I have learnt how Cambodia’s tragic history has shaped its future. I have also learnt how to help people and the need to help them.
Erin Woodgate – Year 12

I have realised that everyone and anyone can do something to help.
Emma Doyle – Year 11

The 28 students, staff and community support team members, who returned to life in Brisbane last Friday morning, could never have truely prepared themselves for the life changing experience of house building in Cambodia.

They were unaware that beyond the words in history books and travel guides laid a complex and intimate story of a courageous people who struggle to rebuild their country following the end of a 30 year civil war a decade ago. They did not understand the human cost of poverty, HIV Aids and food shortages as a legacy of war. Nor could they have ever comprehended the evil required of human beings to commit torture and genocide on their own people.

Possibly they were most unprepared for the smiles, laughter and gratitude of a proud and dignified people who when interest is shown, are prepared to tell their stories. We would like to take this opportunity to share some of what we learnt, house building in Cambodia.

House Building in the Commune of Sre Kror Sang, Kompon Speu Province
A translated interview with Commune Leader Mr So Pat

The Commune of Sre Kror Sang is a very different place to the happy and prosperous village which existed before the time of the Khmer Rouge.

In 1975 Pol Pot’s cadres took control of the village and relocated its people in a district to the south. This was a very difficult time as many died. Toward the end of the war the young males of the village were conscripted into the Cambodian Militia to fight alongside the Vietnamese Army against the Khmer Rouge.

When the war ended these soldiers were discharged but were left with chronic physical and psychological injuries. They returned home with their families to the Village of Sre Kror Sang to find that the new government had reclaimed the land, leaving them with a small area of 20 hectares.

Difficult times continued as there was not enough land to grow the rice and vegetables needed to feed the families. A number of the older people, who had survived the labour farms of the Khmer Rouge, and some of the small children, died during this time.

Since then, the Village has now become a Commune where 400 disabled men have resettled their families. The men come to Sre Kror Sang as they no longer wish to live in their own villages as their disabilities have brought them great shame.

Some of the men who are able to work earn a small wage by doing maintenance work or cutting rye on the local farms. Many of the villagers are too frightened to leave the Commune as they continue to believe that the Khmer Rouge will hear of them and come back.

The 20 families of Sre Kror Sang are very thankful to the building team. This is the second Tabitha team who have come to the Commune and now 30 families have a new house. The families did not know they were saving for a house until a couple of weeks ago. The men cried when Tabitha told them a team was coming to build houses as they never thought they would have a big house like this. Now the families can save to send their children to school and buy medicine when they are sick.

The Commune would like to thank Pine Rivers Building Team and wish you all good luck. They will remember your kindness for the rest of their lives.

I have realised that not everyone is as lucky as we are in Australia and how we take so many things for granted.
Richard McKay – Year 10

It was great to give something to people who have so little. I used to think that charity was just giving money but the trip made me see it differently.
Samantha Morgan – Year 12

I realised that different countries have different attitudes and beliefs to ours and we really need to respect that.
Julieann Martin – Year 12

Final Thank You

The students, staff and community support team would like to say a final thank you to all those who supported our efforts. Without your help, guidance and generosity this project would not have existed. We would also like to thank Ms Janelle Deakin, our Principal, for her bravery and trust in our ability to achieve something quite out of the ordinary.

On reflection, it is now clear to us that this generation of students will be the ones to make a difference in the world. Thank you again for giving them the opportunity to see what is possible.

I think the world is lacking in global citizens and there needs to be more. I think this trip is the beginning of a revolution (revelation?) of people who want to make a difference.
Amy Wilkosz – Year 12

I believe volunteering for the poorer people of our world has greatly increased my motivation to become a better global citizen.
Jessica Saunders – Year 12

Pine Rivers State High School Tabitha Foundation House Building Team July 2008

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