Bk in 2005 I spent 8 months in #Cambodia working on an #ArtTherapy project with landmine victims.

Genocide & war were something unreal to me back then, just something on the news that happened elsewhere.

Then I came face to face with the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge 1/7

The sheer brutality, cruelty & suffering of an astoundingly beautiful country and race took me from young uni grad to worldly woman quickly. The gut wrenching realisation of the privilege Id lived compared 2 the terror, poverty and trauma faced by an entire country ...

In the 1970’s The Khmer Rouge took control of the country led by Pol Pot. Their regime was highly totalitarian, xenophobic, paranoid, and repressive and led to a genocide taking 1.5-2 Million Khmer (Cambodian) lives (25% of the population!!!)

I’m a big believer in the beauty of humanity but our darkness can’t be denied. These pics just 1 monument in just 1 rural village. I was shown inside...

This was just 30 yrs before I was there - 45 now. The aftermath - the post traumatic stress still very much alive today.

#ArtTherapy and research for the hospital was all I could offer in my 20’s & I fear I took more from the country than I really gave,but I did give all I could

Today Cambodia learns that Comrade Duch, a former senior figure of Khmer Rouge has died. I cant celebrate his death, that doesn’t fit who I am. but I do hope this news helps the next generation in their journey towards healing & post-traumatic growth

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-asia-53994189

To those who read to bottom of this thread Please take a moment to remember Cambodia today.The most amazing,beautiful,creative & despite all its troubles joyous place Ive been

Today Im donating 2 #CareForCambodia if u can, please do too #lovecambodia

https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/donate?cid=72511