Background

Kdei Karuna began working in Cambodia in 2005 as a branch of the Boston-based International Center for Conciliation (ICfC). Recognizing early on the unmet needs of Cambodians in dealing with historically-rooted conflicts, the organization began implementing projects in 2007 using ICfC’s Historical Conciliation methodology that sought to assist villagers in their efforts to heal these historical wounds. ICfC’s Historical Conciliation methodology aims to produce empathy and understanding from hatred and anger through a deep reflective dialogue process that helps people get “unstuck” from painful memories. After a number of years working within the rural areas of Cambodia, this methodology evolved to better fit the needs of Cambodians in dealing with their own past memories and in addressing conflict between groups. Kdei Karuna focuses on empowering villagers through a participatory approach that encourages the local production of creative ideas to promote healing and conciliation. This approach has been utilized in all its work, including within the Justice & History Outreach program, which has thus far implemented work in 15 different villages. The selection of these villages focuses efforts toward filling the knowledge gap of understanding how different identities – regional, ethnic, and class – affected individual experiences during the Khmer Rouge period. In 2010, the organization registered as a local non-governmental organization under the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Value

Kdei Karuna staff believe that teamwork and compassion are the keys to empowering local Cambodians to take control of their own healing. Through empathy and an endless curiosity to learn new things, Kdei Karuna staff are able to approach situations from the bottom up, seeking to understand situations through the perspectives of villagers so that positive change can happen effectively.

Vision

Kdei Karuna began working in Cambodia in 2005 as a branch of the Boston-based International Center for Conciliation (ICfC). Recognizing early on the unmet needs of Cambodians in dealing with historically-rooted conflicts, the organization began implementing projects in 2007 using ICfC’s Historical Conciliation methodology that sought to assist villagers in their efforts to heal these historical wounds. ICfC’s Historical Conciliation methodology aims to produce empathy and understanding from hatred and anger through a deep reflective dialogue process that helps people get “unstuck” from painful memories. After a number of years working within the rural areas of Cambodia, this methodology evolved to better fit the needs of Cambodians in dealing with their own past memories and in addressing conflict between groups. Kdei Karuna focuses on empowering villagers through a participatory approach that encourages the local production of creative ideas to promote healing and conciliation. This approach has been utilized in all its work, including within the Justice & History Outreach program, which has thus far implemented work in 15 different villages. The selection of these villages focuses efforts toward filling the knowledge gap of understanding how different identities – regional, ethnic, and class – affected individual experiences during the Khmer Rouge period. In 2010, the organization registered as a local non-governmental organization under the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia.