No Collections Here
Sort your projects into collections. Click on "Manage Collections" to get started
F r e e d o m
My journey back to Cambodia Where everything began
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
My name is Zoe SouEat Keiblinger. I was born around the year 2006 (birthday was estimated) in Cambodia. My start in life was a bit bumpy. Shortly after I was born, I was abandoned next to a rice field. A middle-aged woman found me and took me to the nearest orphanage near Phnom Penh (capital of Cambodia). I was allowed to spend my next year and a half there. In 2007, two wonderful people gave me a home in Austria. It turned out that I was one of the last children who were allowed to be adopted from Cambodia.
Angkor Wat 2024
My parents tried to ensure that my Cambodian roots were not forgotten. There are hardly any communities in Austria, but my parents still found a great opportunity for me to communicate with other children at a young age. I grew up in a small village with not even over 400 people, which means I am the only girl with darker skin. In addition, my family constellation is not the most common. My sister is a foster child with mental disabilities and I am a Cambodian adopted child. That means our family is a little bit special. In 2014 my parents tried their best so that I could visit my second home for the first time but I could never really stand by my roots. I grew up in an Austrian-Christian household. That means no connection to my Cambodian roots.
MY JOURNEY TO THE PROJECT
Now you must be thinking, how did she get back in touch with Cambodia?
In 2024 my family and I flew to Cambodia for ten days. At the beginning, I wasn't
so sure what to think of it. Then I got to know Siem Reap and its locals. I have
been travelled a lot around the world, within Europe and even to America. Rarely
have I ever met such a warm-hearted community. I recieved a kind of appreciation
that I have never experienced before. It is not a matter of course, since not so
long ago, the country was in its darkest yet. That being said, Cambodia is also rich
in history because of his beautiful landscapes, temples, and its culture. For the first
time in my life, I was ashamed to have hidden my roots all these years. I was able
to share the most beautiful emotions, such as anger, sadness and joy with this
country. Spending time with its local people or to getting tattooed in the
traditional way...
I have learned to be at peace with my origins and my past.
Don't get me wrong, I love Austria, it is my home, where my family is. I call myself
an Austrian because the country gave me so many opportunities and I am
infinitely grateful for that. Despite all this, I love my roots, my second home, where
it all began.
When I visited my orphanage, I became aware ofhow "small" my problems are. For example: Yes,maybe I'm one of the smaller women in Austria, butI've had the privilege of growing this big how I amtoday. I thought to myself how unfair the world isand how lucky I was. Because if you imagine thatout of two young girls both at the same age, whowere born at the same time, at the same place withsimilar dreams, only one of them got a chance. Afeeling of injustice has really sucked into me. Manychildren in the orphanage can never grow due tosocial and economic influences, as well as physicalimpairments.
My Cambodian &
my Austrian sister holding hands 2024
I will never forget when a crowd of children greeted me and their director
introduced me as their sister. As if I had only been on vacation for a short
time. I knew I didn't have the opportunity to save all of them but I can't
leave my siblings behind. The feeling of letting a part of me down, I can't
do that. I want to use my privilege, a voice for those who can't. I was able
to have many great conversations and it was important to me to know
what the local needs are. How can I help them the best? There was one
thing everyone wanted, whether it was a tuk tuk driver, a mahout or a
monk. They all wished that the world would pay more attention to the
country they call home. That more people are informed that this country
exists at all. That means more tourism. I know I can never give back to the
people of Cambodia what they have given to me. Peace with my identity.
My wish was simply to make myself useful. So, I made it my mission to
pursue their wishes...
I quickly knew what was on my mind. Since
creativity and art have always been one of my
strengths, I decided on a project that reflects the
country and its history well. The project is also a
little therapy for me. I have learned more about my
origins, from its history to its culture and traditions.
On top of that, I spent a lot of time with great
people. Simply for the privilege of being able to
have made this experience, I am infinitely grateful. I
would like to thank all the people who made this
project even possible in the first place. Without you,
this project would not exist to this extent.
I thank you God that I have the privilege
to make these experiences.
- ZOE SOU EAT KEIBLINGER
My Mom and I
First time meeting each other
2007
