naval Academy to help them with their coordination, Victoria recalled.
"She did so much for the community of Annapolis ... She danced to the very end," said Victoria, a former principal who's now retired after 44 years in local public schools.
To contribute input to the project, call the Ballet Theatre of Maryland at 410-263-8289 or 410-224-5644.
To order tickets for the performances, call the Maryland Hall box office at 410-280-5640 or visit their Web site at www.marylandhall.org.
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