Street kids and Tuol Sleng

Peace sign is universal
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The first thing we did in Phnom Penh was a rushed tour of the National museum.  It was pretty interesting but we didn't have enough time or background information to fully appreciate it.  Just outside the museum we were surrounded by street kids begging for money.  Instead, we gave them our drinks and watched in amazement as they made sure everyone got an equal sip.  Walking to the water front we were shocked to see so many beggars, amputees and street kids.  This was definitely the poorest city we had visited during our travels.  We sat along the water and quickly made friends with two young girls.  Neither was wearing shoes or shirts but they were still smiling.  They played with us and climbed all over us.  Gradually, more kids came over and everyone wanted to take pictures with our cameras.  As we got up to leave they all started begging for money and food.  We left them feeling helpless, wishing we could bring them home.

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The next day we visited Tuol Sleng museum.  Tuol Sleng used to be a high school and then was used as a concentration camp during the Khmer Rouge invasion.  The buildings have been left almost as they were during that time.  We saw the instruments of torture, the bloodstains on the floor and the hundreds of pictures of prisoners.  The Khmer Rouge had meticulously photographed and recorded information of every single prisoner just before they were executed.  The people in the photos were being killed for inane reasons; some spoke French, some had college degrees, others wore glasses.  They had to be exterminated because Pol Pot wanted to create a pure society of simple farmers.  Our guide kept pointing out pictures of people and saying "this man sister was here last week, she had been looking for him".  The shadow of the Khmer Rouge still looms heavy for many families.

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The good news about Phnom Penh is there seems to be a huge NGO presence and lots of help.  We ate at some really good restaurants/NGO's that employ and train street kids.  We made a donation to one of our favorites ('Friends International'), buying a brick for their new building where they provide support, education, vocational training, medical care and shelter to around 1800 street children every day.  If you're interested in learning more or want to make a donation check out; www.friendsbuildingfutures.org