Cambodia Story

This story was extremely difficult for me to write.  There was so much information, and so many people involved that it was hard to narrow it down.  I chose to focus on the most intersting story, but worry that the others involved will feel left out.  I know that is not a goal of journalism, it is strictly my job to report however it is still difficult when you see them on campus.  I hope all goes well!

___________________________________________

Land Mines, Sex Trafficking and Service Learning

ELON – As a native of Ohio, Victoria Davis feels she has always had a strong connection to the Asian community.  She was considered a minority at her high school, and found herself constantly wanting to learn more about the culture and history that consumed the lives of her peers.

Unfortunately, these courses were not offered by her high school, and the only information she could get her hands on were her father’s slideshows from the Vietnam Conflict.  Davis’ dad was a captain of the U.S. Air Force while she was growing up.

She remembers back to her childhood and said, “while he was stationed in Thailand, he heard the warnings the US military gave the pilots–never land in Cambodia, because you will be shot on sight.”

His stories only fueled her fascination with this mysterious Asian lifestyle.  This fascination quickly turned to a desire to change and educate when Davis arrived at Elon.  Finally classes were offered that filled in the gaps of her education, and finally she had a chance to understand her friends from home.  However, this was not enough.  Davis wanted to do something, to make an impact on a culture so very much in need.

Davis will finally get the chance to make her difference as she travels to Cambodia from May 22 to June 4 of this year.  Accompanied by two faculty members and seven other students, Davis will not only be fulfilling a lifetime dream but creating a lasting impact on the Elon community as she commences a relationship with Southeast Asia for future studies and service learning.

As the driving force behind this trip, Davis is excited to see things actually happen.  Two years ago she presented the idea to faculty member Kathleen Edwards, and created a team consisting of Sarah Babcock and B.J. Williams, who are both juniors at Elon.  Together these students have been planning Elon’s first excursion to Southeast Asia, with hopes of making it a lasting program.

“Elon has excellent programs to all parts of the world, however there is little representation for Southeast Asia on campus, either in study abroad opportunities or service trips,” said Davis.

Cambodia has been caught in a state of terror since the 1970’s and the Vietnam War.  After a military regime, Khmer Rouge took over they planted millions of land mines across the country, most of which have yet to be disabled.  Cambodia currently has the highest number of landmines as well as amputees in the entire world.  However, great efforts are being made to put an end to these horrible statistics.

Assistant Director of Service Learning Kathleen Edwards will be one of the faculty advisors traveling to Cambodia this spring.  Edwards, who has been to Cambodia in the past is most excited to just be back in this beautiful country that has stolen her heart.

“I don’t want people to think of Cambodia only in terms of what it does not have or what it needs, because really it is about what it is giving us and how we partner with these assets that really matters,” Edwards said.

The most compelling aspect of this project is where it can go in the future.  The main goal is not to go to Cambodia and build 10 houses in one week, like many other service learning projects do.  Rather, it is the hopes of all involved to spread awareness and make the Elon community involved and aware.

“This is a different way of looking at service, said Edwards.  A lot of times we look at service as being the act of service within the country, but what we need to look at is the awareness aspects of civic engagement.  We need to focus on building relationships and trust for future trips.”

Student leader, Sarah Babcock has planned the majority of the trip and had the daunting task of dealing with communication issues, as well as last minute changes in plans.

“We are trying to make this trip bigger, Babcock explained.  Bigger in the sense that not a lot of people know where Cambodia is, much less what is going on there.  We are just trying to make people aware.”

However, actually spreading awareness at Elon seems to be the most challenging thing thus far.  History Professor James Brown has experienced this quite frequently at Elon, and feels that will be the greatest challenge presented to the students.

“There are so many people doing so many things, and very active things that it is getting harder and harder to get your message out,” Brown said.

In an effort to spread awareness, Dr. Sophal Ear will be speaking at Elon University on April 1 to discuss his experience as a Cambodian refugee.

Sweat, blood and tears truly have gone into the planning of this trip, yet the hard part hardly over.  For Davis, a lifetime dream will be coming true, and for the Elon community a new dream is breaking through the clouds.