Ever see the movie, The Killing Fields?

I saw it a couple of nights before arriving here yesterday in Phenom Penh. I don't know what's worse: the violence and torture that occurred during the war, or the decades of despair and torture following it. The movie didn't show the resulting effects. My trip here, however, does in vivid detail.

To say Cambodia was ravaged by the war is an understatement. About 2 million of the 9 million inhabitants were murdered by the Khmer Rouge. The surviving 7 million were set back about a half a century, maybe more. Grass huts line the major routes in between cities. Naked toddlers play in the dirt; many of these toddlers are carrying their baby sister or brother on their hip. There are minefields in their backyard.

The highways have as many pock marks as a lunar landscape. The bumps throw bus passengers out of their seats. Going by rail isn't much better. Our guidebook says a train ride that took only 5 hours in the 1960's takes can take up to 20 hours now. All this in a country that used to be one of he richest nations in all of S.E. Asia.

Slowly, Cambodia is rebuilding. Most of the support is coming from European nations, Japan, and Canada. Surpisingly, or not suprisingly, the U.S. has offered very little support by comparison. The non-profits that support the rebuilding of the infrastructure and the social services list their benefactors, and you'd be hard pressed to find the United States on any of their lists.

Back at home you can support countries like Cambodia by giving to organizations like UNICEF. They give generously to programs in Cambodia that help prevent child trafficking, homelessness, and support job training.

Thanks again for reading my blog. Help the underdog.

You can email me at christian_avery_2000@yahoo.com