|
I returned from Cambodia on August 15 and followed the
team to Slovakia at the end of September for the World Cup Paralympic
games. Thanks to all the VVAF staff in Cambodia, particularly Larrie
Warren and Chris Minko in helping me to continue to follow the team
to Slovakia I’ve included Chris Minko’s comments about Slovkakia
on page…First, an update on a current situation in Cambodia.
More than 16,00 people became homeless as fires
ravaged through two slum areas of Phnom Penh from November 26-28th,
2001.
Cha Hok's home before it was destroyed by fire.
More than 16,000 people became homeless as fires ravaged through two
slum areas of Phnom Penh from November 26-28. There was one reported
death from these tragic fires. Many suspect the government taking
a role in this since these “squats” are built on valuable
real estate, often located near rivers. At least one player from the
Paralympic team and several others from the practice squad lived in
this area. Government officials have relocated most of the people,
but I suspect the conditions are less than desirable.
Em Sum Kum and his family. Fires destroyed his
neighborhood and home in November 2001.
Cha Hok walking on the street near his home in
the summer of 2001. Fires destroyed this area in November 2001.
I visited team member Cha Hok and practice squad member Em Sum Kum
at their homes this summer. Both of their homes and the area they
lived in is now destroyed. Bear with me as I try to put this in perspective.
Both have so much in common. They’ve lived through more than
three decades of war. They have one less leg because of this. They
have lived their whole life in poverty and now they and their families
are homeless again. Despite Cha Hok’s losses he remains determined
to be an active member of the Cambodian Volleyball Program. Less than
a week after the fires, he participated in the Veterans International
Team in the 2001 Cambodian National Volleyball Championships (Handisports
Day).
I’ll continue to follow both of these players,
the paralympic volleyball team and some of the workers at Joom Noon
when I return to Cambodia in 2002.
(continued...)
page: 1 | 2 | index
|
