So far, most of this blog has been about life as an expat in Cambodia, which I admit, I really enjoy. But there is also the reality of Cambodia being a developing country. And it is often difficult to reconcile the glamour and glitz of the new Cambodia with the other Cambodia. It appears on the surface that Phnom Penh is more affluent than it was when I was last here 5 years ago, and that there is more of a middle class than before, so that made me curious to look up some actual facts.
Here is the other side of a developing Cambodia Child Labour Child labour is an everyday reality for around 45% of children age 5 to 14 in Cambodia. It is estimated that more than 300,000 children are required to work to support the needs of their families in jobs such as the following:
Orphanages The number of orphanages in Cambodia has increased by more than 75% since 2005. Over 80% of the children in these orphanages are not orphans but are children from poor families. The families often believe – or are convinced – that sending their child to live in a residential care home will provide them a better start in life as they will receive an education, nutrition and healthcare. The government continues to run 23 orphanages, while the number of NGO-run residential homes for young children grew from 154 in 2005 to around 225 in 2013. The lucrative business that orphanages represent due to their capacity to attract foreign visitors, volunteers and overseas funding. Water Out of its population of 16 million people, 12 million people (72% of the population) lack access to a reliable, safely managed source of water, and 3.8 million people (23%) lack access to improved sanitation solutions. Pollution Population growth and rapid economic growth are causing environmental pollution. Economic development activities have created significant environmental consequences, including air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and solid waste. Our Teacher Assistants at the school would be part of the new middle class. While a teacher at our school earns the same or more than a teacher in Canada, the average wage of a Teacher Assistant at the school would be about $350 US a month. Construction workers are migrant workers that come in from the villages. When I was last at the school, there were migrant workers who built the large office building across from the school. They built tin shacks along the fence in the work site. They were not supposed to bring their families, but many did, so we would look out the windows of our multi million dollar school to see barefoot children playing in the dirt across the street. There was no reliable water source for the workers, so often when we came to school, you would see workers using the taps used to water the garden outside the school to wash themselves. I can’t even imagine what the sanitation facilities were like. It was difficult to see our pampered CIS children playing in a beautiful grassy field with all kinds of playground equipment, while the children across the street played in the dirt. I came up with an idea I hoped would work. Every teacher is required to do 2 extracurricular events after school hours. I thought it would be great to buddy our students up with a child from across the road to do art activities with, have our students teach them games, and play with them on the playground. That idea went nowhere for a few reasons.
Currently there are a few migrant families living in the house across the alley from our apartment building, with an indeterminate number of children and a skinny puppy as well. They often play on the construction site with bare feet and bare bottoms. They were out the other day kicking a water bottle about. So, a friend and I went to the Mall, and bought a huge bag of toys to give to the kids. We are waiting for a time when they are all out to give them to the children. I also bought some dog food for the skinny puppy that lives with them. One of the ladies in our apartment has taken over feeding the numerous cats living around our building, half of which are pregnant at any one time. As mentioned, it is hard to reconcile the mega malls and the beautiful architecture of many of the glamorous high rise buildings to the other realities of Cambodia, and they exist glaringly side by side. Because the temperatures are hovering around 45 degrees, it is difficult to get outside to exercise, so today, I will be going to Chip Mong 271, a mega mall for a walk. I continue to be grateful that with the luck of fate, or whatever you believe, I am on the right side of the economic divide.
2 Comments
Sherrill
5/14/2023 12:07:28 am
Wow, thanks for the reality check. I guess it’s all part of development but so hard to see. Let’s hope things continue to get better. I know when we were there they appreciated tourists as it is a huge boost to their economy. Can’t wait to hear about the reaction of the children when you deliver the toys.
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Marian
5/15/2023 03:05:07 pm
Sad to hear the plight of so many children in Cambodia. Are there laws against child labour? Are these simply ignored? What is the situatioin there with birth control? Also, in England, education funding focused on the first 5 years with daycares and food for pre schoolers. This seemed to help a lot with giving kids a good start and also developing some trust and information between young kids and their families and care providers. Thanks for the information. Marian
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BerniceAfter being retired for 4 years, an opportunity came up to go back to the Canadian International School Phnom Penh, where I had worked for 2 years before retiring. Of course, I jumped at the chance. Here is where I will be posting the everyday and often mundane events of going back to work and going back to Cambodia! Archives
April 2023
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