The Digital Archive Of Cambodian Holocaust Survivors

In the loving memories of the Cambodian people who died under the Khmer Rouge Regime from 1975 to 1979, we, Khmers and concerned friends of Cambodia, have formed an ad hoc group to establish the Digital Archive of Cambodian Holocaust Survivors. We call upon you to participate in the preservation and protection of the memories of Cambodian holocaust survivors of Angkar.

Until now, no one has endeavored to digitize and distribute Cambodian survivors' stories on multimedia CD-ROM and via the world's information superhighway: the Internet. We invite you to submit your testimonials, stories, images and experiences under the Khmer Rouge, to be digitized for distribution on the Internet. Memories of life under the Khmer Rouge are precisely those which must be preserved for future generations of Cambodians and for the entire world. They must never be forgotten or left on the ash-heap of history.

"What do we want to do?"

We realize that, already, more than three decades have passed since Cambodia's darkest hour, the bondage of our people to the Khmer Rouge. Movies, books, and television documentaries notwithstanding, what will our children keep from these, time immemorial? Only by beginning the process now, before it is too late, can these memories live on. By archiving your stories and your memories, you will leave a legacy to the world. We encourage you to tell your life-story to your children, nieces, and nephews, such that they may understand whence and how far you have come.

On the Internet, Cambodians and non-Cambodians of all ages will have free access to the Digital Archive of Cambodian Holocaust Survivors.

The benefits to passing on your story do not stop there. We envision the possibility that through this database, long separated relatives may re-discover one another. If nothing else, we will all realize that we are neither alone in our grief, nor in our experiences.

"How can you help?"

We want your stories, memories and experiences, to build the Archive. We much appreciate your telling, in your own words, and/or through the help of your children, the story of your life experience under the Khmer Rouge. If you agree, we would also like to include your picture and/or address with your story so that others may contact you.

"What will we do?"

From your stories, we will create a World Wide Web page that can be accessed by people all around the world. With a computer and a modem, anyone will be able to connect to the Internet and have the opportunity to learn about what happened during Democratic Kampuchea from your stories. We recognize the full impact of these last twenty years, and will accept memories, stories, and testimonials too of the period of occupation and subjugation under the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In the future, when the Archive becomes very large, a CD-ROM will be produced for even greater distribution reach. As survivors, Khmers, and friends of Srok Khmer, we are all volunteering our time, equipment, and effort, for free. This project is the result of many people from many different places coming together for one reason: to increase awareness and encourage Cambodian holocaust survivors to record their stories. We appreciate your help in preserving these important memories for future generations.

We understand the importance of one's own life history, and the difficulty in re-telling what are often memories we might rather forget. We realize however that if these memories are forgotten, within only decades, no-one will be left to remember and learn what it meant to be a Cambodian holocaust survivor.

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
-- George Santayana

We Need Your Help And This Time We And The Whole World KnoW

"How can we be reached?"

 

If you wish to take part in the Digital Archive of Cambodian Holocaust Survivors, please contact: Houn-Nam Ing

Thank You.