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SALT LAKE CITY — Visitors to the Cambodian and International Children Friend Organization orphanage will often find the children engaged in dance and song. Now thanks to a Logan man, they have a place to perform.
"There are so many people who now come and see them perform on the stage and see the delight in those children's eyes and the light they have for it, it just gives you great hope for people who have suffered so much," said Trace Skeen.
The school's founder, Botevy Keo, said the stage is a dream come true. "The children will have their own idea now. I am a true dancer."
Five years ago, KSL reporter Carole Mikita shared a story about the orphanage, and it helped inspire Skeen to get involved. Seeing the need for a stage, Skeen asked Utah State University's theater department if it would design and paint the backdrop. Skeen then transported it to Cambodia and built the rest of the stage.
The children held their debut performance in December.
I think if you looked at the ravaging of Cambodia, God's hand is there.
–Trace Skeen
"I think if you looked at the ravaging of Cambodia, God's hand is there." said Skeen.
When the Khmer Rouge took power 40 years ago, all religion was outlawed, schools were closed, books were burned and 2 million people lost their lives, including Botevy's father. After the war, Keo became a teacher and learned English through classes taught at an LDS church. She joined the church and with a couple of friends pooled resources to open the orphanage.
The orphanage is not affiliated with the church, but Keo uses music and some of the teachings to inspire the children to rise above their circumstances.
"The children that we have met that are growing into adults there are so tender in heart and have such firm testimonies of what life can be for them," explained Skeen.
Keo recently came to Salt Lake to meet with supporters of her orphanage, many of whom live in Utah and Idaho.
"I feel so grateful about the people that want to help my center, my children. I think it is the plan of God that let them see my center," said Keo.
Since the original story about the orphanage aired on KSL in 2010, one of the orphans has gone on to attend law school and in the last year, four of the children decided to serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Candice Madsen is a senior producer of Special Projects for KSL TV Email: cmadsen@ksl.com
