The White Building

The group that organized the Mekong Island walk planned a trip to The White Building so I jumped on the opportunity to check out more of the city. 

The White Building was the first apartment complex to be built in Phnom Penh in 1963 as a solution to the huge population growth at the time. Over the years, many old buildings in Phnom Penh have been updated or destroyed as part of a recent wave of urban development. However, the White Building has a historic past and the current 2,500 residents are fighting tooth and nail to keep it. If the Governor succeeds in demolishing the building, 600 families will need to find a new place to live.

We were asked not to take pictures inside anyone’s home but were free to take them outside. Everyone was friendly and the kids had a blast screaming and running up and down the hallway, yelling hello at us each time. There is electricity in the apartments but the hallways are very dark and smelly. I caught a glimpse into a couple rooms which were so tiny, it’s hard to believe more than one family often live there.

They recently opened a little shop that sells jewelry made by the local artists which helps with fundraising to keep the building up. Any repairs that need to be done are completed by the residents at their own cost.

At the end of the day, a few people stuck around to walk to Diamond Island for comparison. This area of town looks like it has been picked out of Europe and it honestly felt just plain weird. There are huge new developments and hotels that only very rich people can afford. It is just another way that shows the huge gap between rich and poor here. If you walk down streets anywhere in the city you will likely find a mansion with high walls, metal gates and security which looks completely out of place surrounded by poverty and trash. 

The streets outside the apartment are lined with food vendors.

The roof is usually covered in trash but our tour guide asked his contact to clear it.

A resident taking pictures of us.

One staircase had these great paintings under each flight.

Getting a fresh coconut. My new favourite drink.

Our pit stop for water and fruit.

The few members that lasted until the end!