Kindness

By Naly Meng

​If I was a millionaire, the first people besides my family and friends that I would help is  the people of Cambodia. Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world and I believe it is due to the corruption and the devastating event they went through known as the Khmer Rouge. Before the Khmer Rouge happened, Cambodia was peaceful and beautiful and it was no doubt a progressing country. However, ever since that awful event happened it has turned into a corrupt and has progressed very little compared to other countries. There are so many problems in Cambodia and I don’t know how long it will take to resolve those problems, but I believe it will all come together one day.

​The most corrupt part of Cambodia is the fact that the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor. The rich are so selfish and don’t do anything to help the poorer people. If I had the money that some of the wealthier people in Cambodia that, I would use a lot of that money to help those in need. I know that I wouldn't be able to help everyone, but some of the first people I would choose to help are the children. I think education is such an important part of every kid’s life, so if I had the money to build a school to teach children, I would open one up. To change the future, you must change the present. If we want change for the future, that means that we have to educate the younger ones now so when they’re older, they can make the changes. 

​Another group of people I would choose to help are widowed mothers, or just girls in general that work long hours for little money. I would somehow provide them with a good living condition and food so that they don’t have to worry about all of that. One of things that makes me sad about Cambodia is hearing about the young girls that work at the factories for a monthly salary of about $90. They work really long hours in horrible conditions yet they get paid so little. Maybe if I had the power to make these types of changes, I would try to come up with new jobs for girls where they made more money, or made sure that they weren’t being overworked in such horrid conditions. Also, I would provide classes for them as well, so they can learn English,.

​In addition to helping kids and girls/women in need, I would provide the people in rural areas with supplies like shampoo, soap, comb, toilet paper, and other essentials. Compared to the living conditions in America, the living conditions of those in rural areas are really awful and unsanitary. Seeing people live in wooden houses without necessary cleaning items and utensils was eye opening. They go through life everyday using what they can, while people in America are so wasteful. Although to outsiders it may seem that they live a sad life, I believe they are happy with what they have. 

​I really wish I could do more to help Cambodia. When I went on my trip on 2013, I did a little act of kindness by going to the poorer areas and handing out money for the adults and candy for the little kids. Although it was not a lot, it made me feel really good to see them happy. I don’t have much to give, but giving to those in need made me feel like I was doing the right thing. If I could have all the money in the world, I know that a lot of that money would go towards those in Cambodia because I think they are deserving of it for what they have endured. It is only a wish of mine to do something so big like this, but even when I am older, I hope I am able to do little acts of kindness every time I go. Not only does it make me feel good but it makes me grateful to know that I have so much compared to other people and I am blessed to live the life I do.