Kan, Khmer Rouge Soldier

When I was in the western part of Cambodia I walked in the area around Battambong that until recently was still held by the remnants of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge. In this western region of Cambodia, for a number of decades under Khmer Rouge rule, schools did not exist except to teach absolute obedience and radical communist thought. Young teens were recruited as soldiers because they could be easily indoctrinated to follow orders including killing parents suspected of ideological deviance. They were Khmer family terrorists.

Sopha was my guide and translator. The trip was still considered unsafe although it had been months since a Westerner was kidnapped for ransom. So I went by plane. The first evening when I began to walk about, I noticed a young guy following us on the opposite side of the street. For about 25 minutes he followed us everywhere we walked. Then he crossed the street to join a group of youth I had stopped. He was not tall and looked to be about 16 or 17. I turned sideways and shook his hand.

Sopha explained our mission to Kan who was intrigued. He had never heard of AIDS before nor had an American ever come up to him on the street! Kan told us how he had just come in from the remote interior to visit his mother in the hospital. He slept underneath her bed in a crowded ward peopled more with visitors than patients. It was always difficult to find a doctor. He made sure he was fed some food each day because at least at a couple of hospitals I visited, families and friends supplied the meals.

Then he told how his entire family had followed Pol Pot into the jungle. At fifteen, Kan had been forced to join the Khmer Rouge army in a mass induction or else be killed. He served without any enthusiasm and was involved in battles with the new government's forces. Now 22, he had recently deserted because his buddy had warned one night he was marked for the morning's firing squad because he was suspected of cowardice in battle.

He was new to the big city of Battambong and it blew him away.

Sopha was explaining the ABCs of AIDS in Khmer. I could only listen and hope his translation was correct. Kan said his army buddies went to girl prostitutes. As we all talked, Kan volunteered the news that he used condoms now whenever he has sex with the whores (six times). I was a bit surprised but he told us he used condoms because his army buddy had told him he must do it. When asked why, Kan was told by his older friend that it was safer. From what? His friend didn't quite know because the years of fighting had disrupted his schooling and as a guerilla soldier, he never had a health class.

Kan never again questioned his friend why a condom had to be used each time, accepting easily that it was absolutely necessary. He did what his buddy told him was correct as it was safer than not using them. Kan's story is more proof of the efficacy of peer education.

Young soldiers went to the brothel twice a week and more if it was around pay day. For years, the Khmer Rouge had brought in the bulk of its income from illegal activities such as drug smuggling, prostitution in their areas, and providing young teen girls to the brothels of Thailand under the protection of corrupt soldiers and police.

Dr. John explained that postponing sex until you find the right woman to marry, and then be faithful, is the safest option to guard against the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS. Sopha proudly shared that he was still a virgin.

Kan worked with us for a few hours more of evening outreach. Near the end, he got into the swing of things and liked talking with guys his age. Kan shared our late dinner. He loved cold Coke. After listening to us explain why a prophylaxis barrier provides a high level of protection, especially when going to a sex worker, he finally understood why his buddy had insisted he use a condom. Today Kan has no address as he is still living in the forest but soon he says he'll be heading back to rejoin his surviving family when he's told it's safe.

With one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates per capita in the world today, one Cambodian youth is playing safe based solely on the personal advice of a close friend. That's what the PeerCorps is all about - starting conversations about AIDS with friends and peers and in the process save more young lives from making a horrible mistake and getting HIV.

Dr. John distributes pamplets to teens with HOPE volunteers.


A PeerCorps volunteer talks with a teen in a slum.


Nareach, his wife and child.

Dr. John's long time PeerCorps volunteer Sorn Soth is HIV+ and works as an outreach worker.


PeerCorps outreach in Phnom Penh

From AIDS activist and former PeerCorps volunteer (his son is named John).

Delivered-To: teenaids-teenaids:org-chittick@teenaids.org
X-Originating-IP: [203.144.64.10]
X-Originating-Email: [reachnavy@hotmail.com]
From: "nareach sinyatkan"
To: chittick@post.harvard.edu
Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 15:59:00 +0700


Dear John !

How are you ? And what about your family ? They are OK ? And I want to say HELLO you are all.

Do you know I just learning email now on ? You are my first friend that I can email to.
I think you really know about my wedding ,because CHHAVELITH told you already , really ? Now I have one son ,he is 1 month and 21 days ago. Me,my wife, my son(call John) and my family are making wishes to God that will be giving you happiness.
Where are you now ? I miss you so much and I want to need and speak with you someday by phone, because I want to hear your voice and you give me about your phone number ?House or Hand phone, are you OK ? Do you know I working in TB DOTS Clinic of SIHANOUK Hospital CENTER Of HOPE and I am team leader of worker, and I also still work with volunteer in HOPE Cambodia ,I'm also volunteer team leader. I'm very happy with my jobs so much, because I love my people so much.
Please email or call for me back.And if I have a mistake in my this peg you don't mine me OK ?

I wish you and your family have a good luck !
> From SINYATKAN NAREACH your buddy 2001 ! bye !

____

Subject: Hello !
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 15:19:38 +0700

Dear John !
How are you and how are your parents and your family ? Please give my regard to your parents and your family.
Thanks you for your message send me back. Im very happy if you send all your best for me. How is your trip in Africa? And you have a good there ? Also, I hope you will visit us summer, July and special to see my son, right now he is 7 months and 15 days years old. Do know give him name after you. My family is very good and John is very smart and funny and can work and speak a little bit.
To day I go to learn community training EJC must to tell your regard to Chhavelith,SonSoth and all your friends (all volunteers ) and they are will very happy when they hear about you. Do you know now Sorn Soth is very big and he alway ask about you and he give his regard by me to you. Please send for me back.
To day Im not fine , because Im pain in the lumbar (The lumbar dislocation) my lumbar is very pain and today Im work and to meet doctor too. And John is better . If you want to visit us and speak in
Cambodia please tell me first , if you tell first it very easy request to manager for vacation, because I want to help you, if I help you a lot it make me have experience. Do along time that I try to call to but can not in to , can tell when or what time can call to meet you? Please send me back. I whish you and your family has a good luck. your friend , Sinyatkan Nareach !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

___

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 01:31:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: This is my new and my special address email !


Dear John!
How are you? And how are your family? Please give my regard to your family.

And me and my wife and my son (a small John) we are fine.
To day 23, November 2004 to 27,November we are all (NGO staffs) to all the place to talk about HIV/AIDS in water festival to all the people come from province. And wath do you want us to tolk more about AIDS?

And Sorn Soth very sick and now admited at the Russeant Hospital 4 days ago, because Dr. at there cheng ARV now he has problem on the skin.

Lovely from Nareach and my family, Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_____

Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 06:31:47 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re: Hello!


Dr. John, thanks you for your mail.
Sorn Soth very happy that hear you will send postcards of your travels
by post airmail. My son now is 1year and 11months and he is very smart, his full name name is Nareach Chivorn, and his next name is John. And Soth no address, because he living in guest house, so you can send him by my address.
My old address can not use,
Please send me all your best. I miss you so much
Lovely Nareach!

"Hi Dr. John
How awesome to hear from you. We miss you. We appreciate for your hard work to save people around the world. Where are you now? still in Africa? The volunteers miss you. They imitate your great example. please see the attached file so that you see volunteers works in Cambodia. We love you and pray for you. Take care and keep in touch. Any adivice for us. Chavelith" (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:54:30 +0700
Dear John,
 
Nice to hear from you.
I am verry well and I still on going my work for Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility.
We hve main program as follow:
        - Pre-Departure for Cambodian migrant workers who prepare to work abroad
          (Training on STIs/HIV/AIDS and case handeling and research).
        - Sex- workers both direct and indirect Vietnamese and Cambodian
          (Outreach education on STIs/HIV/AIDS, IEC produce
        - Strengthen networking both local and regional
        - Strength advocacy
        - Human right
I am verry interested and can help you as volunteer. Also I want my two doctor to join with us. she just graduated ITM university for seven month and she have experiences on HIV/AIDS for special campaign to educate in community. We are verry happy to help you, but I need to make sure how I can help? could you explain me please.
 
I waiting to hear from you ASP.
Keep enjoy your work
 
Regards
 
Mony
Program Director CARAM Cambodia