Research Forum on the History of Democratic Kampuchea (1975–1979) Topic: “A daily life of the people during the Khmer Rouge regime and experience of the survivor in the Refugee Camp” By Seang Chenda, Director of Kampong Cham Documentation Center.
On September 13, 2024, the Kampong Cham Documentation Center held its monthly Research Forum on ‘A daily life of the people during the Khmer Rouge regime and experience of the survivor in the Refugee Camp.’ The forum placed an objective to increase the youths’ knowledge on the Khmer Rouge history and expose themselves into the survivors’ experience during the regime. The forum was attended by Kim Ath, a Khmer Rouge survivor and a former refugee at Site Two Refugee Camp on the Cambodian-Thai border and a group of thirty youths from Cheung Prey District. The forum’s agenda followed a presentation on the Khmer Rouge history (1975–1979), a film screening, a panel discussion with a survivor who shared her experience during the Khmer Rouge regime and while seeking refuge after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime and a visit at the Community Genocide Memorial. Upon arriving at the Center’s compound, the youth delegation was greeted and introduced by our staff about the mission of the Kampong Cham Documentation Center as of DC-Cam’s provincial branches. Then, Seang Chenda, Director of Kampong Cham DC, briefly presented the Khmer Rouge History focusing on major historical events from the Lon Nol coup in early 1970, the rise of the Khmer Rouge, the forced transfer, the daily life, and the massacre of the people. Before his presentation came to an end, he screened a documentary film entitled ‘The Cambodian Children.’ The purpose of the screening was to allow the youths to look more at the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge Genocide Regime. The film narrated the story of how genocide destructed the country and its people and continued to suffer the children of the unsurvived. The film builds not only an empathetical but a spiritual attachment to the youths as the today young generation.
To extend their understanding on the experience and post-genocide impact, the youths had an opportunity to have an intergenerational dialogue with Kim Ath, a KR survivor and a former refugee at the Site Two Refugee Camp. Kim Ath took the floor by saying her first words ‘I’m looking at you and I am very happy’ and starting to share her life story:
“I currently lives in Beong Kok 2 village, Beong Kok commune, Kampong Cham provincial town. When I was a child, I went to Oddar Primary School studying until Grade 6th (old system). In 1969, I moved to live with my elder sister in Battambang province. After the Lon Nol coup in 1970, my mother picked me up in Battambang province to return back to Kampong Cham province. But, at that time, we could not travel by car because the Khmer Rouge captured most parts of Battambang province. We decided to travel by plane, so my elder sister was able to buy two tickets. My mother and sister flew back first. I lived with my brother-in-law and nephew. In 1973, the war between the Lon Nol soldiers and Khmer Rouge forces was getting worse. We kept escaping from the war zone from one place to another. When the Khmer Rouge forces marched into Phnom Penh, Battambang provincial town collapsed. I was transferred to Anlong Vil village, Sangke District. Having arrived at the Anlong Vil site, I was asked by the Khmer Rouge what my parents did in the previous regime. I replied that they were a farmer. The Khmer Rouge kept asking me if I had a father who served as a soldier, but I consistently said no. I told them that I was an orphan. On the next day, I was sent to do the farming with other people. In 1976, I was transferred to Pailin where I had an arranged marriage by by the Khmer Rouge.”
“The Khmer Rouge arranged me to marry a disabled person. I refused it. I begged the Khmer Rouge and she told me to choose to get married or go to work at the potato plantation. I was unsure if they would kill me there.”
“On the next morning, I was transported to the potato plantation to work along with four other women who also refused to get married. We were watched all times and could have been taken away to execution when we made a mistake. We were very worried. At night, I saw people walked by the Khmer Rouge to be killed. In 1977, I was given another task to harvest rice. The Khmer Rouge always came to examine my work. I lived a hard life during the regime because I was a New People from Battambang provincial town. In 1977, I was assigned to harvest rice. The Khmer Rouge always monitored and checked my work. I was heavily trained by the Khmer Rouge. In 1978, I was dispatched to dig a dam with a group of other women and female youth. At the dam site, I had to work from dusk till dawn and during the period of full moon, I had to an extra work starting from 8 pm till 12 midnight. I worked at the dam until the forces of the United Front for the National Salvation of Kampuchea liberated the country. At that time, I did not return to Kampong Cham province but fled to seek safety in a refugee camp along the Cambodian-Thai border. I was put to live at the Site Two Refugee Camp. I live there for several months and found out that my brother-in-law and my nephew were granted an acceptance to live in a third country. My name was also on the list but with a concern over my family at Kampong Cham province, I decided not to go abroad and returned to get reunited with my parents and siblings. Since then on, I have no in-touch with my brother-in-law and nephew. My last message to all of you is that I am tired of war and genocide. I am tired of digging and lifting earth. I am traumatized by it all. Therefore, I am grateful that I can have a second life after the 1979 liberation.”
After the talk about the survivor speaker’s experience during the regime, a lively discussion with questions exchanged as below:
Q1: Why were there so many Cambodian orphans after the Khmer Rouge Genocide Regime?
Q2: How did the Khmer Rouge rise to power?
Q3: How was life in the refugee camp?
Q4: What countries accepted the Cambodian refugees?
Q5: Did you lose any family members?
At the end of the research forum, the youths held a site visit at both of DC-Cam’s Community Genocide Memorials in Koh Sotin and Kampong Siem communities. These Community Genocide Memorials provide physical and virtual forums dedicated to survivors and the disabled to connect, socialize and share their experiences in routine challenges and common struggles. The purpose is to give a voice to (and elevate public awareness of) the experiences, challenges, and common struggles of Khmer Rouge survivors and the disabled by providing an opportunity to connect, socialize and share their experiences, challenges, and common struggles (past and present).
Vorn Srey Na, a Grade-11 student at Hun Sen Skun High School, expressed that:
“I learn a lot from the today forum. Before, I do not know how Cambodian people have lived in many countries in the world. It is due to the war and genocide. In addition, I first-hand listen to the story of the survivor in a complete life story. I once hear some from my grandparents who instruct me. I will bring what I know today to share with my family at home and friends at school. I will ask my grandparents if they have been to the refugee camp.”
Voeurn Sovannary, another Grade-11 student at Hun Sen Skun High School, impressed that:
‘“I gain more knowledge on the Khmer Rouge history and also know about the difficult experience that the people faced during the KR regime. Even though the Khmer Rouge regime collapsed on January 7, 1979, Cambodian people still face a lot of challenges like the high number of orphans, the loss of beloved family members and post-genocide daily survival. What interested me in the dialogue with Aunty Kim Ath was her experience in the camp. She had an opportunity to live in a better life in another country. But, she chose to be with the family in the country. In addition, I also have an opportunity to visit the memorial site where I can learn about the village history there … what happened to the people in these villages.”
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