One of the saddest
sights in Cambodia's burgeoning capital city, Phnom Penn, is the sprawling
100 acre garbage dump at Stung Meanchey. Thick plumes of black smoke
rise from the stinking pile, choking the air with toxic gasses where
more than 250 people (including many children) scavenge through the
900 tons of garbage dumped daily at the site. "This is the closest thing
to hell on earth I've ever seen," said David Pred, an aid worker who
is trying to assist orphans at the dump site. "I don't understand how
people can allow a place like this to exist." Everyone agrees that this
is a horrible situation and something must be done…. A spokesperson
for the Cambodian government was quoted as saying "but locking people
out of the dump means denying them work and wages…not allowing them
to work could mean endangering their lives". The residents of Stung
Meanchey have few options and no political power, they're here because
it's a way to support themselves.