The Cambodia-Japan Friendship Skills Training Centre was officially opened on Feb.

10. Two new buildings, which house the Centre, were constructed under the coordination

of the Japan Sotoshu Relief Committee (JSRC), a secular, non-profit organization

that receives support from Zen Buddhists throughout Japan.

The Centre is located on the grounds of the Beong Trabek High School. The facility

provides training in sewing, embroidery, electronics and carpentry. More than 1,000

junior and senior high school students are currently enrolled in training programs

lasting up to six months.

"A skills training centre of this kind may help students get the technical knowledge

necessary to enable them to choose appropriate professions in the future so they

can become useful people in society," said Mr. Oum Hoeung, director of the Phnom

Penh Municipality Education Service at the opening ceremony.

The two buildings cost more than U.S. $380,000 to construct, with funds provided

by the Vluchteling Foundation of Holland, Japanese individual and government donations,

UNDP, and UNICEF. The centre's operational costs are being covered by JSRC.