We at Visa Services Canada support a charity in Cambodia, and we want to share this charity with you in the hope you will help.
Every year VSC gives a few tonnes of rice to the LIFE AND HOPE ASSOCIATION. The rice is purchased locally in Cambodia, so the money goes to rice farmers and local producers, as well as the food going to needy locals.
The LIFE AND HOPE ASSOCIATION in Siem Reap (the home of Angkor Wat) Cambodia is a non-profit, non-governmental and non-political organization, established in 2005 by the Young Monks of Wat Damnak, Young Khmer Youths and generous friends. These people saw the urgent needs of orphans, vulnerable children, poor children, street Children, (also called Rubbish Children and beggar children) etc, who are living miserable lives. LHA is dedicated and committed to alleviate the poverty and ignorance of Cambodians and to encourage their equal treatment in Cambodian society by providing physical and moral support.
LHA works with several active villages in and surrounding the Siem Reap and Bakong District, with aim to alleviate poverty/difficulty of poor families, especially Cambodian Children by supporting them with basic needs such as foods, clothing, school supplies, health services, education, accommodation etc.
To see their organization and works, please visit their website here:
Life and Hope
Wat Damnak/LHA
LHA is run by the Venerable Hoeurn Somnieng. Somnieng (pronounced "som-nyang") is a 31 year old senior Buddhist monk who has become something of a celebrity. You can see him and the work of LHA on YouTube.com
If you are visiting Angkor Wat, and staying in Siem Reap, why not visit our monk, Somnieng, and have him show you what they do for the vulnerable and poor. LHA is located in Wat Damnak in Salakomreuk Commune, Siem Reap/Angkor. Practically, this means they are just the other side of the river from old town (the tourist centre) of Siem Reap. In fact, Somnieng is probably only a 15 minute walk away from your hotel. You can call Somnieng at Tel: (855)92 929 962, or email him at somnieng2002@yahoo.com
All of the money you give goes to the works of the charity. We at VSC have seen with our own eyes that the money is spent directly on the works and food, and not on the charity itself.
RICE
A tonne of rice, grown and bought locally in Siem Reap, costs about $250. This is distributed by the monks to needy families and vulnerable children. Without the provision of the basic food, many would starve, and none would go to school.
FOOD SUPPORT
LHA divided food support groups into two kinds:
1: Very poor children and disabled people, which costs $5 per month per person, and provides 17kg of rice, 2 bottles of soy sauce and 2 tins of canned fish.
2: Special very poor children who could not go to school at all without LHA support, which costs $18 per month. This includes 35–50kg of rice, 10 bottles of soy sauce, 10 tins of canned fish, 1kg of oil, 1kg of salt, and other items.
Maybe giving food or rice isn't your style of giving. Perhaps you think charity would be better directed to education or housing. LHA has a number of projects to suit every taste in giving.
HOUSING
$1000 buys a wooden-house, 4.5m x 5.30m, for unfortunate families. The family and the monks build the house in 2-3 days.
SCHOOLING
Send a child or adult to school. Education is the road out of poverty.
Childhood Education:
$40 a year (primary school children)
$75 a year (grade 7 – 9)
Adult Education:
$125 a year (grade 9 – 12)
$425 a year (University)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Having the tools to go to school is important, and this cost $9 per year per child. It includes a school uniform, school bag, school-books, two pens, pencil, erasers, sharpener, pencil-case, drawing paper, colour pencils, ruler, and other items.
SEWING TRAINING CENTRE
Sewing is an extremely important aspect of the Cambodian economy, both formal and informal. Learning to sew can mean a person can secure a regular job, and will have a skill other than rice farming. LHA runs a training centre, and can always use sponsors, or even the money for a new sewing machine.
We at VSC urge you to give generously to LHA. They are really working hard to improve the lives of so many needy people who often live on less than $2. per day.
Ven. Hoeurn Somnieng, Executive Director
Life and Hope Association
Wat Damnak 0211 (Buddhist Temple)
Wat Damnak Village, Salakomreuk Commune
Siem Reap, Angkor Province, Cambodia
.
05 December 2009
04 December 2009
KENYA CLOSED 16 Dec 2009 - 6 Jan 2010
The Kenyan High Commission in Ottawa will be closed for almost three weeks starting on Wednesday 16 December 2009. The visa office will re-open on Thursday 07 January 2010 for all your visa needs.
The Kenyans advise travellers to acquire their visas at the Nairobi International Airport upon arrival. This is safe as the temporary closure of the high commission is known at the airport.
The Kenyans advise travellers to acquire their visas at the Nairobi International Airport upon arrival. This is safe as the temporary closure of the high commission is known at the airport.
13 October 2009
New fee for Viet Nam
Basic tourist and business visas for Viet Nam just got a little more expensive.
As of today the Embassy of Viet Nam in Canada is charging $93 for a simple visa, good for a single entry.
The prices for other visas remain the same as before.
Click here for visas to Viet Nam.
As of today the Embassy of Viet Nam in Canada is charging $93 for a simple visa, good for a single entry.
The prices for other visas remain the same as before.
Click here for visas to Viet Nam.
25 September 2009
World Tourism Day
Happy World Tourism Day from myself and all the staff at Visa Services Canada.
The theme this year is Celebrating Diversity, and the 2009 hosts are various countries in Africa. The actual day is Sunday 27 September.
Click here for the World Tourism Organization, a UN body headquartered in Spain.
Pam.
The theme this year is Celebrating Diversity, and the 2009 hosts are various countries in Africa. The actual day is Sunday 27 September.
Click here for the World Tourism Organization, a UN body headquartered in Spain.
Pam.
21 September 2009
Russian visas for UK & USA citizens
Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain now have to apply for Russian visas using the "long form" application. As of today, 21 September 2009, the Russian embassy in Canada will only accept applications from UK citizens which are made on the same form as is already required of citizens of the Untied States of America.
Click here for Russian visa details and basic form.
Click here to contact us for the special "Long Form" for U.K. and U.S.A. citizens.
Click here for Russian visa details and basic form.
Click here to contact us for the special "Long Form" for U.K. and U.S.A. citizens.
09 September 2009
Brazil LOWERS visa fees
Yes, you read that correctly: Brazil is lowering visa fees. As of Monday 14 September 2009 Brazil is charging less for all sorts of visas.
Canadian tourists to Brazil pay $34 less than before, with the new tourist visa costing only $119.
Canadian busibess visitors pay $42 less, with the Business T2 visa costing only $112.
Even US citizens living in Canada get a price break. They formerly paid a whopping $270 for a visa, but now pay only $210: a saving of $60.
We suspect the reason is the strong Canadian dollar, and a growing thirst for tourist and business visitors.
Canadian tourists to Brazil pay $34 less than before, with the new tourist visa costing only $119.
Canadian busibess visitors pay $42 less, with the Business T2 visa costing only $112.
Even US citizens living in Canada get a price break. They formerly paid a whopping $270 for a visa, but now pay only $210: a saving of $60.
We suspect the reason is the strong Canadian dollar, and a growing thirst for tourist and business visitors.
10 August 2009
Child Abductions
This is the season for child abductions. Summer, with the holidays and trips abroad, is the prime time for children to be abducted, usually by the non-custodial parent. Winter holidays are also a significant time for abductions.
In order to travel abroad, all Canadians, including newborns and children, require a passport. Click here for Passport Canada.
If you are concerned that a non-custodial parent might try to get a passport for your child, you can take preventative action. If you fear the abduction of your child, you may notify any passport office in Canada (or the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate if you are abroad) to have your child’s name placed on the Passport Control List, a list that puts officials on alert. Before your child’s name is included on this list, you will be asked to provide the names and birth dates of both parents and the child, as well as copies of any custody-related documents. Any attempt by another person to get a passport for that child will trigger an alarm, and the custodial parent will be notified. No passport will be issued in these circumstances.
However, many children are abducted, and there are only limited ways and means of securing their return to Canada.
Canada is a party to the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This is a multilateral treaty which seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international boundaries by providing a procedure to bring about their prompt return. Click here for the Hague Convention.
The objects of the Convention are to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in any Contracting State; and to ensure that rights of custody and of access under the law of one Contracting State are effectively respected in the other Contracting States.
The problem is that while most of the state members of the convention are western developed countries with stable governments and common or civil law systems, the difficult countries of common destination for abducted children tend to be less-developed countries, often under the rule of Islamic or Sharia legal systems. This means there is usually no recognition of maternal parental rights of custody or control. Since the majority of mixed marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims involves a Muslim father and non-Muslim mother, abductions to Muslim countries either go unanswered, or are decided in the Islamic courts in favour of the father who lost custody in a Western country. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are notoriously difficult countries from which to recover an abducted child.
As part of an effort to remedy this situation, Canada has signed to family consular agreements with western-oriented nations: Egypt and Lebanon. Neither is a member of the Hague Convention, but both work with Canada on child abudction cases.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada has developed a public information booklet called "International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents" that can be seen on the Internet. This booklet comprises all relevant information on how to prevent and to handle abductions in Canada. It also refers to useful websites on the matter, including those of some of the provinces and territories.
If your child has been abducted to or is being retained in a country other than Canada and you are aware of the location, you should contact the office of your provincial or territorial Attorney General and/or Minister of Justice. These departments have special sections designated as the central authority for your province or territory, which are responsible for the administration of the Hague Convention. Your central authority will provide you with a copy of the Convention-approved application form and other information about issues under the Convention.
In order to travel abroad, all Canadians, including newborns and children, require a passport. Click here for Passport Canada.
If you are concerned that a non-custodial parent might try to get a passport for your child, you can take preventative action. If you fear the abduction of your child, you may notify any passport office in Canada (or the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate if you are abroad) to have your child’s name placed on the Passport Control List, a list that puts officials on alert. Before your child’s name is included on this list, you will be asked to provide the names and birth dates of both parents and the child, as well as copies of any custody-related documents. Any attempt by another person to get a passport for that child will trigger an alarm, and the custodial parent will be notified. No passport will be issued in these circumstances.
However, many children are abducted, and there are only limited ways and means of securing their return to Canada.
Canada is a party to the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This is a multilateral treaty which seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction and retention across international boundaries by providing a procedure to bring about their prompt return. Click here for the Hague Convention.
The objects of the Convention are to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in any Contracting State; and to ensure that rights of custody and of access under the law of one Contracting State are effectively respected in the other Contracting States.
The problem is that while most of the state members of the convention are western developed countries with stable governments and common or civil law systems, the difficult countries of common destination for abducted children tend to be less-developed countries, often under the rule of Islamic or Sharia legal systems. This means there is usually no recognition of maternal parental rights of custody or control. Since the majority of mixed marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims involves a Muslim father and non-Muslim mother, abductions to Muslim countries either go unanswered, or are decided in the Islamic courts in favour of the father who lost custody in a Western country. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are notoriously difficult countries from which to recover an abducted child.
As part of an effort to remedy this situation, Canada has signed to family consular agreements with western-oriented nations: Egypt and Lebanon. Neither is a member of the Hague Convention, but both work with Canada on child abudction cases.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada has developed a public information booklet called "International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents" that can be seen on the Internet. This booklet comprises all relevant information on how to prevent and to handle abductions in Canada. It also refers to useful websites on the matter, including those of some of the provinces and territories.
If your child has been abducted to or is being retained in a country other than Canada and you are aware of the location, you should contact the office of your provincial or territorial Attorney General and/or Minister of Justice. These departments have special sections designated as the central authority for your province or territory, which are responsible for the administration of the Hague Convention. Your central authority will provide you with a copy of the Convention-approved application form and other information about issues under the Convention.
Child Passports
All Canadians need a passport to travel abroad, even if they are newborns or small children.
Under Canadian passport rules, either parent or guardian can legally apply for the child's passport. This means a non-custodial parent could possibly acquire a passport for a child, then take them out of Canada without the knowledge or permission of the custodial parent.
Passport Canada states "both parents are requested to participate in obtaining passport services for their child and to sign the application form. The other parent may be contacted. To avoid possible delays, we strongly recommend that you provide a long-form birth certificate showing information on both parents. Where a legal guardian is the applicant, the other legal guardian as the case may be is also requested to participate."
"Where a court order or agreement exists referring to custody of the child, only the person with custodial rights may apply. All documents that refer to custody or mobility of, or access to, the child must be provided. If a divorce has been granted, a copy of the divorce judgement or order must also be provided. Where joint custody provisions exist, either parent may apply."
Click here for a passport application for children.
Under Canadian passport rules, either parent or guardian can legally apply for the child's passport. This means a non-custodial parent could possibly acquire a passport for a child, then take them out of Canada without the knowledge or permission of the custodial parent.
Passport Canada states "both parents are requested to participate in obtaining passport services for their child and to sign the application form. The other parent may be contacted. To avoid possible delays, we strongly recommend that you provide a long-form birth certificate showing information on both parents. Where a legal guardian is the applicant, the other legal guardian as the case may be is also requested to participate."
"Where a court order or agreement exists referring to custody of the child, only the person with custodial rights may apply. All documents that refer to custody or mobility of, or access to, the child must be provided. If a divorce has been granted, a copy of the divorce judgement or order must also be provided. Where joint custody provisions exist, either parent may apply."
Click here for a passport application for children.
06 August 2009
Thai tourist visa fee waiver
Canadian tourists are allowed to travel to Thailand without a visa provided their stay is for less than 30 days. Any stay over thirty days requires a visa.
If you intend to stay for more than 30 days, you need a visa. The Thai Embassy in Ottawa normally charges $35 for this visa, but had waived the fee in an attempt to attract long-term tourists during the economic downturn.
The programme has recently been extended until March 2010, meaning that the visa is still free, and will be so for another seven months. You still need the visa, but the visa cost is now officially "gratis" (free).
Click here for Thai visa details.
Click here for Thai visa forms.
If you intend to stay for more than 30 days, you need a visa. The Thai Embassy in Ottawa normally charges $35 for this visa, but had waived the fee in an attempt to attract long-term tourists during the economic downturn.
The programme has recently been extended until March 2010, meaning that the visa is still free, and will be so for another seven months. You still need the visa, but the visa cost is now officially "gratis" (free).
Click here for Thai visa details.
Click here for Thai visa forms.
05 August 2009
Zambia - now with multiple entry
Good news for those of you going on safari to southern and eastern Africa: Zambia now offers double and multiple entry tourist visas.
The price for a single entry visa remains US$50., while the new double and multiple entry visas for tourist and business travel area only US$80. Forms and requirements remain the same.
This change makes it easier to people to do multi-country safaris, and to follow the large animal herds during the annual great migration. This also makes a visit to Victoria Falls better by allowing re-entry to Zambia after crossing into Zimbabwe. The town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, also supports tourist visits to the falls, and is a short hop (13 km) across the Zambezi River border from Livingstone, Zambia. For those liking train travel, the Zambian railway runs to Livingstone beside the falls. There are four trains per week from Lusaka, the capital city, to Livingstone. Trains take 15-18 hours to do the journey, and tickets cost about $8 each. Most tourists fly or take busses.
Click here for an on-screen fillable Zambian visa application and instructions.
The price for a single entry visa remains US$50., while the new double and multiple entry visas for tourist and business travel area only US$80. Forms and requirements remain the same.
This change makes it easier to people to do multi-country safaris, and to follow the large animal herds during the annual great migration. This also makes a visit to Victoria Falls better by allowing re-entry to Zambia after crossing into Zimbabwe. The town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, also supports tourist visits to the falls, and is a short hop (13 km) across the Zambezi River border from Livingstone, Zambia. For those liking train travel, the Zambian railway runs to Livingstone beside the falls. There are four trains per week from Lusaka, the capital city, to Livingstone. Trains take 15-18 hours to do the journey, and tickets cost about $8 each. Most tourists fly or take busses.
Click here for an on-screen fillable Zambian visa application and instructions.
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