The photo above was taken at the Killing Fields in Cambodia, a place where some of the mass execution and genocide of the Cambodian people took place. Over 25% of the population of the country was murdered this way. There is hardly anyone in the country who does not have a relative who died.
Cambodia is still terribly poor. There are still many amputees who lost limbs from landmines. There are children beggars. It is impossible to visit this country without seeing and experiencing the horrifying poverty. Much of the poverty today is the result of greed, which will not improve with the development of the country and the multinational corporations that are starting to show up. It is, of course, because of corruption too, which always goes hand in hand with the worship of riches and luxury.
However, having said this, it is a beautiful place; not just because of the temples and other wonderful sights, but mostly because of the people who have not lost hope. They still smile and they are still beautiful.
No comments:
Post a Comment