Tragedy in Cambodia hits home

A 23-year-old Canadian was among those killed in last months fighting in Cambodia

By David F. Dawes

PORT MOODY, BC--Cambodia's tragedy was brought home when a 23-year-old Cambodian adopted and raised by a Port Moody couple was killed July 8. Michael Senior ran afoul of rampaging soldiers in Phnom Penh.

A memorial service was held July 12 at Peter and Judy Seniors' place of worship, Hillside Community Church in Coquitlam, when family members spoke about Michael and several representatives of the Cambodian community shared their thoughts about the crisis in Cambodia.

"Michael had just gone out of his apartment," explains his father. "He had a still camera. He saw some soldiers looting stores, and started taking pictures. One of [the soldiers] shot him in the leg.

"His wife heard the shot, and came out. He was speaking in Cambodian, telling the soldiers he was sorry for taking the pictures. He and his wife started begging for mercy. The soldiers shot him in front of his wife, and she had to run for her life."

"We had her flown out of there the next day," says Judy Senior. Srey-Pov Senior and her daughter Nina, nine months, arrived in Canada soon afterward and met Michael's parents for the first time. The family attended a Cambodian memorial service July 26 at Fraserview Alliance Church in Vancouver. "It would be dangerous for Srey-Pov to go back," Judy says. "We're hoping she'll be able to stay in Canada."

NEXT | Vol. 11 No. 10 Index