Two years ago I dipped my toe into Cambodia. A quick visit to Phnom Penh to visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and then on to Siem Reap to take in the world heritage site of Angkor Wat and to get a taste of village life in the area. That visit left me wanting to learn more…and man…did I get more on this trip.
I don’t think anyone can leave Cambodia without a huge amount of admiration for the people. For starters most of us know Cambodia not only endured the Pol Pot Regime (Khmer Rouge) when over 1.5 million people (mostly educated) were killed, but also the civil unrest that continued into the 1990’s. The 1990’s! That wasn’t that long ago! This era not only had a massive impact to its citizens, but to their entire infrastructure…not to mention their corrupt government that continues to this day. But it wasn’t until this trip that I walked away with much more awareness and a better understanding of the impact on their education.
Going back to the Pol Pot regime, anyone educated was killed…but it didn’t stop there. Today education is so lacking because most families depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Meaning children are needed to help out during rice harvest or with other home chores, therefore they are kept out of school. In addition, many families will migrate (illegally) to Thailand in search of work taking their children with them. The bottom line is that many Cambodians can’t see the long-term benefits of education because they’re too busy focusing on the short term goals of feeding their families. Many of the parents also don’t see the value in education since they aren’t educated themselves. If the children are fortunate enough to go to school, it’s unfortunate that the teachers are paid low salaries and have little motivation to improve the quality of the education. I was stunned to find out that most children are taught by repetition and memorization without acquiring an understanding of how they arrived at the answer…imagine the impact on their problem solving skills! Because of low wages throughout the country, higher education just isn’t possible. Not only is there lack of formal education, but businesses today aren’t satisfied with the soft skills of their employees. All of these forces create a significant up hill battle in lifting up this country out of poverty.
When I reflect on my first visit it was the museum experience and the smiles and warmth of the people that captured my heart…and still does. (Like the woman above…how beautiful is that smile?) But it was this trip that ripped my heart wide open. Not only was it the enlightenment of the education situation shared above, but hearing their personal stories…
Our guide shared that when he was eight years…he remembers running through the jungle with his mother to escape the Khmer Rouge…they ate bugs to stay alive. Or the story of how the manager at our hotel had lost his leg at fourteen when a landmine exploded and was shunned by his school mates because of his disability. It was spending time with a novice monk to learn how he joined the monastery to gain as much education so he can help create opportunities for other Cambodians. It was chatting with an elderly nun who had never had an image of herself throughout her 88 years of living. (Yep, fixed that…more on her later!) It was the story a tour guide told…once displaced from his home to the area of Angkor Wat…he would play in the moat and learned to swim quickly through the watercress surrounding the temple to escape the leeches. Imagine!
All of these stories were topped off with hearing firsthand from a small group of young university students their dreams and desires for a better life. Students who now have a chance at accomplishing those dreams because a local nongovernment organization is reaching into the community that suffered the most from the Pol Pot Regime era with one goal in mind…empowering youth through education.
The two weeks of immersion into the Siem Reap area had a profound impact on me. I’m hoping this overview will shed light as to why Cambodia…as well as my future postings.
So stay tuned! gg
P.S. I’m adjusting to the time change much quicker than from the Vietnam trip…not sure why, but I’ll take it! And before I left…I promised a giveaway! So I picked a name out of the hat from the comments of the last posting and we have a winner! Virginia Kirnberger of Beyond Cinderella…come on down! Kat Sloma has put together a fabulous book and if any of you own an iPhone…it’s a must to have in your photography library! Congrats VK!
Empowering youth through education, exactly! It’s sad to hear of such hardships and still there are the beautiful smiles. Cambodia was very lucky when you decided to dip your toe there, I’m really looking forward to hearing about your chat with the nun!
Love you and your big heart ~
Oh, thanks sweet friend! Oh…my gosh…that little nun…the SWEETEST thing ever! Can’t wait to share images and how we came across her! An amazing trip for sure! oxox
Thank you for being willing to hear their hard stories
and to show compassion and listen with a heart that won’t close down
to the pain of it all.
I thank you from the bottom of mine.
My heart and prayers go out to these people.
Big love and balm to your hurting places,
Jennifer
Your words always take me on a journey…thank you Jennifer!!
It’s so sad to learn and see the struggles of our world up front and personal but also so fascinating and endearing to see the beautiful hearts and happiness that not only the children have but the adults as well, through it all. As I suppose this helps them find the strength to carry on and also teach their children.
Sometimes it seems like an impossible cycle to break throughout the generations.
I love the photograph of the boy with his arm around his friend as he punches the girl. Boys punching girls – so universal that they like the girl!
Yes, the woman and her little girl has a beautiful smile that radiates in her beautiful
smiling eyes.
I am looking forward to reading and seeing the nun, young monk, university students and all the personal stories and photos you will share with us, along with your wonderful donations and journey to the school.
Yes, Cambodia – Perfect for you and your beautiful heart.
It’s so so true…it’s sad, yet fascinating all at the same time. The people have gone through so much, but their Buddhism beliefs will not allow them to dwell on the past so you get these beautiful smiles and amazing warmth from the people. Oh, and yes, that little boy’s punch was absolutely PERFECT! Thank you always my sweet…xoxo
The minute I saw the top image, I couldn’t help but think how kids will be kids no matter where they are in the world…like the boy picking on the girl, for instance. HA! But seriously, I have a feeling it’s always important to go back and see a spot/place again, as though seeing it again for the first time…with new eyes. When you go back again, you will have even more to tell us. But for now, I’m sitting here with rapt attention. We need to hear these stories! Thank you.
Isn’t it though! The boy picking on the girl…universal, ha ha! Stories to come…thanks always for your interest Ginnie!
I absolutely love your travel adventures on so many levels. This post was moving, educational and sobering at the same time. I have not travelled like you, although I’ve done enough to add flavour to my reading of your adventures but in that ladies smile is the warmth and humanity of the underclasses and the forgotten which always fills me with wonder in contrast to the sheer horror I feel at the brutality and arrogance of those who see themselves as superior in some way. I could go on forever but now I am in danger of boring myself, never mind you or any other reader !
“Moving, educational and sobering!” Success! And coming from such an amazing author…I’m honored! I couldn’t agree more with your words about what’s in her smile. Thank you! Thank you!!!
Thank you, thank you, Robin, for your heart and your story among these people. I look forward to hearing more.
Thanks Ruth! So appreciated!
Access to higher education for everyone is not even possible in our developed world, so much harder in countries where families have to rely on the help of their children. I just learned in Rwanda that people have to pay a fine if they don’t (!) send their children to school! Because education is a tool to prevent such atrocities as the genocide in Rwanda or the Pol Pot in Cambodia. I visited Cambodia more than 10 years ago and loved the kindness and beauty of the people. Looking forward to seeing and reading more about your trip!
Yes, I’ve heard of having to pay fines too! What’s sad as well is that the children in Cambodia CAN”T go to school unless they purchase a uniform. So many of these people are so poor they can barely put rice on the table and I read recently that 30 some percent of children in Cambodia are undernourished/stunted growth. The village school that we visited where I made the top image…our guide/friend told us that a few of the teachers would overlook a child here or there that shows up without one…but many won’t. Thanks always Karen for your visits!
I find it hard to wrap my mind around the fact that people can kill other people for any reason, but killing people because they are educated… your post shed a light on that from me. I so love all the photos you shared. We can all learn so much from the children, they are so resourceful, but the smile on that mother’s face as she holds her little girl says it all to me. It shows me that their deep belief really does sustain them. Thanks so much for sharing this eye-opening and heartfelt post.
And, WOW!!! Yeah, me, I won your drawing. Picture me doing my happy dance… Thank you so much!
Love and hugs,
xoxo
It is so hard to wrap our minds around when we have so many freedoms and so much to be thankful for here in our own country. Thanks for your thoughts! And I’m looking forward to personally delivering this great book of Kat’s! Chat soon! xoxoxoxo
If ever I was to travel to such a place, I think I would need to travel with someone like you — someone who is so approachable and warm that you meet and hear the stories of all these people. Or I will have to learn to overcome from shyness… In the meantime, I’m thankful you are doing the work for me and introducing me to these places and the people.
Well it started at a very young age and I have my father to thank for it! Thanks Maery…I so appreciate you!
That first picture. Love it. Arms around each other and having a naughty time all together. Kids will be kids.
Amazing write up again and I am glad you don’t suffer too much from jet-leg…
Great pictures and I will stay tuned for more..
Love and hugs.
Kids will be kids regardless of where we are! I so love that too! Thanks so much Astrid!