The Viola Wheeler Music Program for Children with physical disabilities,

A program of Grapes for Humanity, US, opens in Cambodia

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

A musical presentation from eighty students at Lavalla School and Orphanage in Kendal Provence,  marked the official opening of The Viola Wheeler Music Program.  The US Ambassador to Cambodia, Carol A. Rodley along with The Viola Wheeler Music Program founders Arlene Willis and Dr. Christine Wheeler attended the opening ceremony earlier this month.

US Ambassador Carol Rodley and Brother Terry

The students selected and performed both traditional Khmer and modern Cambodian Music in concert with instrumental, choral and solo performances.  “The concert was truly overwhelming and we were astounded by the quality of the performance after only five months of training.” Said Arlene Willis, Chairman and Founder of Grapes for Humanity, US.

Brother Terry, Dr. Wheeler, Ambassador Rodley, Arlene Willis

The Viola Wheeler Music Program is the only of its kind for children with disabilities in Cambodia and its continuation was made possible by proceeds from the Chateau Haut-Brion Dinner featuring Prince Robert de Luxembourg in New York City on October 21, 2009.

Choir Students

Lavalla School and Orphanage has three buildings and workshops funded by Grapes for Humanity, US. It was established in 2000 as a project of the Marist Brothers of Australia and is run by Brother Terry Heinrich and Brother Darryl Slater.   The school houses approximately 100 students with disabilities and teaches them academic and manual skills to enable them to find work upon gradation.

Music Program Students