Refugee Narratives: Ten Stories of Cambodian Refugees

Entry 9 (Diplomatic Transcription)

[K. V.]’s history during
Pol Pot’s regimes

On the 15th, September 1978 I was forced to get out of the Kampong Cham province by Pol Pot’s guerillas who won their attack there. But they could dominate the province one day only. After they damaged the factories, the schools… they had to draw back for fear of ma navy army that came to interfere. They always pushed me from behind with at gunpoint to go ahead and never turn back. Since then I have was separated from my family who fortunately lived in Phnom Penh. I had to live alone in the communist zone. So my education especially my English study must be was finished. That has been shocking me very much. 

After the event of April 1975, my family and I had great chance to rejoin be reunited in our native village. However, we were still sad because communist came harder on us little by little. At the beginning of 1976, my family and I were brought to live in Battenbung where I would meet my friends: [A. C.], [K. S.], [K. K.], [K. V. R.]. We all lived in the celibate group together where we were hard on by the leader. 

The communist regime is a very sadistic. We always hid our former qualities and viables in utmost attempt to be against the starvation to work in the farm.

It our great luck to keep living until now to see you sister.

Before finishing we pray the god to bless you all.

31 January 1980
Mr. [K.V.]

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