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 | Loung Ung: Activist, Author, Lecturer
"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."
~ John F. Kennedy |
The Power to Change the World
Monthly featured programs that you can become involved with
February 2010 Featured Program
Name
Veterans International Cambodia Rehabilitation Project
Website
http://www.ic-vic.org/
About
Veterans International in Cambodia (VI/C) opened its Cambodia rehabilitation program with a small clinic in Phnom Penh in 1991. The clinic provided prosthetic services for amputees, primarily injured during the long civil war.
Since then, VI/C’s work has expanded to other parts of Cambodia with the opening of additional centers in Prey Veng and Kratie to provide comprehensive care and services. These centers not only aid amputees, but also individuals with mobility problems caused by polio, cerebral palsy, clubfoot, tuberculosis of the bone and other conditions.
Dear friends,
Over the years, I have returned to Cambodia more than thirty times. These trips have allowed me to reconnect with my sister Chou, my brother Khouy, and many other relatives, and to fall in love again and again with the country, its people, and culture. Cambodia gave me many of my "first loves" in life—family, friendships, music, movies, food, and colors. For these reasons and more, my heart and soul will always belong to Cambodia.
Since 1997, helping Cambodia has also been my professional focus. After my first return trip to Cambodia in 1995, I left my job at the Abused Women's Advocacy Project in Maine and moved to Washington D.C. to work for the Vietnam Veteran's of America Foundation (VVAF). In D.C., I found that though Cambodia was my constant focus, it was not for others. In 1999, I wrote my memoir with hopes that it would help me to raise awareness and funds to help support the various programs that I care about in Cambodia.
Since its publication, many readers have written to share how "First" have touched their hearts. Many readers have also emailed to say how "First" inspired them to take action and asked how they could help. I am so always grateful to read this. Here are a few examples of how they've helped.
- After my visit to her school in Australia, a high school girl wrote to tell me she had organized a concert called "Bombs Be Gone" to raise money to remove mines in Cambodia.
- After they read my book, The Khmer Student Association at the University of Washington held a candle light vigil to remember the lives lost during the Khmer Rouge.
- Then there was Mr.Tom Wright of Cathay Pacific Airways, who helped with getting his airline to fly The Cambodian Disabled Volleyball team to play in The Good Will games in Germany.
Thank you all. I am thrilled that in some small ways, my books have connected these compassionate people to Cambodia.
And so in the spirit of their generosity and givings, I've created this "Power to Change" section to my website. Each month I will feature a program that is doing wonderful work in Cambodia. Please consider helping in anyway you can.
Peace to you all,
Loung Ung
Loung Ung
© Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
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