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Hollywood Actress Visits Heifer Projects

On August 19, 2011, during a trip to Cambodia, Hollywood actress Serinda Swan visited Heifer projects in three villages of Svay Chrum district, Svay Rieng province. She visited with self-help group (SHG) participants to learn how their lives have changed since joining the Heifer project and how they are contributing to the development their community. She intends to share their stories of impact with people in the United States and Canada.

August is rainy season, so farmers were busy transplanting rice seedlings. Despite heavy rains, Swan enjoyed a nice view of green fields alongside the road to the project site.

Beung village project participants shared stories about how they practice the 12 Cornerstones in their family and daily life. Swan discovered how the group members use what they've learned in trainings, especially regarding group savings and how the animals received through the project boost their income and help them afford education for their children. Swan was impressed by their generosity. "The 12 Cornerstones are the same as we use in the west," Swan told members. "It is wonderful that you implement the 12 Cornerstones in your life. You treat others, your family, and animals well. What you are doing is very important because you all are setting an example for other people in your community. The more you do it, the more awareness it brings around the world."

Swan attended a Passing on the Gifts (POG) celebration where chickens and piglets were given to new project members. She said, "I got involved with Heifer because of how hard everyone is working, the gifts you give back, and how well you treat your family and animals. It is amazing that a lot of people take gifts and keep them, but you are taking gifts and giving them back to new people. I think that the act is wonderful."

While visiting a women's group in Snay Kroeung village, Swan observed a literacy class that provides numeric and literacy skills to women. Since joining the project, the women have become empowered. She acknowledged that, although the women didn't choose their past, they choose their future and that by participating in the project, they are all choosing a much wider future, not only for themselves, but for their children. "You are never too old to learn how to read or write or farm," said Swan. Before returning to Phnom Penh, Swan visited a children's club in Beoung Kreal village. The children welcomed her warmly by singing and playing classic music. She was fascinated by their activities and shared the story of how her dream came true. Her story inspired the children to work harder, learn harder, and study harder.

"Everybody told me, when I was younger, 'No, you can't be that; No, you can't do this, No, you can't do that;' I tried and worked hard, and I went to school. I practiced my passion, and I am now in Hollywood. I get to live my dream. I get to be an actress," Swan told the children. She added, "Children can make change, if we invest time and education in children." In a reflection she shared with the Heifer Cambodia team after her visit to the project site, Swan said, "It is an honor for me to be here. I am able to share these impact stories with people in the United States and Canada, and a lot of them might want to get involved, as well, so we can help more people."

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Swan now lives in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. She has been an actress for four years, shooting 12 movies, including The Pick-Up Artist, and 10 television shows. She is involved in several charity activities and works to help vulnerable people in developing countries. Her visit to Heifer project beneficiaries has connected people in western countries to poor communities in Cambodia.

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