Modern-Day Slavery

This Video Essay was submitted by Tim Matsui

As the Khmer Rouge trials proceed, Cambodia continues to search for recognition, resolution and healing. The country’s traumas stem from genocide and 30 years of occupation and civil war. Many Cambodians are repeating their traumas, inflicting them upon subsequent generations. One of those stories is human slavery.

These three video clips tell part of that story. This first clip is of Sophea. Educated and of a relatively wealthy background, she is still dogged by seeing the execution of her father by child soldiers. Her trauma persists today. As an outlet for her pain she grew involved with ASEFIP, an organization that works to eliminate sex trafficking in Cambodia and to care for survivors.

Sophea, Khmer Rouge Survivor

Cambodia: Sophea from timmatsui.com on Vimeo.

The second clip is of Srey Neth. Because her family was poor, her mother sold Srey Neth to a pimp at age 14. After years of recovery, she uses her suffering to motivate herself to help others. I met Srey Neth at Transitions Global, which employs a transitional living model. The living center helps victimized teens regain their sense of self, their hopes and dreams, and provides them with education and skills. These young women have opportunities exceeding those of many Cambodians; they go on to become teachers, computer techs and translators.


Victim-Survivor Srey Neth

Cambodia: Srey Neth from timmatsui.com on Vimeo.

Sailors, Cambodians work together, provide medical aid in Pursa

This article was cross-posted from Okinawa Marine

Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz PURSAT PROVINCE, Cambodia (May 22, 2009)

Cambodian Medical personnel with 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, stand with members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and nongovernmental organizations during the opening ceremony of the Cambodian Interoperability Program May 11 at a Buddhist temple in Pursat Province, Cambodia. Photo by Lance Cpl. Stefanie C. Pupkiewicz.

U.S. Navy medical personnel from 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, here, participated in Cambodian Interoperability Program 2009, a medical and dental capabilities exercise which started May 11.

The program, which began in 2007 as a combined medical exercise between U.S. and Cambodian forces, is designed to increase the interaction and ability of both forces in responding to a humanitarian crisis. For this year's exercise, an estimated 10,000 people received medical and dental assistance.

An opening ceremony was held May 11 at Wat Bakan, a Buddhist temple, here. Hundreds of people assembled outside the temple where medical and dental services were administered by 3rd Med. Bn. sailors, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and local nongovernmental organizations.

"This combined medical exercise is designed to keep the sailors combat ready and to coordinate with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to treat the people of Pursat Province," said Maj. John Cherry, the Cambodian foreign affairs officer for the III MEF.