Forgiveness 101:
Lessons from Cambodia
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Un Sokheng, a former Khmer Rouge soldier, and his wife, Ouk Sokhoeun, plant mulberry trees in their garden.
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Pramaoy Village, Cambodia – High in the mountains of Cambodia, near the border with Thailand, sits a living example of forgiveness.
Pramaoy Village is a remote and dangerous place. Venture more than 200 feet from the roads here, and you’re greeted by little orange signs with skull and crossbones: Danger! Landmines! These forgotten weapons not only maim and kill, but they also make farming in many areas hazardous, if not impossible.
The earth yields little anyway. Human activities and conflicts have depleted most of the natural resources, so Pramaoy’s residents often struggle to meet basic needs.
Oeu Sophat, 48, and his wife, Chun, 47, have lived here since 2002. They are surrounded not only by mines, but also former enemies.
Learn more about the dangers of Cambodian landmines
History of conflict
On April 17, 1975, Khmer Rouge forces and their fanatical leader, Pol Pot, captured Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. To begin what would become one of the most brutal Communist regimes in history, Pol Pot abolished money and private property, prohibited education and religious practice and forced citizens to work on communal farms.
During the reign of the Khmer Rouge, more than a million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardship and starvation.
Roughly three years after Pol Pot came to power, Vietnamese forces liberated the country, eventually forcing the Khmer Rouge to surrender. In an effort to repatriate them, the Cambodian government relocated former soldiers to the country’s more mountainous regions, like Pramaoy.
But after many years, civilian families like the Sophats moved (or were relocated) to this area too; many were victims of the Khmer Rouge.
Heifer encourages peace
For years, The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has been working on the Thailand/Cambodia border to provide residents with the basic tools for survival. However, because of its remoteness, few agencies operate this far into rural Cambodia. But Heifer International is offering a sustainable way for residents here to escape poverty. In 2006, Heifer started a project in Cambodia that focused on revitalizing rural communities, including Pramaoy.
Learn more about Heifer’s work
Un Sokhend, 64, and his wife, Ouk Sokhoeum, 54, have lived in this village for 10 years. Un is a former Khmer Rouge fighter; he and his wife are the Sophats’ next door neighbors. In order to prosper, these two families and former enemies had to learn to work together.
At Un and Ouk’s ages, it would be difficult for them to handle a large farm, but with Heifer’s support they manage a large garden where they grow sweet potatoes, peppers, aloe and water spinach, among other plants, including flowers which Un sometimes sells at the local market. As part of the project, the couple also received chickens and a heifer.
When asked whether there have been any problems between community members, especially soldiers and victims, Un is quick to say that there has been no discrimination between the groups; everyone is just happy to have Heifer’s assistance.
“Through my hard life in the jungle,” he said, “I learned that we need to live in peace and love each other.”
Likewise, the Sophats say they have not experienced any fear living among these former soldiers, and they are glad that community project members now have regular meetings where they can talk and help solve problems, discuss proper animal management and share their experiences.
The community also started a savings fund used for making very low interest loans to project participants. Two members recently borrowed money to pay for malaria treatments
Oeu is truly thankful for the assistance that Heifer has given to his community. Prior to becoming a project participant he says that his family “raised animals kind of randomly.”
In May 2006, he received a heifer; seeds to grow the King Grass that he feeds his heifer; seeds for a garden; a hoe for planting his garden; and Mulberry saplings. Oeu has also received proper training from Heifer.
Both families cite Passing on the Gift as their favorite cornerstone. “This is the best approach for helping my community,” Oeu said.
The Sophats have put their training to good use and are now enjoying an abundance they have never seen before. And they can proudly say they owe a part of this new life to their new neighbors and friends.
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