Back from camping
I am back from my camping trip. I spent several days and nights with American school children. The trip made me realize and taught me many things. Children are great people, they live a simple life. All they want is love, fun and shelter. It was fun… As a child of war, I did not have my childhood like these children, during this trip I took the opportunity to be one of them, I pushed my adult life and pretended to be one of the little girl in the group. I played, sang and laughed with them to my wildest. It was very special, I cannot describe the feelings. When nights fell, the children came closer and circled my bed, they shared stories with me about their lives, shockingly many of them broke into tears. These beautiful children have broken families, the majority of their parents are divorced or experienced domestic violence. Most of them live with single parent and some live with grand-parents. I was aware and have heard about the high divorce rate in America but never thought that these issue terribly affect children. They were traumatized! They told me that they are scarred their father might beat up the mother, or the step dad would rape them, or the mom have boyfriend and leave them alone. As I was listening to them, I got infuriated and so frustrated. WHY ADULTS can be so cruel? We have something in common, our experiences are different but these children and my war stories both were caused by the stupid adults. Adults should seriously reconsider peace and stop the violence.
Photos at the camp.
 Children boating at the lake |
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 The water from snow melting. |
 Children were lining up for flag retreat. |
 Night camp out |
 Scats (deer poop). I thought deer’s poop is like cow’s dung or buffalo but they are different, the deer scats look like Chinese pills. |
 Rock climbing. |
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Hmmm…so sad to hear this story. I am sorry to sis. that you had no childhood due to the war. And I am sorry to those kids who live in broken families. To be honest, I had no childhood too. My parents were so strict and wished me just to concentrate only on my study. Everyday, I was crazy with my reading. I love reading so much since my early age. I read many different kind of books list from literature, history, science…Hence, I was put away from other kids in the village and finally I had no childhood as other kids. Sad rite?
Btw, those kids are so cute and lovely.
May God bless those kids.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:07 am
B.S,
I didn’t expect to hear stories from American children at the camp. They looked happy, well-fed, have a place to live and able to go to school but when I heard their stories, it is very sad. In their pure wide eyes, how can parents so cruel? Very irresponsible adults.
-Case like refugees children, there wasn’t any option. No school, no shelter, no food. Life was always dangerous and extremely harsh. We lived with fear day and night. Day by day and never knew what would happen.
-You didn’t have childhood memory, I think you were more fortunate to have parents who cared about your future and abled to send you to school. I believe strict parents are good, children need to be disciplined while young. But there should be a balance between study and play. In all, parents have a goal. It’s all for good. One day you will be thankful for your parents.
-Books are great. I love them too, I wish I had the opportunity to learn at young age like you had.
Yes, it’s sad that most of Khmer children do not have childhood experience. Sometimes, I wonder how it feels like to have childhood memory.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Tevy
Hi, I talked to you on khmer bistro before. It is sad to hear about the children, but it is happening around the world. I have 3 children of my own. One son is in college my second son will be graduated from high school in a few weeks. My youngest daughter is in preschool. I have been though Pol Pot war for 5 years. You have to teach and love the children in early age. My husband and I are member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints( The Mormon Church) you might not know who they are. Each one of my kid has been taught in early age to love and care and to help others around them. Love is key for all children no matter what age they are, they never too old to recieve love from parents and family member. We have our family night one a week to talk about what we can do to help each other and find out what happen during the week. I have helped so many children here in America and the same in Cambodia by helping them to go find education. It is sad to see children grow up without love from parents. Today the Mormon Church is the biggest church in Cambodia. I will be back to Cambodia next year with a goup of doctors and nurses to help with medical clinic and children that rescue from bad places. My children will be serving their mission for the church sometimes and hope to be able to go to Cambodia to help.
Anyway I would like to wish you and the rest of your group a Happy Khmer New Year….and look forward to see your good recipes for khmer bistro someday.
Take care
Tevy
April 11th, 2008 at 7:19 am