This is not an unusual story. Versions of it happen in every city, every area facing gentrification (as we call it in the West) or development (as it’s known in the 3rd world).

Siem Reap is a major tourist destination. It has been for many years now, but more and more money is being poured into this city and the nearby World Heritage Site of the the Angkor ruins. More 5 star hotels have been built here over the last decade than any place else in the world, I imagine. And in a country as poor as Cambodia, this sort of tourist trade can be a lifeline. What is now a narrow, murky river will be a cleaned-up waterway wide enough for boats to sail up towards the great Tonle Sap Lake. The lovely pedestrian promenade that runs along one portion of the river now, will be extended from one end of the river to the other. And perhaps even more importantly, the riverbanks will be raised to help alleviate the terrible flooding that washes out local homes and businesses every year. These are all great ideas, aren’t they?And in a place like Cambodia, they can happen almost over night.

But as in any urban development of this magnitude, there are enormous prices to pay. At either end of the river, entire communities have been established over generations. Squatters, yes, but squats that have been passed down within families for years. For these families, the river is their livelihood. The river abuts the houses which abuts the family businesses. Of course, all these homes and businesses must now be moved. The government has been talking about this for about a year. They are even giving each family up to $1000 or so to help them relocate to the area which the government has set aside for them. This is the good news.  But the bad news is that most of these families have had only one week’s notice before the government comes in and bulldozes their homes and businesses. And the area of relocation is 15 km away, without water or electricity. So nearly overnight, these families are dismantling their homes, be they wood or brick, piling everything they own onto the back of shared trucks, and leaving. But it’s hard to run a business without electricity and running water. It’s impossible for a child to walk 15 km to school. This situation is affecting 4 or 5 Anjali House families, families whose children are fed, clothed and educated, families who are helped to find jobs and learn to save their money. So, of course, Anjali House is trying to find a way to help these families move more locally, so their kids can continue to go to school and their families continue to take advantage of what Anjali House can offer them. So Anjali is running an emergency fundraising campaign so that these families can take out loans to buy or rent new land for new houses, at a rate which they can feasibly repay. The good news is that in Cambodia, a little goes a long way. The entire campaign is only seeking to raise £1000. $10 or £10 from any of us would be a significant addition to the pot. You know, I have come to expect all sorts of horrific stories here. But this is different. This is happening right under my eyes:

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