Dust From A Distant Sun: How The Sex Trade And Complex History Of Cambodia Dawned On Me

Rosie Underwood, another one of our recruits on foot in Cambodia, reports on how a small encounter with a Cambodian man opened her eyes to the local sex trade, and the real effects of the Khmer Rouge...

Arriving in Cambodia, I was greeted with a wave of heat; hotter than I expected, I thought the maximum temperature was likely to be 30 degrees (but I was wrong). Aside from adjusting to the temperature and getting over the jet lag, we eased into our trip by trying out some nice restaurants and meeting some wonderfully friendly people...
 
On my second day I was taken to a project that provides education and support to street children. I was shown around, and struck by how colourful and vibrant the centre was, especially the sport and artroom.

'He then went on to tell of how his mother did not like him wearing girl's clothes, threw him out of their home, and so he was forced into the sex trade to earn a living'

It's easy to understand why children would feel at home in this open and lively place. The children are provided with vocational training in five areas after graduating from school. These are: beauty therapy, sewing, mechanics, electronics, and hospitality.

At dinner time we were taken to the restaurant where the trainee chefs practice their culinary skills. Again, a fantastic atmosphere, and the food was incredible too. The way these children are brought from having near-no ambition to realising their potential is fantastic. It is obvious how effective the service that 'Friends International' is providing...
 
After lunch I was taken to a drop-in centre for homosexual men; having the oportunity to question some of the men who participate in their peer education intiative, I got stuck in. It was here I met a man named Rachana, who started his story by telling me most of his family had been killed by the Khmer Rouge. He then went on to tell of how his mother did not like him wearing girl's clothes, threw him out of their home, and so he was forced into the sex trade to earn a living.

When Rachana began visiting the drop-in centre he had little knowledge of HIV. No longer working in the sex trade, Rachana now enjoys being part of their project, and educating others about the virus.

Taking the notes during our conversation, I was very moved by the raw, honest and factual way Rachana stated how his family had been killed. It was at this time that, not only the Khmer Rouge regime, but the reality of the sex trade and the complex history of this beautiful country really started to hit me...

Words: Rosie Underwood. Rosie is in Cambodia as part of a Christian Aid gap year trip - reporting for Ctrl.Alt.Shift. Follow all the Cambodia trip blogs here [1].
Photos: Eva Baker