Everyday life in Cambodia – as seen through the eyes of children

In February 2003. I went to Cambodia for the first time. I am a Norwegian journalist, my name is Anne-Lise Aakervik, and my knowledge of the country at that time was of the terrible civil war in the 70’s and the killing of millions of people during the regime of Pol Pot.

Still, after 20 years, the wounds from Pol Pot’s regime haven’t healed. Even today a lot of children don’t go to school. Their parents don’t know how to read and write, as they grew up during Pol Pot times, and they were sent to labour camps. They lived in fear. Since 1980 the country has struggled to build up the education system. I wanted to see for myself how the children manage their everyday life.

Cambodia is the land of children. They are everywhere, playing, working, going to school or begging. Over 50 % of the country’s population is children under 18 years. And nearly half of them have to work to support their families.