By Kathryn Rose
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The Cambodian Landmine Museum is not exactly the most fun place to spend 40 minutes, but it is certainly eye opening and very informative. The museum is pretty far out in the Angkor temple complex, but if you are going to Banteay Srey or any other temples out that direction it is definitely worth a stop.
Aki Ra originally started the museum out of his house, and it was just filled with landmines he had personally collected in his de-mining missions. Aki Ra was trained by the UN de-mining team to clear Cambodia of the mines that he had at one point laid during his time as a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge. After the UN team left, Aki Ra continued his work, and through the museum and his NGO he raises enough money to continue this important job. The museum has since moved out of his home and to a much bigger space, and now includes a home for many children that have been affected by landmines. They are given a safe place to live and play, as well as learn. JWOC has sponsored at least a few of these students when they continue on to university.
When I visited I had the opportunity to meet with Bill, who has moved to Cambodia from Canada, simply to help Aki Ra with his mission. He was talking with pretty much every guest in the museum and answering any questions they had. He knew all of the history of Cambodia and why there are so many landmines and unexploded bombs throughout much of the country. I learned so much during my visit to the museum and I am so glad that I went. Aki Ra is doing a very important job, and it is making this country safer for everyone. Visiting this museum helps support all of his work, from de-mining to housing young people that have been affected by mines. I highly recommend a stop at this museum if you have the time; you will learn a lot and come away knowing you supported a great cause. Help Aki Ra finish his mission of de-mining all of Cambodia.
