This is the family that I am renting my rooms from in Phnom Penh. Vanny and his wife Seyha were both children during the Pol Pot Regime in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Vanny is very open about his experiences as a child, and his life in some ways tragically mirrors what happened in his country.
Vanny was born in 1969 near the Cambodia/Vietnam border. At that time, the US was bombing this region of Cambodia to target Veit Cong soldiers who may be hiding in Cambodia. Of course, bombs do not discriminate so the local villagers were also bombed. Vanny was actually born under a Buddhist temple as his mother and family hid from the bombs. Somehow, he and his family survived this and later fled to Phnom Penh.
That might have seemed a safe move at the time, but it means that they were in Phnom Penh when it fell on April 17 1975. So a young Vanny and his family were fleeing again, this time back to his home village. The village did not receive them as returning neighbours though. Instead they were seen as city dwelling refugees, outcast and looked down upon.
Vanny does not dwell on these difficulties, but instead presents them as stories of survival and a history to remember. For example, his mother sewed extra pockets hidden into his clothes so he could hide away bits of food. If they had been caught it would have been very bad, but somehow Vanny and most of his family survived. I know that 7 of the 9 children are still alive today (Vanny is one of the youngest), but I am not certain if either of his deceased sisters perished during the regime or at some other time.
He tells of how rice is sacred to his generation and older ones, and even one grain was picked up if dropped on the ground. I feel a small bit of shame each time I am too full to finish the rice they serve me.
Seyha does not speak English so I do not know much of her story. Only that she is from northern Cambodia and lived much of her childhood in refugee camps on the Thai border. I have read an account of these camps from a Canadian nurse who worked in them for 6 months in 1980 and I know this was a very hard childhood. Her education opportunities were limited, but I assure you, she is an astute business woman. I am watching as her coffee and food cart business is growing. She is good!
They are working to provide greater opportunities for their two daughters. The older just finished a level of schooling #1 in English and Cambodian. They are very proud. The younger daughter is also doing well. She is less shy than her sister, and she showed me my first fidget spinner which she bought at the little shop at school.
I am very happy that I chose to pay my rent to this lovely Cambodian family instead of a hotel – not just because I am saving money.
A Travelling Accountant 