Cambodian terror - filling in the gaps

In between the many days of physical labour, on Monday we were not physically challenged, rather we were emotionally challenged by our visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum also known as S-21 and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (the killing fields), along with our initial introduction to the Tabitha Foundation (an NGO that assists locals who are living under extreme poverty to get above the poverty line) given by their founder Janne Ritskes. 

After being told of the tragedies that have befallen this beautiful nation, we then moved on to a site of some of these tragedies, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum which was once the S-21 Khmer Rouge prison. Once there, we partook in an audio guided tour that not only showed us through the former prison but also immersed us in several horrific stories endured by those that once inhabited S-21. Whilst displaying the evils once experienced there the tour also showed how justice has been served to those who orchestrated these vile acts and how these events will be kept within the world’s collective memory. After this the weight on our hearts increased even further as we entered one of the many Killing Fields of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge,  specifically the largest, Choeung Ek. Whilst there we were lead through the final resting place of many by an audio tour explaining the terrors that occurred there and attempting to put us in the shoes of those whose bones still protrude from the earth. This day of learning truly helped us appreciate and understand the struggles of the people of Cambodia and what they are trying to rebuild from.

Brady & Alex