‘The City With Spirit’ gets a sister [A positive Cambodian-U.S partnership]

ANDONG VILLAGE, Cambodia, is becoming a sister city to Cleveland. Attending the announcement Monday were staff members of Cleveland’s People for Care and Learning, which has taken on a project of rebuilding the Cambodian community. State Rep. Kevin Brooks, third from right, displays a state document recognizing the sister city partnership. From left are Jennifer Tollefson, Laura Simpson, Bill George, Fred Garmon, Brooks, Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland and Shirley Garmon.
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by LARRY C. BOWERS,
The Cleveland Daily Banner Staff Writer

Tennessee’s 170th General Assembly paused recently during its busy schedule in Nashville to recognize a unique relationship between the city of Cleveland and a Cambodian community as they enter into a sister city partnership.

Cleveland is now the sister city of Andong Village, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

People for Care and Learning, based in Cleveland, has taken on a three-year project of rebuilding the poverty-stricken city in Cambodia. Infrastructure is now being constructed and homes for residents will follow.

Bill George of the Church of God World Missions discussed the global project at last week’s Rotary Club luncheon at the Mountain View Inn.

State Rep. Kevin Brooks and Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland met with George and with Fred Garmon of PCL Monday morning to announce the sister-city relationship, and view documents from the Cleveland Council and the General Assembly.

Brooks and Speaker of the House Beth Harwell signed the state document, which declared “Cleveland and Andong Village have joined together to form a special bond, learning about each other’s history and culture, establishing friendships, and linking community programs and projects for both adult and youth participants.”

It added that a spirit of “friendship, goodwill, and the development of educational, cultural, social, and economic exchanges between the people of Andong Village and Cleveland will strengthen knowledge and understanding between these two great cities and so, in turn, transcend national and political boundaries to form a foundation for the peace and well-being of mankind.”

Rowland, according to the documents, has pledged to give his full support and encouragement to People for Care and Learning, a non-government humanitarian organization, as PCL partners with the Phnom Penh municipality and the people of Andong Village in building the city.

The state document states, “self-interests are well-served by encouraging citizens of both countries to become better acquainted with one another and to engage in mutually beneficial activities, particularly in educational systems, social and cultural programs, economic development, and the establishment of long-lasting friendships.”

A special logo has been designed to show the new relationship of the two communities, located a world apart.