Journey To Success

Tim Chhim, 57, was born in Cambodia. He left home for schooling when he was 9. When Cambodia turned Republic in 1970, Tim sided with the U.S. backed government. Cambodia got caught in the last stage of the Vietnam War. As his country split, Tim volunteered as a student to help fight the Vietcong, N. Vietnamese and the Khmer Rouges. Tim lost his home to American bombing in 1972. His family was displaced and his father died shortly after. Tim then left for the Cambodian Capital in 1973 to study and work as a Republican police. In 1975, after thousands had died, the Maoists finally won and forced out millions of people from all cities. Tim was among those who were forced and herded out of the Capital. At that time, Tim lost all hope for the freedom he had dreamed of. Along the way out, the cadres screened for educated people and high-ranking Republic officials. After reaching central Cambodia, Tim was sent to the jungle to be killed. Learning that he would be executed Tim jumped out of death row and ran into t