Wish for Peace

While conflicts continue to rage around the world, Cambodia has also seen a dramatic change in its previously peaceful situation since conflicts with neighboring Thailand worsened in July.  While there is still a large gap between the rich and the poor nowadays and many people still find it difficult to survive, things had been going peacefully until then in Cambodia.  There seem to be no big disruptions to the supply of goods outside of the border areas, but people in general feel uneasy. 

The circumstances in each country are complex, so it's difficult to make any easy statements.  At least, what I can see from the children we interact with is that they love their country, respect the soldiers on the front lines, and wish for peace.

During this period, there was a sharp increase in the number of children, both boys and girls, who wanted to become police officers or soldiers who protect their country and its people.  From the very beginning, I could sense their strong patriotism.  Children mostly draw their national flag when they draw pictures.  When they have nothing to draw, they just draw the flag first, then write "I love Cambodia."  Their dream to become a soldier is not to resolve things through military force, but simply out of a desire to protect the beloved land and proud heritage that has been cherished for generations, and to protect their compatriots, brothers and sisters.

After all, conflict produces nothing.  There is a limit to what one person can do, but I hope that we can work together to create peace…