• Welcome
  • home
  • special features
    • flashbacks
    • young leaders
    • guest writers
  • about
  • contact
  BANYAN BLOG

banyan blog

A Duty to Our Homeland?

10/20/2015

2 Comments

 
On October 10, 2015, the Phnom Penh Post published a piece called "A Return to the Roots: Diaspora Rebuild." The article begins with an introduction of a new documentary by Canadian-Cambodian graffiti artist Fonki Yav who encourages the Cambodian diaspora to come back to the motherland and contribute to the revival of the nation. The article provokes the question: Do Cambodian overseas owe a duty to their homeland?

​​My answer is YES. 
​​Many in the diaspora long to reconnect with their country and give back by working or volunteering here. However, they may not have the means to for personal or professional reasons. Still, they contribute towards the development of Cambodia in other ways; through academic/professional work related to our country, promoting and teaching Khmer culture and the language to the next generation, or helping Cambodians in their local communities through social, and economic issues. Their efforts are just as important and worthwhile. 
 
Yet, if we ever come across the chance to live here, whether for personal or professional reasons, short term or permanently, we should seize it. It is an extraordinary opportunity for us to make a direct impact on the renewal of our nation. What we get in return is an unparalleled experience to fully immerse ourselves in our homeland—something we will never be able to do anywhere else. Even if it’s just to visit, it is a first step to reconnect the roots that were abruptly torn away from us long ago.
 
If we are fortunate enough to live here, we should not only consider it as a duty to give back to our homeland, but a privilege. It is a privilege to wake up every day in this country to experience everything it has to offer. It is a privilege to witness the country’s rapidly changing social and economic development and play some small part in the story of our country’s transformation.
 
The eagerness to contribute is often driven by the sense of moral obligation many in the diaspora feel. Perhaps it is because of the guilt we carry as survivors or inheriting that guilt as direct descendants of the survivors. Through our own experience or through parents and elders, we are often reminded of our tragic history and the fluke of circumstances that allowed us to survive and prosper in a new land. Luck and hard work gave us access to quality educational and professional opportunities our peers lacked at home.

Future diaspora generations may not feel this moral obligation as strongly as they will be further removed from the illness that struck our nation. Hopefully with the passage of time there will more progress in Cambodia and the needs won't be so great. For this generation, survivors and direct descendants, driven by that moral obligation, there is an immediate and unique role we can play. There is a need for the distinctive skills and talents we have to offer, but with that comes rewarding opportunities, personally and professionally. We should absolutely answer that call to action to come back and contribute to the extent that we can, and to the extent we feel that moral obligation, but we should not be expected to bear that entire burden, nor somehow assume that it is ours alone to bear.
 
It is the duty of ALL Cambodians to positively contribute in any way we can to strengthen our nation’s social and economic development, to rebuild our identity, trust and camaraderie amongst each other. In doing so we can find a meaningful sense of purpose in helping to write a newer and brighter narrative for our country and her people. As we help our nation heal, we too also heal. Whatever contribution we can make towards our homeland, big or small, in country or elsewhere, can make a difference. But no where is that difference more palpable than being able to do it here. Our individual contributions alone may not seem to make a difference, but with our brothers and sisters, overseas or in country, all Khmer people can collectively help turn the page towards a more positive, prosperous chapter for Cambodia.
2 Comments
Santel link
10/22/2015 08:18:38 pm

Hi Bong,

Good reminder.

For those who not yet come, I want them to think positively. You don't have to be the prime minister to help the country. Politic has its own trap. But there are many other ways we can contribute to the country.

I know many Cambodians from oversea ended up by living in the country after their first visit.

If they just look back Cambodian from the distance by reading news, watching TV. This is not enough. I would encourage them to make their first visit. Find their own attachment, then I think they will come back again.

As I said many times Cambodia belongs to all of us, not only to small group of politicians or to a particularly people.

We, each individual, need to get involved to rebuild the country. As you mention clearly: it's our duty!

Reply
Mitty
10/24/2015 09:33:18 am

Dear Santel,

Thank you very much for your comments. Yes, I agree, Cambodia belongs to all of us and we need to work together to see it succeed. Thank you for your contributions.

Mitty

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    FEATURED IN

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    MOST POPULAR

    The Journey
    Inside the White Building
    Young Leaders
    Rediscovering Wise Words
    Hierarchy in Khmer Language
    Relearning Khmer
    Back to Battambang
    The Great Divide
    The Last Promise
    Remembering a Nightmare

    Archives

    March 2017
    October 2016
    July 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    follow

    Tweets by @banyanblog

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

© banyan blog 2013-2021
All Rights Reserved