Hey Everyone! This month we switched teams! We are working in Battambang, Cambodia for the month! For those who don’t know that much about Cambodia, here are 11 facts that I have learned:
- The Kingdom of Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation bordered by Vietnam to the east, Laos to the north, and Thailand to the northwest.
- The Khmer Rouge took power in 1975 and orchestrated a Cambodian genocide for the next four years. Records estimate that about a quarter of the population was killed during this time. Professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and teachers were targeted and killed as well as ethnic minority groups. While in power, the Khmer Rouge created a program that included isolating the country from all foreign influences, closing schools, hospitals, and factories, abolishing banking and currency, and making all religions illegal. They emptied the cities by force, confiscating all private property and relocated people to farms to force labor. Many people were overworked, starved or died from treatable diseases. Since the fall of the regime, Cambodia has been recovering demographically and economically; but still is effected from the scars of the past. Cambodia was once one of the most land-mined countries in the world.
- According to Wikipedia, “the level of corruption in Cambodia exceeds most countries in the world.”
- The local currency is called Riel; but US dollars can be used. One dollar is worth 4000 Riel; so a wallet full of Riel can be worth 50 cents or so!
- Much of the population lives on less than the equivalent of $1 USD a day. People who are considered middle class make about $150 USD a month.
- Cambodia is one of the world’s poorest countries and lacks reliable medical facilities, doctors, clinics, hospitals and medication, especially in rural areas. Pharmacies are readily available where people can just buy medications without a prescriptions. This causes the complication of people to be on many medications at higher doses than recommended. Through personal experience, I learned that local clinic make money from selling prescriptions; and can also be unreliable in prescribing just what you may need.
- Cambodia has two distinct seasons. The rainy season, which runs from May to October, can see temperatures drop to 70 °F and is generally accompanied with high humidity. The dry season lasts from November to April when temperatures can rise up to 104 °F.
- Common foods include: Rice, meat using all parts of the animal, noodles, dragon fruit, jack fruit, rice, pineapple, coconut, rice, and an assortment of vegetables My favorite dish so far has homemade Lok lak that our host’s lovely wife made for us one night. It includes chopped up beef with lots of flavor. It is served with a simple dipping sauce made from lime juice and black pepper, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and French fries.
- If you love the show Bizarre Foods, Cambodia is the place to visit! Roadside stands have many international delicacies to try like: tarantulas, sunbaked clams, crickets, rat and snake. Bon Appetite!
- Tuk tuks and motos are common transportation in Cambodia. Beware of tuk tuk drivers not being sure where to go and driving in circles for a bit, asking their friends where to go. I recommend making friends with a great and reliable tuk tuk driver in town! Motos are easier to ride on than I expected; but can be tricky when coming back from a market with a handful of groceries!
- Prostitution is illegal but widespread. Cambodia is also known for having child prostitution. Children can be considered an asset for families and a way to make money. Families and orphan homes have been found to selling children into the sex industry as a way to make money. Southeast Asia has a fast-growing HIV infection rate, and among Cambodian sex workers this is about 1 in 8.
