Cambodia is known for its rich cultural heritage and unique individuals who have made significant contributions to the country and the world. One of the most prominent people in the history of Cambodia is Aki Ra. He is a former Khmer Rouge conscripted child soldier who works as a deminer and museum curator in Siem Reap, Aki Ra has devoted his life to removing landmines in Cambodia and caring for young landmine victims. He has personally removed and destroyed around 50,000 landmines since 1992 and founded the Cambodian Landmine Museum.
Aki Ra is a remarkable individual who has dedicated his life to removing landmines in Cambodia and caring for young landmine victims. After the war, he began working as a deminer and museum curator. Here's more about his story:
Early Life and Experiences
Aki Ra was born around 1970-1973 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and lost his parents in a Khmer Rouge raid. He was forced to join the Khmer Rouge as a child soldier and later fought in the Vietnamese army. After the conflict, Aki Ra worked with the UN's mine-clearing service before deciding to continue demining work on his own.
Current Activities
- Demining Work: Aki Ra has personally removed and destroyed around 50,000 landmines since 1992 using basic tools like knives, hoes, and sticks. He continues to work in demining efforts through his organization, Cambodian Self Help Demining (CSHD).
- Cambodian Landmine Museum: He founded the museum to raise awareness about the issue of landmines and support landmine victims. The museum also serves as a shelter for children who have been affected by landmines.
- Care for Landmine Victims: Aki Ra has taken in over two dozen boys and girls, including street kids from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and provides them with care and support.
Challenges and Legacy
Despite his heroic work, Aki Ra has faced health problems due to exposure to explosive chemicals and psychological trauma from his experiences as a soldier. He has also struggled with depression, mood swings, nightmares, and anxiety. In 2018, he was arrested for displaying defused munitions at the Cambodian Landmine Museum without proper permits, but the museum reopened after a three-month closure.
- Funding: Aki Ra's organization, CSHD, faces uncertain funding, competing with larger demining NGOs like Mines Advisory Group and Halo Trust.
- Government Recognition: Aki Ra has faced challenges from the government, including brief imprisonments in 2001 and 2006, for conducting "uncertified" demining activities.
Despite these challenges, Aki Ra remains committed to his work, and his efforts have earned him international recognition, including:
- CNN Hero: Aki Ra was selected as a CNN Hero in 2010 and featured as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of the year.
- Manhae Foundation Grand Prize for Peace: He received this prestigious award in 2012 for his contributions to peace and conflict resolution.
- Paul P. Harris Fellowship: Aki Ra was honored with this fellowship in 2013 for his dedication to peace and conflict resolution.
Aki Ra's story has been documented in the film “A Perfect Soldier,” showcasing his life and work. The movie is a documentary that tells the story of Aki Ra, a former child soldier of the Khmer Rouge who works to combat the violence he was once trained for. The film, directed by John Severson and written by Clara Lehmann, explores Aki Ra's journey from being a child soldier to becoming a national hero. Aki Ra has dedicated his life to removing landmines in Cambodia, having personally removed and destroyed around 50,000 landmines since 1992. The documentary showcases his efforts and commitment to helping others, particularly young landmine victims.
The movie has received a positive response, with an IMDb rating of 8.2/10. It's a powerful and inspiring story that highlights Aki Ra's transformation from a victim of war to a force for good in his community. “A Perfect Soldier” is a 56-minute documentary that provides a glimpse into Aki Ra's life and work, shedding light on the ongoing issue of landmines in Cambodia and the importance of demining efforts. If you're interested in learning more about Aki Ra's story and the impact of landmines, this documentary is definitely worth watching.
His dedication to removing landmines and supporting victims has made him a symbol of hope and resilience in Cambodia.
