Hong’s story

Hong is Kuy, one of Cambodia’s Indigenous Peoples who live in the Prey Lang forest, in northern Cambodia.

The forest underpins the livelihoods of some 200,000 people who live in the villages surrounding Prey Lang. Hong leads her community in a battle to protect their land and natural resources.

The forest has increasingly come under threat from companies exploiting its natural resources. As of 2010, at least 27 economic land concessions and mining licences have been granted over parts of the greater Prey Lang area. These companies have rarely engaged with the community, and Hong is not aware of how company plans might affect her village.

After a Cambodian NGO visited the village to motivate and train local people, Hong emerged as an active community leader. Today she spends her time organizing petitions and protests, and joining community forest patrols. These opportunities have changed Hong’s life and helped to challenge community perceptions about women’s roles: "Now I am so proud of myself. I have made something happen and am a woman leader," she says.

Despite Hong’s efforts, the threats to Prey Lang remain, and new companies have been given concessions for large areas of land that people rely on. "Prey Lang is the shelter of Indigenous People, like a house we live in, a house that is full of freedom. If Prey Lang is gone it’s impossible for us to live," says Hong.
 

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