Last Words and Lasting Impressions

SUNDAY, JULY 18

As our solidarity journey in Cambodia has now come to an end, we close this blog with a few final words from each person in the group. We thank each and every one of our readers for following us on this journey and may you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin a new journey: that of sharing what we learned in Cambodia within our communities throughout Saskatchewan.

My most dominant impression of Cambodia is the people; their endurance, kindness and their hope will always stay with me. The incredible ancient temples with their awesome carvings which have stood the test of time is my second. I am grateful to have been on this trip and know I will never look at many things the same way. [Linda]

In reflecting on all of the people I have met and learned from during the past two weeks, I am inspired by the strength, knowledge, and perseverance of D&P's partners in Cambodia. Their dedication to development in Cambodia gives me a renewed sense of commitment to my own advocacy and fund raising work with D&P in Canada. [Kathy]

I am so grateful for the people I have met and the stories they have shared. I have witnessed hope in those who are finding their voice thanks to their own motivation and to D&P's partners' solidarity with them. [Reanne]

The heroic and difficult work that Church and NGO's have been doing in Cambodia has given me much food for thought. I am grateful for Armella and Development and Peace's commitment and competence, without which this solidarity trip would not have been possible. [Bert]

Rice fields, oxen, rutted red roads and a basket of piglets on a bicycle. As I begin to process the multiple images in my mind after this solidarity trip, I am inspired by the warmth, generosity and courage of the people our group has met along the way. Despite the poverty that can overwhelm a visitor to the Global South, the energy and positive spirit of the children and youth in Cambodia fills me with great hope for the future. [Robin]

I have many visual memories of rural Cambodia, where D&P has put its main focus for integral development. It was a joy to experience Cambodia through people engaged in social change, within the natural beauty of the countryside. [Armella]

Eve of Leaving

FRIDAY, JULY 16

We made the trek back to Phnom Penh from Ban Lung today; the almost 600 kms of feasting our eyes on the sights of Cambodia.

During our time here, we have had various responsibilities. Reanne, for example, has been filing all our pictures. (No small task!) She was working on them with the laptop during our trip this afternoon. Some of us were looking over her shoulder, and recalling the names of the people and communities in the photos.

When I saw the face of a staff person from one of D&P’s partners that we met on the very first morning of our very first day out in the communities, I had two reactions. First, I had a sensation of seeing a picture from the distant past. These past 16 days have been chalk-full of learning, with so many new experiences that 2 weeks ago seems like 2 months ago.

My second reaction was one of happiness for having met that person as well as many other strong Cambodian community leaders. On a solidarity trip like this, we are privileged to meet so many dedicated, altruistic people in a very short space of time.

This evening, on the eve of our leaving, we had one last meeting in order to summarize our Cambodia experience. We met with development personnel: Sambath Mam, executive director of DPA (Development and Partnership in Action), and Bunchhoeuth Keng, country director of CORD and Dennis McMahon, Senior Capacity Development Advisor for CORD. My reactions from the photos I saw earlier in the day brought clarity to the closing comments this evening, with yet more fine people.

by Armella Sonntag

Leaving Cambodia

THURSDAY, JULY 15

The sun rose early as we jiggled along red dirt roads on our way to Teun community and our final work day in Cambodia. As we stepped out of the van, our host Mr. Khieu Sopheak from Development and Partnerships in Action (DPA) warned me to step over a long trail of biting ants before entering a traditional bamboo meeting house. Inside, dozens of young men were learning how to position cement poles in the forests as a border to protect their lands threatened by illegal logging. Land security is an important issue in this eastern region of Cambodia where forests are being clear-cut by foreign companies to make money for the lucrative rubber tree market. The community we visited had already lost more than half of their land to these activities.

Other stops today included a visit to a pesticide-free rice farm, a rice cooperative business meeting, a literacy class, and a fish pond model farming project. Personally, my favourite experience of the day was arriving in Ta Ang village as the air echoed with the rich, deep tones of gongs, like church bells chiming in the tropical air. Entering the darkened cultural centre, we saw a small group of musicians playing heavy iron instruments suspended by ropes from the ceiling. The village chief spoke in Kroeung, the language of the Indigenous people in this village, which was first translated to Khmer and then English. An elder showed us the textiles, tools and traditional ways of the Kroeung people while dozens of young children peered in the windows and doors, watching and listening. We were told of a plan to find a grant to teach local children their own traditional dances. I thought about land, empowerment, community decision-making and solidarity, and the importance of keeping alive traditional languages and a sense of identity. I feel great hope for Cambodia.

by Robin Adeney

Solidarity in for a Rough Ride

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14

Today I am captured by reflections on empowerment and solidarity. Gospel readings of the last two days (July 13, 14) develop Matthew's understanding of empowerment, which will connect with how he sees community forming.

Different NGOs working in the province of Ratanakiri also have empowerment and solidarity in mind; human values-based programs are striving to give voice to women and Indigenous groups, especially in matters of preserving culture and controlling their land, as mining companies from China, Vietnam, Korea, and Australia seek to wrestle gold, iron, gemstone and bauxite from thick lush forests. No Buddha for these Indigenous people; they have the realm of spirits connected to the natural world which has been such a vital part of their existence.

But NGO processes are awakening effective power for solidarity for these vulnerable ones. As I studied the faces of the 8 Indigenous trainers across the table, I thought I recognized the look on the faces of the disciples of Jesus, in the beginning before they saw where all their empowerment would lead them.

How will negotiations go with the Cambodian government and mining companies? It is unlikely that “hearts will be moved with pity” for the plight of these land people. More likely, when push comes to shove, and when villagers reject the paltry 1 or 2 hundred dollars per hectare that they are offered, empowerment and solidarity may be swept aside by... well, what is it going to take?

The NGO brand of empowerment and solidarity should not go for nothing. Yet, if good will and reason are met with hearts not fully opened and muscle ready for flexing, there will be no small price to pay by these villagers living in the hidden forests.

by Bert Pitzel

On the Road Again

TUESDAY, JULY 13th

Oh how I love road trips; and today was no exception! We were on the road by 7am to beat Phnom Penh morning rush hour. Our destination was Ban Lung (population 25 000), in the province of Ratanakiri, a mere 588km northeast of Phnom Penh. Our travels brought us through rubber and cashew plantations and potatoe, corn and rice fields. In some places the lush and diverse vegetation formed a canopy of vines that shaded the road. Water buffalo and cows scattered the countryside and occasionally the road. The outline of mountains in the distance met cumulus clouds at the horizon. One way bridges connected the red earth shores of the murky Tonle San river. What beautiful country!

Ratanakiri's national park and landscape are becoming more popular for adventure tourists while its natural resources are attractive to “development companies.” Highway 7 north, once less travelled, is now wide and well groomed. I can't help but imagine/assume/predict that the recent major road construction is for mining equipment and tourism rather than for local indigenous communities. Tomorrow we'll meet with one of our partners, Indigenous Communities Support Organization (ICSO) who, I'm sure, will enlighten me on this topic.

You may be surprised to learn that we are quite a musical crew, or at least we think we are! We were singing slightly flat four part harmony with ukulele accompaniment during our nine hour travel day. Our poor driver Narin is such a patient man!

by Reanne Lajeunesse

And we're off again...

We are off to Ratanakiri province tomorrow for 3 days... it is supposed to be a beautiful place to visit, but it will take us about 9 hours to drive there. This is just to let our readers know our plans, in case we do not have access to Internet service and thus our blog may not be updated for a few days. But, as usual, stay tuned!

A Day with YRDP

MONDAY, JULY 12

Today provided us with the opportunity to connect with YRDP (Youth Resource Development Program) in Phnom Penh. We began our day with them at the YRDP office, but it was not long before we all piled into the van for another road trip... this time to the village of Chromeang Chas, about 65 km from Phnom Penh. (Now, many of you Canadians may be thinking “why that's a mere half-hour of driving”, but not so in Cambodia. Factoring in Phnom Penh early morning traffic, road construction, and pot-holed dirt roads, we arrived at our destination 2 hours later!)

The work that YRDP is doing in Chromeang Chas tells us a different story than any other so far in our Cambodian experience. Before YRDP and its core group of students became involved, this community was plagued by robbery, domestic violence, illegal fishing practices, etc. Thanks to a dedicated group of university students and staff at YRDP (led by Director Cheang Sokha), the village members and the commune council for the area are now working together to address the various social and economic challenges facing them. It is truly a success story.

A few hours later, back at the YRDP office in Phnom Penh, we learned about the many programs that YRDP have on the go, including a Training Unit and a Youth in Action initiative. YRDP certainly has their work cut out for them when it comes to training students through Paolo Freire methodologies and empowering youth to think critically and speak up for transparency of the government in the area of extractive industries. But, after meeting with a small group of these activist students at the office, I'm convinced they are ready and willing to take on the challenge!

YRDP builds confidence in youth by strengthening their critical thinking skills and empowering them to actively participate in building a culture of peace, justice and sustainable development in Cambodia.

by Kathy Nolan