KAMA
Kampot, Cambodia
Blues spills out onto the street through the bougainvillea and luscious ferns. Colourful handpainted signs read 'Kampot Readers and Writers Festival' and 'KAMA'.
Inside the walls are adorned with block-print artwork, brightly coloured portraits and posters for Sreys' School of Rock and Kek Soon's Authentic Cuisine and Culture Tours. There's a small kitchen to the side which has the most delicious smells drifting out and an artist at work creating a huge piece involving lightbox tracings, neon lettering and black & white figures.
Before long, I get into one of many conversations with founders, Kek Soon and her partner, Julien, about art, music, local culture & cuisine alongside the many wonderful programs KAMA has on offer, created particularly for girls and women from disadvantaged communities. Soon's passion for cooking and sourcing local ingredients is more than evident in the most delicious meals and drinks that are served at KAMA.
I instantly fall in love with this colourful café on a corner of downtown Kampot.
KAMA - the Kampot Arts & Music Association is a community arts initiative and not-for-profit organisation whose mission is "to develop and present locally produced music and art to audiences around the world". Girls are taught skills across art production and music - whether it's the 10 day rock 'n' roll boot camp or learning the intricate craft of block-printing, KAMA aims to educate & train, create networking opportunities and develop a platform that ensures both visibility and economic viability to their chosen trade.
At the time of visiting, founders Kek Soon & Julien spoke of their plans to build FICAC - Fish Island Community Arts Centre. A project that is now in fruition and provides a new home for the programs and annual art events, as well as fusing their love of culture and cuisine.
Their mission is "to create a viable working environment in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts to work within the rural farmlands of Cambodia to create viable, meaningful community arts with the view to create hope, sustainability, employment, and enrichment in a poor fishing and farming community in Kampot, Cambodia."
Check out the amazing work this grassroots art community is up to @ficac_cambodia & https://www.facebook.com/kampotarts/
#SDG4 #qualityeducation #SDG5 #genderequality #SDG8 #decentworkandeconomicgrowth #notforprofit #socent #artsandculture #supportthearts