Organization

Angkor Wat Friendship Inc.


The Angkor Wat Friendship Association, Inc. (AWFA) is a Cambodian American cultural and religious association in Des Moines, Iowa, established in 1988.[1] It is also listed as Angkor Wat Friendship, Inc.[2] The association works to preserve Cambodian culture and to help members of the community.[1][3] Its original name was Wat Iowaram, the first Theravada Buddhist temple in Iowa, and it is based at the temple's address, 1301 19th Street.[4]

History

The first members were Cambodian refugees who came to Iowa to survive, and they began with very little.[4] In 1988 the community's only monk led religious and cultural ceremonies in a rented house that served as the Cambodian temple.[1] The Iowa Asian Alliance dates the association's founding to 1988; the Drake University Comparison Project dates its incorporation to the 1970s.[1][4] Monks were later brought from Cambodia. The community then bought its present building on 19th Street and titled it the Cambodian Buddhist Society.[4]

A separate nonprofit, Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc (EIN 26-4801767), has been tax-exempt since October 2010 and is listed at 1332 18th Street, Des Moines. It also appears under the name Cambodian Buddhist Society / Wat Iowaram.[5][6] In 2014 a national directory of Cambodian American organizations listed Angkor Wat Friendship, Inc. at 1718 Des Moines Street, and a directory of Khmer Buddhist temples listed Wat Iowaram at 1301 19th Street.[7]

By April 2025 the association had organized a Khmer New Year celebration in Des Moines for three years in a row, and each one drew more people.[8] In May 2025 Sanaye Chung stepped down as president of the Iowa Cambodian Buddhist Society, which shares space with the Wat Iowaram temple on 19th Street, and handed the leadership to Emily Frimml.[9] Frimml, a first-generation American of Cambodian descent, is also the association's president.[1][10][9] In her words, "All our board members are in their 30s and 40s. We are first-generation Americans."[9] She has said the association hopes to start education programs for young people and, in time, to build a community space modeled on Angkor Wat in Cambodia.[8]

Religious life

The community follows Theravada Buddhism. The Venerable Eang Muon Op (also given as Eang Muom Op) is head monk.[4][9] Because the temple building is in disrepair, the community holds Tak Bat, the alms offering to monks, once a month at the monk's home.[4] In May 2025 the monk and the association's leaders were planning a 100-day ceremony at the temple to honor the passing of a person's spirit into the afterlife.[9]

Visitors to the temple remove their shoes and dress modestly. They take care not to point their legs or the soles of their feet at sacred objects or at people.[4]

Community

The association serves families across Iowa, and Cambodians from Kansas City and Columbia in Missouri and from Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska.[1] Its programs are open to people of all ages, from young children to older adults.[11] In 2025 Sanaye Chung estimated that 250 Cambodian families, about 2,000 people, lived in the Des Moines area.[9]

Celebrations

The association hosts Khmer New Year each April.[1] Its celebrations include traditional dances, music, games and food. Toney Chem, an officer of the association, has spoken of the importance of sharing the celebration with the wider Des Moines community.[8] Emily Frimml has said the celebration honors Cambodian heritage and passes its traditions to younger generations.[10]

The 2026 Khmer New Year Party marked the Year of the Horse. It was held on April 11, 2026, from 5 to 11 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Consistory, 519 Park Street, Des Moines.[12][13] The evening had live music, Khmer dance, breakdancing, Cambodian food and a family area with a face painter and a balloon artist. Tickets were $25 for adults and $5 for children.[10][12]

The AWFA Fall Cultural Celebration was held on September 19, 2026, from 5 to 11 p.m., at 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway in Ankeny.[14] The association raises funds through Zeffy. It says the donations go back to the community and support its work to preserve Cambodian culture through education, the arts and charity.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Iowa Asian Alliance, Cambodian community
  2. ↑ National Cambodian American Organizations directory (2014)
  3. ↑ West Depot, Angkor Wat Friendship Association (2023)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Drake University Comparison Project, Cambodian Buddhist Society
  5. ↑ ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc
  6. ↑ Cause IQ, Cambodian Buddhist Society / Wat Iowaram
  7. ↑ 2558 Khmer Buddhist Temples Directory (2014)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 WHO 13, Cambodian New Year approaches, community gathers to celebrate (April 2025)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Carl Voss, Let's catch up (May 2025)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Axios Des Moines, Cambodian New Year's Eve (April 6, 2026)
  11. ↑ West Depot, Service Organizations
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 AllEvents, Khmer New Year Party (April 11, 2026)
  13. ↑ Zeffy, 2026 Khmer New Year tickets
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Zeffy, Angkor Wat Friendship Association Inc

Sources

Retrieved from "https://dev.khmerconnection.com/w/index.php?title=Angkor_Wat_Friendship_Inc.&oldid=8812"
This page was last edited on 2 October 2026, at 01:35.