Bringing Hope to Landmine Accident Survivors

Students learn new skills
and gain new hope in the 
Clear Path vocational training 
centre in Cambodia.

I recently visited Cambodia, and was very moved by the terrible history, and the
suffering the people have endured.  The effects of war are still obvious from the amputees begging on the streets.  We heard the story of the founder of the Land Mine Museum, who was "educated" by the Khmer Rouge as a child soldier in the jungle after his parents were killed.  When peace came he was amazed at the things he saw on first entering a large town, because he had lived a life of constant fear and violence, without electricity, toilets, roads or family, and assumed that everyone lived that way.  At the War Museum the soldier showing us round was smiling as he calmly told us horrific stories from the war, and how his leg was blown off by a mine. 

Amidst this background it was inspiring to see concrete examples of lives being
changed for the better as a result of the vocational training programme run by
Clear Path International.   We drove for nearly four hours from Phnom Penh down some of the worst roads I have ever seen to get to the centre at Stung Trung in Kampong Cham province.  This area to the north-east of Phnom Penh has one of the highest number of people affected by landmines and unexploded ordinance.  The centre director, himself an amputee showed us around.  There are currently 45 students divided into three classes learning sewing, electronics and small engine repair.  This is their third programme, which started in July 2003 and is due to finish in April 2004. 

Students are aged between 18 and 35 and have all been affected by landmines or unexploded ordinance; some are amputees, some have embedded shrapnel fragments, others are affected because their fathers or mothers are accident victims.  They must have some schooling and literacy, and be well motivated to put what they learn into practice.  They live in the training centre, and receive free board and lodging.  Classes are held from 8-11 and 2-5 weekdays and Saturday mornings.  Motor mechanics students get practical experience in the afternoons in the garage run by their teacher.  This training from a well respected mechanic is very important when they come to set up their own businesses.   They receive help starting up, for example machines and materials for the sewing students, or equipment such as meters and soldering irons for the electronics students.

We visited several graduates who were successfully making a living from their enterprises.  One student had set up an electronics repair business.  He buys old radios for $2 or $3, and can then sell them for $10-12 when they are working.  He was doing well, bringing in about $25/month, enough to pay for medicine for his wife, repair the house and pay off some of their debts.  Previously he earned 50 cents a day – when he was lucky enough to find work. 

This programme is having a real impact, bringing hope to some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the world.

Michael Wisnom, 21st February 2004

This graduate now supports
himself and his family with 
his electronics repair enterprise

To read more about the vocational training programme, click here