Journey from 'Killing Fields' horror to forgiveness
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SOKREAKSA Himm has infinitely more reasons than most to be resentful and revengeful, having witnessed the brutal slaughter of his parents and siblings in Cambodia’s notorious ‘Killing Fields’ more than three decades ago.
Reaksa, as he is better known, was just a boy when he was battered by Khmer Rouge soldiers and left for dead in a mass grave dug for him and 13 members of his family.
Amazingly, he survived the most unimaginable of ordeals, and 34 years later was able to relay it in detail this week at an array of different functions in Moray.
His emotional story is remarkable, particularly as where many might have sought revenge, Reaksa said he has instead found relative peace and forgiven his family’s killers.
Reaksa was 11 when the Khmer Rouge first came to the city home of his Buddhist family to speak to his parents.
Soldiers told them to pack three days of food supplies, and after that they could come back to the house to live, but they were never permitted to return.
For two years, Reaksa’s family – which included his mother, father and 11 brothers and sisters – conformed to the new Khmer Rouge policies and survived.
However, this all changed tragically in November, 1977.
On that morning, Reaksa said a young teenager came to the house and asked his father for a meeting.
His father agreed but was taken away and arrested, with his arms bound behind his back.
Thirteen-year-old Reaksa secretly followed, and was horrified when he overheard the soldiers telling his father that they were to kill him and destroy his family.
Reaksa's entire family of 13 were executed before his eyes, but amazingly, he made his escape.
A remarkable journey followed, which ended with him seeking refuge in Canada.
And having developed a strong faith in God, he was able to return to Cambodia years later to meet and forgive his family's killers.
Still living in Cambodia, he is eager to tell his story and spoke in Elgin Library on Tuesday this week, having addressed pupils at Elgin Academy earlier in the day.
He also spoke at a number of churches in Moray last weekend.
This is an abridged account of of Reaksa's amazing story. For the full version, see this week's 'Northern Scot'
