Vath Ven, 73 year old, male – Khmer Rouge survivor now part of an older people’s association set up by HelpAge

73 year old Vath Ven is a member of an 

older people’s association set up by HelpAge.

© Mayur Paul/HelpAge International 2012

I grew up in another district but the Khmer Rouge told me to come here to Korohal District. They brought me here and told me to take care of the cows. If I did not obey they would have killed me. I had to follow orders and no one could help us.

When the Vietnamese came to chase away the Khmer Rouge there was fighting here in my village. I managed to survive for my children but my wife died during the time of the Khmer Rouge.

But since then we barely managed to scrape through. My family did not have any farm land or any animals. We had nothing. After the conflict ended, I started selling ice cream. I used to bring the ice cream from town and sell in the village. I also sold cake and palm fruit juice. I raised my 3 children this way.

Now my daughter-in-law helps me out. My son works in construction but when there is no work here in our village he goes to the next village. So he is away a lot. I cannot walk easily but have a wheelchair. I spend most of the day looking after my grandchild who is very young so that his parents can go to work.

I am a member of my local older people’s association, set up by HelpAge. The association supports me with rice and health treatment. I like going to the association meetings as I also have a few friends there. The associations are important as older people like me get medicines and care there. I there was no older people’s association, I would not be able to meet other older people and there would be nobody to help older people.

HelpAge also helps me by providing USD 20 every 3 months. I use this money to buy rice for the whole family. I also help with my grandchildren’s school fees. I want my grandchildren to be educated so that they can support themselves with their knowledge.