UNG SOCHIVY, Deputy Guide Team Leader

How did you first get involved with Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum?

During 1987, I was working at the Conservation Department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Ministry, which was a bit far from my house. At the end of 1987, I decided to work at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum because it was nearer to my house. During that time, it was very easy to transfer to work at the museum because most people refused to work here and the museum had only around 20 staff members.

What is the most challenging part about working as a Tour Guide?

I get depressed talking about the living conditions of people during the Khmer Rouge regime. I am avictim from this regime as well. I lost my father and three siblings during the Khmer Rouge regime. Being a tour guide, telling the story to visitors every day, I am always reminded about the hard life at that time.

What do you like about what you do?

When I tell the visitors about my experience during the Khmer Rouge regime, most of them are very sad for me and some of them even cry. In this way, I can recognize that most of the visitors understand well about that terrible time for me and the other Cambodian people. I am so grateful to all the visitors who really show an interest in the terrible history of Cambodia. At least I can help society by spreading the history of the Khmer Rouge to the other countries and especially to the next generation of Cambodia, so they won’t forget it and continue spreading the story to other people.

Tell us about one of your favorite museum experiences.

Though telling the story of the Khmer Rouge regime is hard emotional work, I am encouraged as well when the listeners are interested and moved. Most of them try to encourage me and feel such regret for what happened to me and the other Cambodian people during that time.