Of Mice and Men…

If the best laid plans of mice and men oft gone awry, then those laid in Cambodia are probably less realistic than the mouse actually having a well thought-out plan in the first place!

Although we have learnt from experience that plans are always subject to change, we have bravely ventured to write down some of our hopes for the year ahead – hopes we have for ourselves and for wider Cambodia.

Here they are, with plenty of caveats attached…

Relationships, Relationships, Relationships!
Considering how often we talk about relationships, it sometimes feels like we have remarkably few of them! Many of the people who came into our lives during the first few months have drifted away for one reason or another. Those who are still there (e.g. neighbors and colleagues at AAC) we continue to search for ways to connect with them. But some knew ones have come in, like Jun, our good friend who is living with us for a few months and giving us a good excuse to practice our Khmer, even if it’s not nearly as good as his English!

Goal: Get to know better the Khmers we already know and find some more Khmers to get to know (!?!?)

The art of empathy
Although we have not taken a vow of poverty, perfected the Khmer ‘crouch’ (it’s painful and difficult but handy if there’s no chair nearby) or grown to like snacks such as Fertilized Duck Eggs or Fried Grub Worms, we want to do more to empathise with our fellow Khmers this year. It will almost certainly involve trying new foods and maybe even the challenge of living below the poverty line for a week (if I can talk Laura into it, that is!). Any other (reasonable) suggestions would be most welcome, as long as they don’t involve giving up our colonial mansion with giant swimming pool.

Goal: Take more trips down from our lofty perch and find out how the common people live. Fertilized Duck Egg, anyone?

Let justice flow
Although 2m people were murdered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge during their brutal four-year reign of terror (1975 – 79), not one of them has yet been brought to justice. The UN-backed tribunal to try the leaders of the Khmer Rouge officially began over 10 years ago. Since that time, several high-profile leaders have died, the Cambodian Government has repeatedly stalled for time (ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers are now leading Govt. officials) and the patience and funds of the UN have almost worn out. There may be some hope for justice to flow like a mighty river and healing to be brought to this hurting land during the next year, but many fear that this will be another year of waiting for the Khmer Rouge Trials to begin while fearing that hope will once again be deferred.

Goal: For the public cry for justice to be so overwhelming that it breaks the political deadlock and allows the river to start to flow.

The children of the revolution
The kids of Cambodia are coming of age and a revolution of sorts might just be round the corner. A staggering 55% of the current population is under-20 and an increasing number of them are coming through the education system and eager to have the chance to shape the future of their country. The big question is: Will the old guard let them? In business, politics and even community development, widespread nepotism and cronyism means that only those with enough cash or the right connections are able to access these jobs. That means that only 1 in 9 university graduates are currently able to find employment after they graduate.

Goal: For those in power to realise they are killing the future of their country and for them to let go and let the younger generation come in with fresh ideas and vision.

Who knows what will happen during the next twelve months (well, eleven actually by the time I get round to writing this). Living in Cambodia is a daily reminder of the uncertainties of the future.

However, as the old Roman saying goes: “While there is life, there is hope.”