Programs & Events
The Embassy lights up the Phnom Penh night for Christmas
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
December 11, 2008
For the third year in a row the Embassy opened the Christmas season by throwing the switch on its festive lights display with Ambassador-designate Rodley leading the ceremony. As in the past the Embassy reached out to the local MaryKnoll Sister’s orphanage and invited over 100 of their children to participate, all of which had lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS. Prior to the lighting ceremony they had a chance to play on the Embassy’s playground and were then treated to a visit by Santa after an al fresco dinner on the Chancery lawn. Santa arrived on a John “ReinDeere” ATV and gave out presents to the entire group. At the ceremony the Ambassador spoke to the children about the history of Christmas lights and about Christmas itself as Cambodia, with its largely Buddhist population, does not celebrate this holiday. The switch was then thrown on the lighting display which included the ever popular “tuk tuk Santa” to appreciative cheers from the audience.
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