Cambodia, Bangkok and Beyond...
I, Andi had just over a week in Cambodia recently. This was my first time to the country and was there for an emergency communications conference where a group of us had been handpicked for training, plus it related to my role in Asia Pacific. This training means when a high level emergency happens we are asked to fly out within 24 hours to respond.
At the start of the week those of us who had arrived on the Sunday afternoon took the opportunity to explore Phnom Penh and understand more of the history of Cambodia. This included a trip to the Tuol Sleng Khmer Rouge museum, the actual HQ of the party, where many people were tortured or imprisoned.
The Khmer regime is remembered mainly for the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million people, estimates range from 750,000 to 3 million, under its regime, through execution, starvation and forced labor. Although directly responsible for the death of a large amount of that number, the policies of the Khmer Rouge led many others to die from starvation and displacement. In terms of the number of people killed as a proportion of the population of the country it ruled, it was one of the most lethal regimes of the 20th century. After four years of the brutal rule, the Khmer Rouge regime was removed from power in 1979 as a result of an invasion by Vietnam.
It was very moving and a reminder that though this period has passed in Cambodia, around the world today there continues to be many more wars, injustices and human rights abuses taking place in countries like Sudan, Palestine, Iraq, Sri Lanka and so on. Sadly it’s often the vulnerable that suffer the most, woman, children and the elderly and though it was sobering and tragic to see these pictures and read some of the stories - many of which involved brainwashed or coerced child soldiers. It was also a powerful tug to my heart as to why I do my job, even as a tiny cog in a much bigger wheel, I can do a little bit that adds to the much more and that inspires me.
The week’s training also included a day’s simulation. Dropped off in rural Cambodia we had been split into three teams and as leader of the third team my group had to respond to a fake Super Typhoon and some of this meant setting up satellite phones and connections to send out global reports, stories and photos plus take footage, conduct interviews and handle rebels who held guns to us while questioning our presence in the village. A first…
We had originally been driven into the area and then as the truck stopped unexpectedly, post crossing a bridge that was missing most of its wooden slats… We were left in the village to make the rest of our way carrying our gear to the spot where we would set up camp and respond to the situation. This included taking a boat, which had seen better days across to the other bank. Unfortunately one of the girls in our group couldn’t swim and this was definitely not a boat with lifejackets! However we arrived safely.
Overall we handled all this well and learnt a great deal during the week, while having the chance to meet some fantastic, talented and passionate people in the process and the course leaders James, Kevin and Steve were inspiring, experienced World Vision guys. I also had a chance to catch up with Chris a good friend of Gareth and I, who I also worked with at WVUK and hear all about the World Vision Challenge Anneka Tsunami Boxing Day project he was organising!
(Chris using the old charm with Anneka)
The final day culminated in a Friday night boat trip, which included the team letting its hair down to karaoke and having a good boogie to the most eclectic and at times seriously dodgy music, while sailing down the Maekong, not an easily forgettable memory!
I then went onto Bangkok for four days, which meant meeting as our mini regional comms team, James, Katie and myself. We had a productive few days, getting to know each other better, planning strategies, an upcoming conf and sharing work plans and progress. Then home to find my lovely husband waiting for me at the gate, though apart for two weeks, which neither of us was looking forward to, the minute we were back together it felt like minutes… What a slush puppy I am!
At the start of the week those of us who had arrived on the Sunday afternoon took the opportunity to explore Phnom Penh and understand more of the history of Cambodia. This included a trip to the Tuol Sleng Khmer Rouge museum, the actual HQ of the party, where many people were tortured or imprisoned.
The Khmer regime is remembered mainly for the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million people, estimates range from 750,000 to 3 million, under its regime, through execution, starvation and forced labor. Although directly responsible for the death of a large amount of that number, the policies of the Khmer Rouge led many others to die from starvation and displacement. In terms of the number of people killed as a proportion of the population of the country it ruled, it was one of the most lethal regimes of the 20th century. After four years of the brutal rule, the Khmer Rouge regime was removed from power in 1979 as a result of an invasion by Vietnam.
It was very moving and a reminder that though this period has passed in Cambodia, around the world today there continues to be many more wars, injustices and human rights abuses taking place in countries like Sudan, Palestine, Iraq, Sri Lanka and so on. Sadly it’s often the vulnerable that suffer the most, woman, children and the elderly and though it was sobering and tragic to see these pictures and read some of the stories - many of which involved brainwashed or coerced child soldiers. It was also a powerful tug to my heart as to why I do my job, even as a tiny cog in a much bigger wheel, I can do a little bit that adds to the much more and that inspires me.
The week’s training also included a day’s simulation. Dropped off in rural Cambodia we had been split into three teams and as leader of the third team my group had to respond to a fake Super Typhoon and some of this meant setting up satellite phones and connections to send out global reports, stories and photos plus take footage, conduct interviews and handle rebels who held guns to us while questioning our presence in the village. A first…
We had originally been driven into the area and then as the truck stopped unexpectedly, post crossing a bridge that was missing most of its wooden slats… We were left in the village to make the rest of our way carrying our gear to the spot where we would set up camp and respond to the situation. This included taking a boat, which had seen better days across to the other bank. Unfortunately one of the girls in our group couldn’t swim and this was definitely not a boat with lifejackets! However we arrived safely.
Overall we handled all this well and learnt a great deal during the week, while having the chance to meet some fantastic, talented and passionate people in the process and the course leaders James, Kevin and Steve were inspiring, experienced World Vision guys. I also had a chance to catch up with Chris a good friend of Gareth and I, who I also worked with at WVUK and hear all about the World Vision Challenge Anneka Tsunami Boxing Day project he was organising!
(Chris using the old charm with Anneka)The final day culminated in a Friday night boat trip, which included the team letting its hair down to karaoke and having a good boogie to the most eclectic and at times seriously dodgy music, while sailing down the Maekong, not an easily forgettable memory!
I then went onto Bangkok for four days, which meant meeting as our mini regional comms team, James, Katie and myself. We had a productive few days, getting to know each other better, planning strategies, an upcoming conf and sharing work plans and progress. Then home to find my lovely husband waiting for me at the gate, though apart for two weeks, which neither of us was looking forward to, the minute we were back together it felt like minutes… What a slush puppy I am!
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