Website of "The First Prayer of the 21st Century"

Cambodia Diary
March 8, 2002

O’Kroch village is situated in Tra paing Prasat commune, Tra Paing Prasat district, Oddar Meanchey province about 19 km to the south of Tra paing prasat town. The road to O’kroch village is available used in dry season but in the wet cannot access to there because the road is poor condition, has flood, muddy and both sides of road are threaten by mines and unexploded ordnance. If the travelling by car, it takes nearly 2 hours to reach this village.
O’kroch is the isolated village, which was under attacked and mines lying of government troops during 2 decades of fighting. The thick jungle is covered this village that made this village became a battlefield between Khmer Rouge and government troops. Mines, unexploded ordnance and debris of war are closed to the houses of villagers. It is the second of working cycle, which The Halo deminer sections were being deployed in O’kroch minefield and stay there for a cycle of working and 7 days are stand down.
O’Kroch minefield was funded by AAR/TBS and deployed 2 sections, one Land Rover, one GMC truck for emergency evacuation and operations support. It is a real dry season, hot and the ground is too hard but they worked very hard. The priority of clearance is settlement, direct casualty and bore hole.
A 30 year-old deminer named CHUN SAM OEUN in section No 18 is working in O’kroch minefield was happy that found many mines and unexploded ordnance since he has worked for Halo. In this week he found one mine PMN2. He felt not fear because he follows the demining procedure of operation. Chhun Samoeun was born in Mea Lea district, Siem Reap province. He married and has 2 children. He has worked for Halo for years ago, since that his family is all right. Before his family was poor but now is better than before.
As Cambodian people he would like to express fully thanks, highly appreciation and strongly appeal for Japanese government, Association Aid for Refugees/ Television Broad casting Service keeps funding to The Halo Trust CAMBODIA.

Best regards