(Barbed wire was around the buildings so no one could jump to their death)
(Faces of Children Killed)
The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was created on orders from Pol Pot on April 17th, 1975. These buildings were previously a school. This office was called S-21 and was used for the detention, interrogation, inhuman torture, and killing after confessions were received from detainees. 
On January 7th, 1979 the government collected all the evidence in S-21, including corpses and some of these items are on display.
I‘m sharing this small, but brutal part of Cambodian history with you so that you will understand more about this country and these beautiful people. Understanding where a nation came from is important in understanding why some of the country is how it is today.
Because so many people were killed the average age is 22 years old and 50% of the population is under 15 years old. This is a young country and truly still struggling to rebuild. Most of the people targeted and killed were educated, doctors, teachers, lawyers. It was easier to brainwash the children and make them solders, so older people were killed. Cambodia needs many teachers to re-teach these professions well. The government is also corrupt. You can get a doctor or teacher certificate for the right price. Teachers are among some of the worst paid in this country, so not above being bribed. This does not lead to expertise in certain fields. Because of the government, much of the money given by the US and other nations does not reach the people and they still live in poverty. There are some very wealthy people and no middle class. Most live in poverty, with some of the biggest smiles I have ever seen.
I tell you this because making the crimes of the Khmer Rough public plays a role in preventing a new Pol Pot from emerging in the land of Cambodia or anywhere else on earth.
I tell you this also because in spite of all this country has endured, the land and people are beautiful. It has been almost a decade since my last trip here and I love it even more now then the first time.
“First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.” – Matthew 8:22
“I see an expression so clear so true, That changes the atmosphere when you walk into the room. So, I try to be like you” – Bono
