My photo scholarship entry - A journey to Cambodia

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | flickr photos

When will Cambodia ever move forward? For a country whose history consists largely of countless in-fighting and dark pasts, its government seems to have adopted the easiest way out – develop the economy through tourism. Yet such relentless capitalism has brought about nothing but the vast and increasing inequality of income – in Siem Reap, 51.84% of its citizens live under the poverty line of US$0.49.

The drive to develop its tourism industry has also resulted in cross-border spats. During my visit, there was an ongoing border battle at the Phreah Vihear Temple, which was to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, undeniably another source of the tourism dollar for Cambodia.

Bogged by its history of the Khmer Rouge regime during Pol Pot’s era, Cambodia seems to be stuck in an endless cycle of fighting. When will she ever move forward? Only time will tell.

These photographs were taken during a study trip to Cambodia in 2008. The images represent an impression this country has left on me that I will not forget. The ardous journey to Phreah Vihear, the learning of Cambodia’s harsh past, and being part of the “tourism economy”, were but snippets of what I experienced in this country. Cambodia does indeed need to move on.

I should be chosen for the scholarship because photography, to me, is not just about beautiful images. They are a way of capturing memories personal to oneself, yet should be shared with others, so that a story – an experience – would be heard and learnt by many others who would not have been there in person. To that end, I am not a photographer, but a relater. And stories, I will relate.