Cambodians' suffering
When I visited South East Asia, my favourite country by far was Cambodia.
A favourite travelling place is always such a personal thing, always depends on what you love about communities, the experiences you have, how long you are there for etc, etc.
However, I am not surprised to find that the majority of the people I know who have travelled to the stunning country, Cambodia is also their favourite place.
Why? Well aside from South Africa (where I lived for a year) I have never felt so accepted into a community. Generally a calm and loving atmosphere.
One day I was happily sitting on the curb waiting for my friends to finish buying their food. I daydreamed as I watched as the cows walked by on the main road, with cars swerving in and out of the plodding packs. Feeling like I was being watched, I looked up to see a lanky graying man smiling a partially toothless smile at me. Not really knowing what to say...I just grinned back at him. He motioned to sit down next to me, I accepted, and then he practically jumped down by my side. He had been learning English and was so excited to see me so he could practice. We sat chatting for a bit, eventually with my cheeks hurting from all the grinning! We parted about half an hour later after I realised I had lost my friends, but who really cares when they just met the funniest English speaking Cambodian in Siem Riep?!
However, behind the quiet, generous demeanor of the people there is a shocking history, of torture, mass killings and devastation. Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime killed more than 1.5 million people from 1975-79 through execution, torture, starvation and slave labour. The regime ended in 1979 after the invasion by Socialist Republic of Vietnam
And today I read about forced evictions for thousands of Cambodians.
Amnesty International reported
'In 2008, some 150,000 Cambodians were known to live at risk of being forcibly evicted in the wake of land disputes, land grabbing, and agro-industrial and urban redevelopment projects. Tens of thousands have already been forcibly evicted in recent years, many left homeless, others relocated to inadequate resettlement sites with poor infrastructure, lacking basic amenities including sanitation, and with limited access to work opportunities. The spate of forced evictions shows little sign of abating.'
With Pol Pot's accomplices on trial in Phohm Pehn for crimes against humanity, it would be nice to assume the worst was over for Cambodian people, but the people 'are now faced with a new peril - rampant land developers literally smashing entire communities, leaving thousands homeless.' (David O'Shea SBS)
SBS aired 'Cambodia for Sale' looking at this situation just the other night and it's worth a watch...or at least to read the transcript.
http://news.sbs.com.au/dateline/cambodia_for_sale_563580
Let's not ignore what is happening to our neighbours this time.
3 comments:
I planned to watch SBS the other night but got distracted I am glad it provoked some thinking. Love to hear what you think about International Womens day!
Becky I totally empathise with what you say about the kidness of the people in Siem Reap - they have such a peaceful vibe! When I was there I was riding my bike along the street and a bug flew straight into my eye - one of the really stingy ones! So I jumped off my bike and was trying desperately to get it out - when a group of about 5 Cambodians came rushing over to me, led by a man who proceeded to grab my head and blow forcefully into my eye to get the bug out! Kind of scared me at first but it worked and gave everyone on the street a good laugh!!
Wow, I love Celia's story, that's so awesome.
I have never felt more at home and at peace with myself than when I was in Cambodia.
I was chatting to my mate Rohan today about how it's a place that "steals your heart" and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.
Thanks for the link, I;ll check it out and send it to the other YA's.
Ash xo
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