The delegates to the Asean Federation of Accountants (AFA) Council meeting in Phnom Penh were invited to a gala dinner organised by the Kampuchea Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Auditors (KICPAA). I had additional task that day as I was one of the speakers at the International Seminar held in conjunction with the admission of KICPAA as an associate member of IFAC.
One of the highlights of the dinner was the performance by Bosbapanh, a talented 11 year old girl soprano from Cambodia. Not only she could sing songs such as Mona Lisa, Fleur de Vientiane and Bengawan Solo, she also performed Five Hundred Miles while playing guitar and Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan while playing piano.
Bosbapanh is planning to organise a concert in May 2009 where 150 musicians from Cambodia and other countries would be performing with her. As a gesture of support, the audience were generous in handing some financial support to her and her colleagues through a quick fund raising exercise during the dinner.
It is very heartening to know that Cambodians such as Bosbapanh are playing their roles in developing the country, not only economically but culturally as well. As Cambodia moves further away from relying on donors to survive, the hope of future generation of this country is symbolised by the drive and ambition of people like Bosbapanh.
If I have my way, I would like to see Bosbapanh performing during the World Congress of Accountants in 2010 in Kuala Lumpur.
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