Cambodia is
a country rich in history; dating back to 802 AD, the Angkor period, which
flourished in Cambodia from the 9th – 15th centuries. The
current day Angkor Wat in Siem Reap reminds us that Cambodia once led the world
in hydro-engineering and construction; supporting one million people in the
largest preindustrial city in the world. But there are perhaps even more signs
in Cambodia of its recent history when only 40 years ago Cambodia essentially
had to begin rebuilding from ground zero following the slaughter by Pol Pot and
the Khmer Rouge of 25% of Cambodia’s population, mostly educated people and people
living in the cities.
There are
also many signs that Cambodia is emerging from this devastating loss. Many new
buildings are being built around Phnom Penh. New restaurants and shops, schools,
shopping malls, and even movie theatres are emerging, but the question of how
healthy this re-emergence is has led me to believe that Cambodia is not
growing, at this time, in the healthiest way.
There
is a deepening divide between those who "have" and those who "have
not". Nearly half of the working population, 46.4%, makes less than the
very meager minimum-wage set for textile, garment, and shoe industry workers of
$50 per month or about 29 cents per hour. More than one in every four workers, 26%,
earn less than a dollar a day and 20% make less than $.63 per day; and most
Cambodians work 10-12 hour days either 6 or 7 days per week. Because of the
severe poverty in Cambodia child labor is very common. Children are removed
from school to work in rice fields or garment factories so that they can
provide some meager contribution to their family's income. But because they are
deprived of a decent education these children are virtually assured to be another
generation living in poverty – thus continuing the ugly cycle of generational
poverty. But such is subsistence living; when survival is paramount and where
it can easily appear better to work for one dollar today rather than to be
educated to earn ten dollars a year from now. Almost all of the Cambodians whom
I have met do not think in a long term way, but only a day at a time or even
just to the next meal. But there are many things to love about Cambodian culture where most families are strong and fiercely loyal. Where many young married couples live in their parents' home, sometimes also with the third generation grandparents also still in the home; and where, much like is described in the Book of Acts, all things are contributed to the community and shared. It is a culturally common greeting in Cambodia to be asked, “have you eaten yet?” or “have you eaten rice yet?” There is a beautifully important meaning to this question that is hidden under the surface of this seemingly simple question. This part of culture may very well tie to Cambodia’s history and values: when people are poor it is important to know if someone has eaten, if they can afford to eat, or if you may help them to eat. I have personally experienced that even the poorest of the poor in Cambodia will share their food with others. This reminds me of something that I read from Mother Teresa, who wrote that she visited a very poor family and gave them rice. She noticed that the mother in that family took half of the rice and gave it to her neighbor.
Whether it be Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, the waterfalls of Modikiri, or the white sand beaches and warm, clean water of the South China Sea at Sihanouk Ville, or perhaps you may prefer the bustling city life of Phnom Penh - there is so much to enjoy in Cambodia. But my favorite is not anyplace in Cambodia, but the Cambodian people who may be counted by most others in this world as being poor, but as I have had the joy to experience Cambodians I see that in spirit and in values they are among the richest people that I have ever had the privilege to meet.
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