Our goals were not lofty, just to connect and to make life a bit better for these indomitable people who never allow their hardship to define them.
Journeys for Good traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia with a group of volunteers and their families. During their weeklong stay, the volunteers built wheelchairs & worked on small construction efforts to make homes for disabled residents more accessible. They also had opportunities with help local school children practice their English.
The need in Cambodia is great. The people here have been hit hard, time and again. In 1969, the US engaged in a 4-year bombing campaign, killing several hundred thousand civilians. Then, in the mid-1970’s, under the brutal dictator Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge regime, it is estimated that between 1.7 and 2.5 million people died from execution, disease and starvation in forced labor camps. It was a nightmarish time that left the people of Cambodia devastated and the economy in ruins.
Throughout the experience, the volunteers shared their insights and revelations and left with a renewed appreciation for their Western lives and a sense of commonality with the Cambodian people.
Webisodic content from this trip was awarded with a Telly award and shaped into an Emmy award-winning half hour documentary for public television.
Voluntour Partner: Globe Aware