Hundreds scavenge through garbage at the Stung Meanchey dump outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photographer Bill Smith and his wife, Lauren, said they were shocked by what they saw on a 2002 trip.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Hundreds scavenge through garbage at the Stung Meanchey dump outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photographer Bill Smith and his wife, Lauren, said they were shocked by what they saw on a 2002 trip.
Courtesy Bill Smith
Most people pick through the trash to find items they can sell to recyclers.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Most people pick through the trash to find items they can sell to recyclers.
Courtesy Bill Smith
A girl searches for glass, plastic and metal at the landfill near Cambodia's capital. She and others have to combat flies, rats, snakes and the terrible stench.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
A girl searches for glass, plastic and metal at the landfill near Cambodia's capital. She and others have to combat flies, rats, snakes and the terrible stench.
Courtesy Bill Smith
A child picks through garbage instead of going to school. Many families depend on the money the children make at the dump, about $10 a month, according to Bill Smith.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
A child picks through garbage instead of going to school. Many families depend on the money the children make at the dump, about $10 a month, according to Bill Smith.
Courtesy Bill Smith
Haunted by what he saw at the dump, Bill Smith started taking photos. "I remember thinking, 'I got to take pictures as fast as I can to show people this,' " the professional photographer recalls.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Haunted by what he saw at the dump, Bill Smith started taking photos. "I remember thinking, 'I got to take pictures as fast as I can to show people this,' " the professional photographer recalls.
Courtesy Bill Smith
The Smiths decided to help a girl named Sreyna, then 10, go to school. "I don't know if it was the red hat or it was her eyes ... these big eyes ... (that) just looked kind of hopeless," Lauren Smith recalls.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
The Smiths decided to help a girl named Sreyna, then 10, go to school. "I don't know if it was the red hat or it was her eyes ... these big eyes ... (that) just looked kind of hopeless," Lauren Smith recalls.
Courtesy Bill Smith
Sreyna picks through garbage -- the most desirable items are silver-colored metal and clear plastic.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Sreyna picks through garbage -- the most desirable items are silver-colored metal and clear plastic.
Courtesy Bill Smith
Sreyna, right, and her sister Salim stand in front of their house near the dump. They had no electricity or running water.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Sreyna, right, and her sister Salim stand in front of their house near the dump. They had no electricity or running water.
Courtesy Bill Smith
Sreyna stands next to her mother and two other girls. The Smiths made a deal with the girls' mother to pay her what her daughters would make at the dump in exchange for sending the girls to school.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Sreyna stands next to her mother and two other girls. The Smiths made a deal with the girls' mother to pay her what her daughters would make at the dump in exchange for sending the girls to school.
Courtesy Bill Smith
Lauren Smith with Sreyna and Salim after a shopping trip in Cambodia. She says it didn't take much to buy clothes for the girls. "You can get something for $2," she says.
Haunting images from Cambodia —
Lauren Smith with Sreyna and Salim after a shopping trip in Cambodia. She says it didn't take much to buy clothes for the girls. "You can get something for $2," she says.
Courtesy Bill Smith