Khmer Dichotomy

From March 23

Landmarks & Landmines: Remnants from Siem Reap - Mar 2010

The contrasting images of peaceful courtyards and violent minefields remain etched in my memories of Cambodia. The tension between the soul-stirring ruins of the ancient Khmer Empire and the discarded bringers of indiscriminate death of modern warfare keeps a string of questions circulating between my head and my heart.

My compassion and curiosity have been piqued; this is a place to which I'd love to make an extended return if the opportunity ever allowed. There remains many stories to tell, wounds to heal, and much work to do among the people in this battered yet resilient land.

Fortunately, there are many other people taking up those tasks. Here are a handful that I'm personally aware of:

Khmer Legacies is an organization created by my friend Socheata Poeuv that is creating a video history of the Cambodian Genocide from the perspective of survivors. She is also the director of the award-winning, autobiographical documentary New Year Baby.

The Cambodian Landmine Museum, near Siem Reap, displays thousands decommissioned mines, bombs, and other explosive remnants of war collected from the fields and deactivated by one young man and educates the public and passing tourists about this remaining real and present danger.

The Mekong Mission Forum, a coalition of Lutheran Churches from the ASEAN region and beyond, is expanding its humanitarian and social service work such as medical care, feeding centers, and language/vocational education among those in need in addition to the continued planting of new churches throughout the country.