Pagoda boys, this week Poor Cambodian Children

These are poor little boys I raised during my stay in Wat Preah Puth Mean Bun, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. They are innocent; they should have been raised well in the society where they were born. Yet, they were left behind by the society or at least their parents. After watch this video, do not forget to pay a respect by clicking “Like or Share” to tell the world that we need help for poor children, especially in Cambodia. My last comment is that governance and human security in Cambodia need very much to be strengthened here and now.

Education is officially free in Cambodia and available to all, though there are many costs, (both official and unofficial), and other barriers, that prevent children from attending. Children go to school for half a day, either mornings or afternoons, and a credible 80%+ of children enroll for primary school. Costs of school uniforms, books and other materials, the need to travel greater distances, and unofficial fees, mean that only 26% start lower secondary school and just 9% start upper secondary school; (these are the averages for both sexes? The situation is far worse in rural areas and for girls). Teachers? Salaries are only $30 to $50 per month and they cannot survive on this so are forced to charge unofficial attendance fees, or fees for extra tuition, or for examination results etc. Such fees are beyond the means of the poorest families, and as children get older they are needed to work at home, so the problem is doubly difficult.

Completion of the secondary school certificate, and increasingly, being able to speak, read, and write English, are important prerequisites for getting a decent job. Without basic literacy and numeric skills it is difficult to get any job. A lack of education locks many people into a perpetual poverty cycle: no education means no job; no job means no money; no money means no education.

Cambodia is a land of stark contrasts. It has stunning natural beauty, the awe-inspiring temples and monuments of a great civilization, unique ecosystems, and has made considerable progress from the dark days of the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970’s. Nevertheless, in common with many developing countries, the benefits from this progress are not evenly spread. It is still one of the world’s poorest nations and grinding poverty is a fact of life for many people.

Children growing up without the protection of their families can often find themselves the victims of crime and in contact with the law. Over 23% of Cambodia’s population lives in the south-eastern provinces of Kampong Cham, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng. This region is one of the poorest in the country. Many parents are forced to migrate to find work, and have to leave their children behind. Girls and boys in these areas are growing up alone, with no one to take care of them, and are often coming into contact with the law – either as victims of crime or as the accused.  

A large number of crimes are committed whilst children are protecting themselves and those close to them from violence. Some will have been forced to steal by older children also living on the streets, or by adults keen to exploit their vulnerability. Crimes against children are rarely brought to the attention of the authorities.

If children are detained for a crime the Cambodian justice system treats them as adults. It doesn’t matter if they’re innocent or guilty, how young they are or the nature of the crime, they will be immediately detained.  Separated from their families these children are confused, frightened and have no one to help them

If they are convicted of a crime, their sentences are often very harsh even for small offences, with no options for non-custodial alternatives and they will be kept with adult prisoners. Inmates are often forced to live and sleep in one cramped space, with very basic facilities and sanitation, and food is always limited. Children are particularly vulnerable to attacks from their fellow prisoners and even the guards who should be protecting them.

Amazing temple - Prasat Bakong Temple, Siem Reap

Cambodian said to be proud having such wonderful and thousand of temples in the whole country, most of which build before and during 14th century. Today, our journey took place in one famous temple in Siem Reap province. The temple is called "Prasat Bakong" in Khmer "ប្រាសាទបាគង". Through this video clip, it provides a lot of attractive scenery with some explanation from our local guide. Historically, this temple was built earlier than the most famous Angkor Wat that's why we can see the temple hardly stands against this polluted environment. The temple need to be preserved as such inclusive participation highly recommended. Join with Cambodian and UNESCO to preserve ancient temple.

Detail Description:

Bakong is located at Roluos south of Preah Ko. Enter and leave the temple at the east. A modern Buddhist temple is situated to the right of the east entrance to Bakong. It was build in late ninth century (881) by king Indravarman I dedicated to Siva (Hindu) followed Prah Ko art style.

The temple of Bakong is built on an artificial mountain and enclosed in a rectangular area by two walls. It has a square base with five tiers. The first, or outside, enclosure (not on the plan) (900 by 700 meters, 2,953 by 2,297 feet) surrounds a moat with an embankment and causeways on four sides, which are bordered by low Naga balustrades.

The second and smaller enclosure has an entry tower of sandstone and laterite in the center of each side of the wall. There were originally 22 towers inside the first enclosures. After passing through the entry tower at the east one comes to a long causeway decorated with large seven-headed serpents across a moat. Long halls on each side lie parallel to the eastern wall. They were probably rest houses for visitors.

The square-shaped base (10) has five tiers with a stairway on each of the four sides and, at the base, a step in the shape of a moonstone. Remains of a small structure can be seen at the base of the stairway fairway flanked by two sandstone blocks, which may have held sculpted figures.

Elephants successively smaller in size stand at the corners of the first three tiers of the base. The fourth tier is identified by twelve small sandstone towers, each of which originally contained a linga. The fifth tier is framed by a molding decorated with a frieze of figures (barely visible) the ones on the south side are in the best condition.

Cambodian's indegenous Wedding Culture

Siem Reap is one of the most famous city in Cambodia and Asia. There are many things attractive to be experience. As often said, those who visited Siem Reap do not want to leave. They usually extend their stay because they are hungry to enjoy visiting thousand temples, unique culture, delicious food, hospitalized stay and safer to walk around. Like they were said, this video shows beautiful girls and boys acting in particular wedding culture in Asia. It is very funny to watch also. If Cambodia is your destination of traveling, do not look over Siem Reap. Sure, it is very joyful and timeless stay.

Why indegenous Wedding Culture is celebrating in Cambodia?
There has been such long tradition that Cambodia is a country respecting diversity. Although it is predominantly Khmer ethnic but Cambodia is always welcoming other ethnicities to live altogether peacefully and harmony. Consequently, throughout the country and as most visitors often see Cambodian government is encouraging to organize such activities to promote culture of diversity. As in Siem Reap province, Cambodian and general visitors locally and internationally could come and enjoy the play of different tribes in Phumi Vabthor in Khmer or Cultural Village in English. From early morning till late at night, this village opens for visitors with low fee entrance. Visitors can come and buy tickets at the counter or via online.

What are they doing so far in this village?
They will be lots of plays from many tribes showing their way of life and how they have been evolved over time. There are Chinese, Kola, Kreng, Khmer American, Vietnamese, and also the big show of King Jayavaraman the 7th.

Poor children leaving behind Angkor Wat

Poor children at Angkor Wat temple is selling some souvenirs or gifts in order to earn a living.

What happens to their parents? Who care them? Or do all these children have to take care of their mother, fathers instead. It seems like that. They are working all say long to sell some gift to visitors around Angkor War temple. For most visitors, they fear of these children. They did not buy any gifts from them. They did not even pay attention to the children's difficulty and suffering. Who care? Probably, visitors both national and international may think that it is not their responsbility; it's their parents or government respsobility and accountability. That is why visitors just pass by and never drop their one or both eyes on these poor children.

This is not an accepted behavior. Visitors and those who meet them should do something. Help as much they can. The best and very first thing they should do is to make happy with hope. Then can buy them a book to read or rather buy those children's gift. Also, better find a suitable place for them to get education. It can be in NGOs school or public school. At least, say some words to them and don't make them hurt if you can't do other thing else.

So sad to make this video clip and I'm sure it is also so pity for you to watch it. At the same time few people enjoy making a lot of money from Angkor Wat, becoming richest in the country, living in a good villa, eating delicious food, driving modern cars and wearing civilized clothes, many, especially poor children from very poor family, are left behind. During my journey to Angkor Wat, I had interviewed with those children about their everyday life. I've asked them about studying: they tend to answer nothing. Yes, they said they went to school but not so often or temporarily leave school for their business. In fact, they are on the street selling some souvenirs and others for a living. I don't know if they do this because their parents force or not. But I know for sure that they have to be strong and survive. That's why started to earn for a living since very little. This is the tragedy for the country. The share-earning from Angkor Wat may go only to few people and not everyone that is why we usually see poor living on the street of the modern city. Governance and human security seem very low in this society.