Kak Channthy Memorial Fund
Donation protected
We mourn the loss of Kak Channthy, singer and frontwoman of The Cambodian Space Project, a brilliant and charismatic artist who brought so much joy to audiences in Cambodia and around the world, and a much beloved friend to many.
Channthy was taken from us far too early, aged 38, in a traffic accident in Phnom Penh on March 20.
Now begins 100 days of funeral and mourning, in her home village of Prey Veng, in Cambodia. Channthy leaves behind her 13 year old son Makara, two brothers who she helped support also, and a devastated community in Prey Veng. Her parents also died too young.
It takes a village to raise a child, but Prey Veng is in the poorest province in one of the poorest countries in the world.
Channthy's friends have established this Memorial Fund to assist her family with financial costs they could not otherwise meet. Firstly and urgently, are the funeral costs, through this extended period of mourning. And from now and into the future, financial support for Makara, to help with all the usual things that parents provide their children - a house, a home, health, education. Many of the services we take for granted as provided by the state in wealthy countries, are expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary Khmer in a village like Prey Veng.
You can see Makara and Prey Veng in the video to the song Lullaby for Makara, at the top of the page.*
Channthy's friends & family in Cambodia will make a secure and loving life for Makara, but they need our help. At this early stage just a few days after her passing, we are improvising a little.
This campaign will be managed by Channthy's friend and producer of some of her work with The Cambodian Space Project, Harley Stumm, and the proceeds sent to Channthy's family.
Julien Poulson, Channthy's CSP co-pilot & friend writes: "Channthy Cha Cha has left way too soon with so many things left undone and of course the most she hoped for was to live long enough to see her beautiful son Makara grow up to be a young man with a great life ahead of him. The most important thing for us now is to start working towards making this possible. Over the coming days, months, years Makara and Channthy's family will need all the support they can get. Meanwhile we will also be working towards creating an ongoing trust fund and there is much work to be done."
"When I met Makara he was not in school and for many years struggled to catch-up and school but about 6 months ago, Thy called me to tell me that he'd scored first place in school and she was completely overjoyed. I personally will strive to support Thy's young son to achieve even more but we need help so please donate here. I will write more to update everyone on our progress."

“I don’t know if music or art can really help in the short term but for me, music has always been a solace, bringing hope and love and helping to overcome hard times... When I’m singing, I feel like I’m flying. These old songs can awaken the love we had back then and wash away our sorrow." Channthy said in Marc Eberle's documentary Not Easy Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Julien Poulson, her CSP co-founder and BFF writes: "She was a joy and inspiration to know in life and I can't believe she has gone. Channthy was a love of my life and a very dear friend, I feel so sorry that her life has mostly been very difficult and will be more so for the family she leaves behind. She was also my co-pilot in the Cambodian Space Project and through this shared experience, the music, the friendships and the love we shared, I am also grateful to know that I was able to share so much life with Channthy. My heart is broken."
Chak Sopheap, of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, remembered Channthy as “a strong and inspirational woman who will be dearly missed by many”, and who was a supporter of human rights and equality. “Her journey and achievements can inspire many, especially young Cambodian women,” she said.
“Channthy also made a great contribution to Cambodian arts and culture, by re-imagining old Khmer classics and bringing them to the international arena, as well as by producing many original hits which took inspiration from Khmer style.” (from Phnom Penh Post obituary)
 There is so much content about Srey Channthy elsewhere, but here are a few selected moments of her life and art.
Phnom Penh Post obituary
Feature story in The Diplomat
Tribute including 2013 live to air performance on FBi radio
CSP website has lots more video & images
Tribute to Channthy featuring CSP's recording of Superstar (by The Carpenters)
 Live performance of Rom a Gogo, in Hanuman Spaceman at Brisbane Powerhouse. Going OFF!!
Music video of Have Visa, No Have Rice (video by Marc Eberle)

Showreel of Cosmic Cambodia, Cambodian Space Project, 2015

* Lullaby for Makara, a visit to Channthy's village in Prey Veng Province, videography by Samy Nine, edited by Nosloup Montague, recorded at Barking Gecko Bali by John Paul Thorpe.
Channthy was taken from us far too early, aged 38, in a traffic accident in Phnom Penh on March 20.
Now begins 100 days of funeral and mourning, in her home village of Prey Veng, in Cambodia. Channthy leaves behind her 13 year old son Makara, two brothers who she helped support also, and a devastated community in Prey Veng. Her parents also died too young.
It takes a village to raise a child, but Prey Veng is in the poorest province in one of the poorest countries in the world.
Channthy's friends have established this Memorial Fund to assist her family with financial costs they could not otherwise meet. Firstly and urgently, are the funeral costs, through this extended period of mourning. And from now and into the future, financial support for Makara, to help with all the usual things that parents provide their children - a house, a home, health, education. Many of the services we take for granted as provided by the state in wealthy countries, are expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary Khmer in a village like Prey Veng.
You can see Makara and Prey Veng in the video to the song Lullaby for Makara, at the top of the page.*
Channthy's friends & family in Cambodia will make a secure and loving life for Makara, but they need our help. At this early stage just a few days after her passing, we are improvising a little.
This campaign will be managed by Channthy's friend and producer of some of her work with The Cambodian Space Project, Harley Stumm, and the proceeds sent to Channthy's family.
Julien Poulson, Channthy's CSP co-pilot & friend writes: "Channthy Cha Cha has left way too soon with so many things left undone and of course the most she hoped for was to live long enough to see her beautiful son Makara grow up to be a young man with a great life ahead of him. The most important thing for us now is to start working towards making this possible. Over the coming days, months, years Makara and Channthy's family will need all the support they can get. Meanwhile we will also be working towards creating an ongoing trust fund and there is much work to be done."
"When I met Makara he was not in school and for many years struggled to catch-up and school but about 6 months ago, Thy called me to tell me that he'd scored first place in school and she was completely overjoyed. I personally will strive to support Thy's young son to achieve even more but we need help so please donate here. I will write more to update everyone on our progress."

“I don’t know if music or art can really help in the short term but for me, music has always been a solace, bringing hope and love and helping to overcome hard times... When I’m singing, I feel like I’m flying. These old songs can awaken the love we had back then and wash away our sorrow." Channthy said in Marc Eberle's documentary Not Easy Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Julien Poulson, her CSP co-founder and BFF writes: "She was a joy and inspiration to know in life and I can't believe she has gone. Channthy was a love of my life and a very dear friend, I feel so sorry that her life has mostly been very difficult and will be more so for the family she leaves behind. She was also my co-pilot in the Cambodian Space Project and through this shared experience, the music, the friendships and the love we shared, I am also grateful to know that I was able to share so much life with Channthy. My heart is broken."
Chak Sopheap, of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, remembered Channthy as “a strong and inspirational woman who will be dearly missed by many”, and who was a supporter of human rights and equality. “Her journey and achievements can inspire many, especially young Cambodian women,” she said.
“Channthy also made a great contribution to Cambodian arts and culture, by re-imagining old Khmer classics and bringing them to the international arena, as well as by producing many original hits which took inspiration from Khmer style.” (from Phnom Penh Post obituary)
 There is so much content about Srey Channthy elsewhere, but here are a few selected moments of her life and art.
Phnom Penh Post obituary
Feature story in The Diplomat
Tribute including 2013 live to air performance on FBi radio
CSP website has lots more video & images
Tribute to Channthy featuring CSP's recording of Superstar (by The Carpenters)
 Live performance of Rom a Gogo, in Hanuman Spaceman at Brisbane Powerhouse. Going OFF!!
Music video of Have Visa, No Have Rice (video by Marc Eberle)

Showreel of Cosmic Cambodia, Cambodian Space Project, 2015

* Lullaby for Makara, a visit to Channthy's village in Prey Veng Province, videography by Samy Nine, edited by Nosloup Montague, recorded at Barking Gecko Bali by John Paul Thorpe.
Organiser
Harley Stumm
Organiser
Zetland, NSW