S21 - War and Genocide

S-21 is a museum but was once a high school that was turned into a prison and torture facility.

Our tour guide told us the history of what happened with the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's.  Basically, the wars, the genocide and government policies led to the death of millions of people and left almost everyone else in poverty.

The school was turned into a prison and torture facility.

Only a few survived...

Mel bought a book about Chum Mey's experience as one of the few survivors of the prison that executed 16,000 Cambodians.  His wife and child were also executed.

Chum Mey and Melissa.

It is amazing to think that this happened around only 40 years ago, when Cambodia was similar to other countries like Singapore.

We can't change the past, but hopefully we can learn from it and help Cambodia to build a better future.