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