Map of Cambodia
Cambodia is a nation in SE Asia of about 14 million people. It is bordered by Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and the Indian Ocean. Cambodia has a long and rich history that stretches back to the height of the Khmer Empire during the 12th century and contains the largest religious site and temple complex on Earth at Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat Temple
Cambodia’s ancient temples represent a unique fusion between Hinduism and Buddhism and currently most people practice Therevada Buddism.
Cambodia became a French colony in the 19th century and gained its independence in 1959. Cambodia’s recent history has been one full of tragedy. During the Vietnam War, Cambodia was caught in the middle of the fighting between communist Vietnamese fighters and the United States.
Victims of the Khmer Rouge at Choeung Ek Killing Fields
Secret bombing campaigns by the United States and the influence of Vietnamese communist infiltration contributed to the collapse of two governments and the rise in power of the communist Khmer Rouge in 1973 who attempted to create a Utopian agrarian society. Their brutal methods ultimately led to the genocide of over 2 million Cambodians.
After the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979, Cambodia plunged into civil war which finally ended in 1998. Since that time Cambodians have been working to rebuild their society and culture.
Morning along the Mekong River in Phnom Penh
As a result of this tragic history, Cambodia is one of the poorest nations in South East Asia and one of the most fragile. Education is the key to bringing about significant and lasting change and progress to the people of Cambodia.
Cambodian Children from a village near Siem Reap
