Name: Soam Nim, Female, Age 28 (1975)

Joined the [Khmer Rouge] Revolution: 15 May 1974

Position: Group Leader

Home Village: Prek Thmei Sub-district, District 18, Region 25, Kandal Province

OAM  Nim, 55 years old (2002)

In 1974, they [the Khmer Rouge] began recruiting for the military; I volunteered to join them, because I thought that doing this was better than being a normal citizen, who was subjected to intense labors like constructing dikes and dams. Also I would have better food. My father did not want me to do so, but I was determined, for I did not want to be looked down on. My father had been a very strong man, but on the day I departed he cried. The Khmer Rouge destroyed my family. During the regime, we were starved and separated. We rarely met. I did not believe what they taught me, but I could do nothing because all were under their control; to save our lives we had to do what we were told to.