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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TV Cambodia Alphabet Book - Soksreinith
HEADLINE: Children’s Guide to Cambodia’s Culture and Language
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 06/15/2022 at 2:15pm
BYLINE: Ten Soksreinith
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Chicago, Illinois
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE(1st), BR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Zoom, Kiri Schwiet courtesy, news agency, webscreen capture
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV x__ RADIO __
TRT: 2:32
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
NOTES: ))
(INTRO)
[[Graphic designer Kiri Schwiet - a second-generation Cambodian American – has written a children’s book aimed at connecting kids with Cambodian culture. VOA’s Soksreinith Ten has more.]]
((NARRATOR))
((Courtesy: Kiri Schwiet))
As a child in Cambodia, Kiri Schwiet loved a sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves.
Sharing that snack in February 2021 with her two children in their Seattle (Washington State) home made her want to put her kids in touch with Khmer culture.
((Kiri Schwiet, Author and Illustrator)) (( In English))
((Mandatory credit: Zoom))
“I hadn’t really made a way for them to connect with Cambodian culture and Cambodian heritage in a way that made it meaningful for them.”
((NARRATOR))
((Courtesy: Kiri Schwiet))
So the graphic designer decided to write and illustrate a book on Cambodia for her kids.
Born in Thailand in 1992, Schwiet grew up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 2009, the family moved to Seattle, where there is a substantial Cambodian community.
Her book highlights Cambodia’s cultural and architectural heritage.
((Courtesy: Kiri Schwiet))
It includes basic instruction in Khmer, the language spoken by most Cambodians.
B-roll of Khmer Pronunciation of Rice Paddy - veal srai
((Courtesy: Kiri Schwiet))
She sees her books as a way for all children in the United States and elsewhere to explore Cambodia’s rich culture.
((Kiri Schwiet, Author and Illustrator)) (( In English ))
((Mandatory credit: Zoom))
“A lot of it was informed by, like choosing these words, my childhood and growing up there….
((Courtesy: Kiri Schwiet))
and what I had experienced first hand. This is an ABC book about Cambodia…
(Mandatory credit: Zoom))
…the language needs to be there, as an introduction to the culture and the language and about the country.”
((NARRATOR))
((Webscreen Capture: pragmaticmom))
Other English-language children’s books about Cambodia highlight the Khmer Rouge genocide…
((Courtesy: Kiri Schwiet))
…and the immigrant narrative. Schwiet’s ABCs of Cambodia casts Cambodia in a different light.
((Kiri Schwiet, author and illustrator)) ( In English )
((Mandatory credit: Zoom))
“I'm hoping people will respond to it and say ‘like, that's me.’ I'm also hoping that you know, we can put Cambodia on the map and we can say this…
((Mandatory credit: Zoom))
…this is the country that I'm from and I'm really proud of it. And, you know I want you to learn more about it too. And here is the fun way to learn about it.”
((NARRATOR))
((Courtesy: Kiri Swchiet))
In a few months, the book will be available to those who backed the book on Kickstarter, the platform …
((Webscreen Capture: Kickstarter)
… Schwiet used to fund its production. After that, it’ll be available for curious kids…
(Courtesy: Kiri Swchiet))
… and adults.
((Ten Soksreinith, for VOA News, Chicago, Illinois))
NewsML Media TopicsSociety
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJune 15, 2022 14:03 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
