Cambodia’s Curse Paperback – September 4, 2012

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist describes how Cambodia emerged from the harrowing years when a quarter of its population perished under the Khmer Rouge.

A generation after genocide, Cambodia seemed on the surface to have overcome its history — the streets of Phnom Penh were paved; skyscrapers dotted the skyline. But under this façe lies a country still haunted by its years of terror.

Although the international community tried to rebuild Cambodia and introduce democracy in the 1990s, in the country remained in the grip of a venal government. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joel Brinkley learned that almost a half of Cambodians who lived through the Khmer Rouge era suffered from P.T.S.D. — and had passed their trauma to the next generation. His extensive close-up reporting in Cambodia’s Curse illuminates the country, its people, and the deep historical roots of its modern-day behavior.

This was a very difficult read to hear of the continued oppression and difficulties in Cambodia, where I am now working with women.  Yet reading this book created an even greater respect & support for the people who are working to bring the love of Jesus to the Khmer. It also created a greater understanding of what they have been through, what they are gong through, and the society issues that are there.

Sometimes we need to realize, whether we are here in our own country or overseas in another, people have been affected by difficult situations, possibly violence and abuse that we cannot imagine. May we be sensitive to encourage and love each person that comes our way.