I was invited by my friends to join a group of tourists to visit Stueng Mean Chey, Phnom Penh city’s dump site. It was one of list item on the place to visit, so I joined them. The purpose of this visit is to deliver food, and basic medical care to people who live on the dump site. This is a routine trip for the organizer to the place. I’ve been told that the dump site has been closed, some how these people still live there.
I already have in mind the image of the place. But the vision I had in mind differ to what I really see. The condition they live in makes me ask this question, how could some one possibly live without constant threats of sickness? Even a very small cut could end up in infection.
When we first arrive there, it seem like the kids expect the truck. They emerge from the mountain of trash from every direction to queue behind the truck. It is a routine for them as this the group organize the trip frequently. Also, this is not the only group to deliver food to them. The queue is not long, but I cannot see that we’re not running out of kids, as they keep coming. The only things that are running out are bread loafs and fruit.
On front of the truck they were setting up a small table, under the umbrella. This is to provide basic medical care. This side, although not as long as the food sharing queue, the kids are suffering from sickness from small wound infection, fever to other serious illness. I was running around with my camera. There was a voice called me: Hey man are you available? I replied: Yes, and I am Khmer. He asked me to help. Although I am no medical professional, but cleaning wound with ready mixed solution is ok for me. So I end up helping cleaning wound and seal them with band-aid, for several kids. One thing I notice though, these wound are very small, but with poor sanitation they are all infected and swollen. If this would happen to me, it would have cured it self in a few days. But for them, even a very small cut could end up in serious infection.
Sharing food.
Queue!
Free Medical Care!
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Tags: Also, Although, band, bread, Cambodia, Care, Chey, direction, DUMP, Food, free, friends, fruit, image, infection, item, khmer, kids, Mean, Medical, mountain, organizer, PENH, PHNOM, purpose, Queue, sanitation, self, solution, Stueng, threats, tourists, traffic, truck, umbrella, vision
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I have been there for several times, but not after the closure. That is kind of you to do somethings for the kids there.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
So go there often. I heard that these people would move to the new dump site with the shared plan that they pay half for the land and the government loan them half. But a foreigner in the group told me that these people dont know any thing about the moving plan.
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 pm
[...] read this post today, from one of my favorite Cambodian bloggers, that pretty much ties into my previous Blog [...]
September 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Wow this is a great photo. I love the eyes of the girl. Very sharp and story telling. I also like the light and colors. Very nice in focus too. Well seen.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I’m impressed by the photos, u had many great shots… Sothy commented like a pro i can’t made any lol all i can say those are greats… we should meet! loll
September 19th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
The best thing in the world is free. We should really look more at people living in the dump.
September 30th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Those children should have enough food and have an opportunity to attend school like other children.
So sorry, when i see Cambodian children living in such situation.
March 11th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Borin very interesting blog. I came across your site while googling on ‘Cambodia’
So intriguing when I saw this particular blog. Brings back memories. I was in Steung Meanchey in January 2010 to conduct research. I’m very sad to see the urban poor living in a sanitation environment. However, I am amazed to see waste pickers live each and everyday to make something of their life. In general, many tend to take life for granted and forget to distinguish what he or she ‘wants’ or ‘needs’. You mentioned the new dumpsite. Do you know why it’s restricted for the public to view the new dumpsite? Can you elaborate more on the shared plan? Can email me personally. Thanks!
July 22nd, 2010 at 4:06 am
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