Blog Action Day: Cambodia
October 15, 2008 – 1:00 am | by nerd's eye view
Photo: Cambodian land mine victims making music to raise money outside Angkor Wat
Nothing has quite cracked me open the way our trip to Cambodia earlier this year did. It wasn’t just the history, it was the present, too – the combination of such intense damage and such warm spirits.
Imagine this. We walk into a shop selling beautiful hand beaded crafts and are greeting with a hello that’s like singing and radiant smiles. But the song and the light aren’t at eye level. It’s from the women who sit on the floor surrounded by glowing piles of glass beads. They’re all missing limbs, a foot, part of a leg, both legs from the knees down… and their work, making these pretty little souvenirs, keeps them alive. You are acutely aware, as you stand there from your towering height of 5 feet and change, that they are not standing because they CAN’T. They are delighted to see us, and not in that pushy “buy something” way – they seem genuinely happy to show off their work and to have us in the shop. My heart breaks again for the thousandth time.
I could write more about Cambodia for Blog Action Day and with this year’s theme being poverty, it seems fitting. But instead of writing something new, I’m going to send you to a few other places that cover this topic better than I can – though I am also going to include to older NEV posts.
- Kids Causes in Cambodia on NEV: Includes links to Are We There Yet, a blogger that also felt the heartbreak and wonder that the kids of Cambodia bring.
- Cambodia’s Land Mine Victims: on NEV: Includes links to land mine removal causes and groups that support land mine victims.
- Kiva, Cambodia: Micro-loans that make a difference.
- Beth Kanter: Beth uses blogging to make amazing things happen – not just in Cambodia, but she’s done incredible work there.
- Journeys Within Our Community: This non profit travel organization won recognition for their good work in Cambodia – and other places – at the World Savers Congress..
You should go to Cambodia. It will fill you with wonder and break your heart.
7 Responses to “Blog Action Day: Cambodia”
By Debbie on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
Great post. Cambodia really touched us too, I think in part because it’s so easy to relate to the people you meet. Many of them lived in educated, successful families before the Khmer Rouge. Many people speak English, and the sadness about the past (and abundant reminders) are mixed with a true hopefulness for the future. As Americans, I think it’s easy for us to relate to the entrepreneurial spirit you see all around you.
Out of all the places we visited, it was easiest for us to make personal connections in Cambodia, and I think that made a huge difference in our enthusiasm about helping.
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By Nomadic Matt on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
I felt the same way about cambodia. I couldn’t believe how amazing everyone was despite all that they have gone through. Wonderful people but the country fills you with such sorrow….it breaks your heart.
When I go back next year, I plan to work at one of those orphanages for a month.
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By Audrey on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
Cambodia – and Cambodians – also touched us in the same way. The positive outlook and hope that Cambodians had in their children and future was incredible considering the hell that so many of them went through under the Khmer Rouge. Makes you humble and think about your own outlook at times.
An inspiring Canadian couple – Adrianne and Rick – we met who do work in Cambodia each year described Cambodia much better: “We are not sure exactly what draws us so strongly to Cambodia. It probably lies in the fact that as we continue to work with our own emotional struggles and coming to grips with [our daughter] Danielle’s death we have found the resilience of the Cambodian people quite inspiring. In their fight to recover from war, genocide and the Pol Pot regime, the people show incredible courage as they face heart wrenching poverty and enormous losses. We continue to learn about the strength of the human spirit.”
(http://www.uncorneredmarket.com/2007/07/interview-with-adrianne-and-rick/)
Like Matt, I’d like to go back one day and spend the time volunteering.
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By lilalia on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
This is why traveling can change not only your perspective, but your heart as well. Your text well describes how encounters with others can break but extend your heart.
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By CanCan (Mom Most Traveled) on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply
I was really touched by the work done in Siem Reap by the Khanta Bopa hospital. The Dr. calls himself Beato Cello and does free cello concerts every week to raise awareness and funds from the foreign community.
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By Cambodia on Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
Cambodia relies too much on two industries: textile and tourism. These industries are particularly vulnerable to the global economic downturn. We need to focus our resources on our natural strength, which is agriculture, not tourism or textile.
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By Hop Skip Jump Peru on Dec 25, 2009 | Reply
Cambodia remains one of my favorite all time travel destinations. The people were lovely and I fet touched in the same way that you did. After decades of horrendous living conditions it is slowly getting better, but needs more help from wealthy nations. I was amazed by how despite all the hardships they have encountered they still smile and remain positive.
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