# data[].attributes.body
After 37 years, I've watched my grandfather which was the pillars of our family, passed away one by one. They survived the unimaginable horrors of genocide and lived on until just last April.

These resilient souls worked tirelessly to raise their children despite having nothing. Living day to day in poverty, they sacrificed everything for their children. They had no luxuries, couldn't travel, and barely had access to basic necessities.

Their children managed to build a slightly better life. They could travel within the country for business, and though proper education remained out of reach, they dared to dream bigger. They held onto hope and ambition, not just for themselves but especially for their children.

As we mark the 50th anniversary of the genocide's beginning on April 17, 2025, I reflect on how these two generations shouldered different burdens to create a more resilient future. They gave everything they had, using whatever strength and resources to pave the way forward.

Saying farewell to my grandfather was really emotional, but I'm deeply grateful for all he did for my parents. His legacy lives on as we continue to fulfill the dreams he and his generation made possible for us and the generations yet to come. 🙏❣️

# data[].attributes.body
Written By Sorathy Pouk Michell to honour the story of the Cambodian people.

# data[].attributes.body
Written by Sorathy Pouk Michell

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
A photo from our wedding shoot! It is the start of a lifelong journey of celebrating my heritage.

# data[].attributes.body
When I first met my (Filipino) husband and told him I'm Cambodian, his first question back was "How are your parents healing?" Very honestly, I had never reflected on it - to me, they were always just my parents. However, it was because of that moment that I started to unpack what it meant to be a daughter of refugees and honor their story. As we build our blended family, it has become even more imperative for me to preserve the Cambodian culture and memory. It's been a beautiful journey to learn more about my parents' journey, their strength and resilience, and witness their healing throughout the years.

# data[].attributes.body
The community garden is where most of the 1st Gen Cambodians grow food, have picnics, play boule (pictured here) or ouk (Cambodian chess), or just hangout. It’s not much, but it’s where we were planted and hopefully continue to grow.

# data[].attributes.body
J'espère que ma génération aura trouvé nos racines, qu'on aura soigné notre terre pour que vous puissiez vous épanouir pleinement. J'espère que vous pourrez grandir sous la lumière du soleil.

J'espère que j'aurais appris à parler, lire et écrire le khmer entre temps pour pouvoir vous écrire dans une langue que tout khmer pourra comprendre.

Pensées douces, un franco-khmer déraciné

# data[].attributes.body
Where my life and romance hit their turning points…

# data[].attributes.body
To the future generations:

I won't ask you to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. I understand you have a lot on your plate, and you do not want to disappoint yourself and those around you, but here is the truth: if you live only for others, you will end up resenting those around you. If you only live for yourself, you will have everything and nothing at the same time. The more you take, the less you have. So, strike a balance. Live with intention, with meaning, with love and compassion. Continue to evolve but don't lose sight of what truly matters. If you blossom into a beautiful, fragrant flower, your essence will spread to those around you. If you are pleasant within, you will naturally create a pleasant surrounding. If you learn to love intensely and unconditionally, others will learn eventually. Only then can peace be restored within and without.

# data[].attributes.body
Votre génération est celle qui continuera à panser les blessures, à y faire fleurir nos sourires millénaires, encore et encore.

# data[].attributes.body
Peu importe que le monde nous appelle pays en développement. Peu importe si les regards internationaux tardent à reconnaître notre valeur.

Car vous êtes les descendants des bâtisseurs d’Angkor, gardiens d’un héritage inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l’humanité.

Notre plus grande richesse ne se mesure pas en titres ou en classements, mais dans notre culture, notre mémoire, notre fierté.

Et si nous seuls en portons la conscience, alors cela suffit — car cette conscience élève notre âme et fait grandir tout le peuple khmer.

# data[].attributes.body
Dearest Seeds, Younglings and the Young at Heart -- May you be imbued with the wisdom of the past without the shackles of trauma and regret. May your journey in darkness lead to light and fulfillment. Tomorrow brings hope. You are loved. Always.

# data[].attributes.body
Remembering the Past, Renewing the Future: 50 Years Since the Killing Fields

By Sovachana Pou

Today, as we gather to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Killing Fields, we pause to remember the two million lives lost during the Khmer Rouge regime. This moment is not only about acknowledging the tragedy of our past; it is about honoring the memories of those who were stolen from us and recognizing the profound loss that continues to echo through our families, communities, and nation.

While no words or actions can ever erase the suffering, we are here because we believe in the power of our shared humanity to heal, rebuild, and move forward. Though our homeland has faced immeasurable pain, we find strength in our collective resolve to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. Renewal begins in the hearts of those who refuse to forget, and through remembrance, we can chart a path toward healing and justice.

This renewal, however, cannot begin by ignoring the past. To understand the future, we must learn from the stories of survivors and the lessons etched into the history of our homeland. Through survivor stories,  testimonies, scholarly research, and the preservation of our history, we come to realize how deeply connected we are to those who endured unimaginable suffering. We owe it to them to ensure their stories live on — to teach our children, educate our communities, and ensure that future generations of Cambodians understand the importance of remembering and learning from this dark chapter.

Fifty years have passed, but the burden of history remains. The victims are still searching for answers to the elusive question: What really happened? Would the Khmer Rouge leaders have been prosecuted if the international community had not been involved? We must also commit ourselves to justice — justice that is not only about holding perpetrators accountable but also about recognizing the resilience and dignity of those who survived. Our commitment to justice will ensure that we do not merely passively remember the past, but actively work to build a society grounded in truth, genuine reconciliation, real peace, and respect for human dignity. We sincerely hope that through this remembrance, people here and from around the world will hear and gain a deeper understanding of what really happened in Cambodia between 1975-1979—and help ensure that such an incomprehensible tragedy is never repeated.

On this solemn 50th anniversary, let us come together and make a pledge—to our ancestors, to the victims, and to future generations.

We pledge to continue seeking truth and justice.

We pledge to share our stories, to teach the lessons of the past to the younger generation, so that the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime will never be forgotten or repeated.

We pledge to build a Cambodia that honors the dignity of every individual, ensuring a future where peace, understanding, and unity prevail.

We pledge to “NEVER FORGET” and “NEVER AGAIN”

May their memories live on in our hearts and minds.
May we find the strength and resolve to build a future that honors their sacrifice.
May all Cambodians live free from fear, free from want, and embrace a life of dignity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Morissette-Phan, D., & Morissette-Phan, Y. (2020). Khiêm : Terres maternelles. Glénat.

# data[].attributes.body
"... il est superficiel d'accuser un peuple pour ce que son État inscrit dans son histoire." - Et si le contour culturel ou géographique de nos récits de survie et survivance n'a de sens que de repère pour mieux prendre soin les uns des autres...

# data[].attributes.body
When your information changes, you alter your conclusion, John Maynard Keynes –British economist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Parent presentation on the TLC New Year customs. 

# data[].attributes.body
Sharing our cultural heritage with our friends at school.

# data[].attributes.body
Passing our cultural heritage through dance. Like I experienced it in my childhood and how you might connect to it in yours. To Mera and all the second and third generation Khmer abroad.

# data[].attributes.body
No one can tell you or determine your Cambodian-ness. It is already within you.

# data[].attributes.body
Dismemberment from a Body Unknown, by Amara Goel, performed as the closing piece for "Acts of Memory: Hope in Motion," 26 April 2025, Paris, France