Photo courtesy of Krantzworld.com

 

Why Cambodia?

This lush and beautiful country, twenty percent of which is under water during the Monsoon season, is inhabited by a warm, hospitable, and peace loving People.

Victimized by one of the greatest atrocities of the twentieth century, they are also among the world's most impoverished.

2007 marks the First Annual Climb For A Cause Dental Project to Cambodia.

To help raise the level of dental education and awareness to this land and its People, Climb For A Cause has teamed up with The Cambodian Dental Association.

Commencing with 2007, proceeds from Annual Climb For A Cause Events will be earmarked for this Project.

For a detailed analysis of the present state of dental care and education in Cambodia click here

There are a number of ways you can help make a positive difference among this wonderful and deserving People!

Sponsor CFAC Cambodia!
Volunteer for CFAC Cambodia!
Learn more about CFAC Cambodia!
About the Cambodia Event Planning Team

For more information about how to get involved, please contact the Executive Director of Climb For A Cause, Danny Bobrow (312-455-9498) Thank you.

History

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863. Cambodia became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the remaining leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed

Photo courtesy of Jim Krantz