Cambodia struggle goes on (From Stroud News and Journal)

Cambodia struggle goes on

CAMBODIA is a country which was brought to its knees by savage war and civil conflict. Around two million were killed in four years between 1975 and 1979. Today, although the fanatical Khmer Rouge communists no longer hold the Cambodian people in their vice grip of terror, the killing nevertheless continues.

Cambodia remains one of the most heavily landmined countries in the world with an estimated four to six million unexploded mines still dotted around the countryside causing mutilation and death.

For the 12 million people who live there, every day brings new danger with children maimed from picking up the pretty PFM1 "butterfly mines" and adults blown up by unexploded ordnance salvaged for metal.

Moved by the plight of the Cambodian people and eager to do something to help, Diana Wells from Chalford and Mike Conroy from Nailsworth got on their bikes and embarked on one of the most testing challenges of their lives.

Sue Smith spoke to them about their expedition and the work of MAG, the Mines Advisory Group working tirelessly in Cambodia tackling mine clearance.

FOR Diana Wells and Mike Conroy the year 2002 brought with it one of those decisive milestones which prompts people to take stock of their lives every now and then.

Towards the end of last summer, Mike who owns Rooksmoor Mill in Nailsworth happened by chance to see former 80's Cockney Rebel singer Steve Harley on breakfast TV talking about the work of MAG.

Mike had been feeling slightly restless and was inspired by what he heard about the work of the charity.

"I have been here in Nailsworth for 20 years and at the time I was feeling a bit like I wanted to do something different," he said.

He made the instant decision to join the Cambodia Expedition - a sponsored cycle ride - the first across Cambodia - covering a staggering 375 miles in just eight days to raise money for the charity.

For Diana, she became involved after being thrown in at the deep end. She was asked by a friend at the last minute to step in and fill another rider's place. It meant she was left with barely six weeks to train for the gruelling terrain which lay ahead.

With her 50th birthday looming at the beginning of 2003 Diana decided to rise to the challenge.

"I hadn't been on a bike since I was 11 so it was a challenge and a half really," she said.

Before they set off to Cambodia in November Mike was covering a regular 10 miles a day around the Five Valleys and Diana, conscious she had to make up for lost time was pushing herself to notch up 25 miles five days a week.

Even so, the reality of cycling such long distances in hot and humid temperatures of more than 100 degrees in direct sunlight was still a shock.

"After the first morning when I was so hot and my shoulders were aching I did wonder if I would be able to carry on," said Diana.

The pair only live a couple of miles apart but had never met until they joined up with 28 other volunteers on the trip cycling between 50 and 70 miles a day and sleeping in basic accommodation.

The group from the UK had already received pledges of around £80,000 for the charity and the expedition gave them a chance to witness first hand the progress being made in that field and to understand the mamouth task which lies ahead for MAG and the Cambodians.

They were organised and guided on their way by specialist adventure company Across the Divide.

Each day started around 5.30am so they could clock up some miles before the intense heat of the day set in.

They both agree the scenery was stunningly beautiful and the group was lucky enough to take in some of the magnificent sights such as the temple at Ankor Wat but neither were really prepared for the harshness of life in Cambodia or the lack of facilities.

"There is poor medical care, poor sanitation and a lot of severely disfigured people trying to cope with daily life," said Mike. Around 25 per cent of the population of Cambodia were killed in the 1970's under the Kymer Rouge communists. The Killing Fields which are on the tourist map still serve as a grim reminder that more than 17,000 Cambodians lost their lives under the evil dictator Pol Pot.

The group were also shown Sector 21, Pot's notorious torture centre in the captial, Phnom Phen.

Mike said most of the group found the experience difficult to put into words, seeing the walls covered with haunting black and white photos of victims and then a room full of skulls.

They were told that such horrendous cruelty to other humans was carried out in blind fear by the guards who feared that they might become victims themselves.

One of the highlights and most moving events of the trip was a 31km struggle on their bikes up Bokor Mountain which had once been the scene of fierce fighting between the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese people.

Half way down the mountain the group were shown a re-created minefield and some de-miners gave a demonstration of how the mines worked. Most of the mines are intended to maime not kill.Steve Harley gave an impromptu concert on the mountain and it was at this point some of the group broke down and cried.

"It was very moving. We are all aware of the atrocities going on in the world but it doesn't really register until you are actually there, in that country, able to see for yourself the effect on people," said Mike.

And Diana added: "The Cambodian people are lovely, proud people. They welcomed us everywhere we went and were curious to see the group cycling on mass through their country. We must have looked like aliens at times coming over the hills.

But seeing what these people have to cope with and knowing how long they have had to struggle was a very humbling experience.

"Personally I was glad I met the physical challenge which I had set myself but I gained much more than that. Having now been there I really want to raise awareness for MAG as it really does such fantastic work. The suffering in Cambodia is ongoing, people shouldn't forget that."

Today there are nine million unexploded mines and bombs in the country - some the result of American war planes jettisoning bombs on their way through to Vietnam.

Along with Iraq it remains one the most heavily mined countries in the world.

MAG sets up de-mining programmes to train local people to deal with the problem.

The charity tries to employ people who have been directly affected by the mines such as women who have lost husbands or children as a result of an explosion.

Mike said he is now committed to the objectives of MAG and is hoping to stay involved with the charity, hopefully talking to youngsters in schools about the work that is going on in Cambodia.

"There is no doubt this is a tremendously worthwhile charity," said Diana.

"To see a country coming to terms with such a terrible past is not only moving but it gives us all hope for the strength of the human spirit."