By Chanh-Thu Kien and Kunthear Kien

We had once visited Cambodia and stayed in a hotel that was situated in the heart of Phnom Penh. The hotel seemed quite appropriate at the time and the staff came across quite professional and friendly. Within 3 days of my stay, we realized that a brothel existed on the 3rd floor. In that hotel, girls waited outside various rooms where endless nights of karaoke music blasted through the walls. To us this was quite confronting as we had never witnessed such a scene quite like this. At times we overheard conversations and could identify that most were young to middle aged Cambodian and Vietnamese women. Regretfully, we saw these women...

By Lam Pecha

Venerable Thach Ne and Thach Sathoul of the Pothivong temple in Saigon are embarking on a grand mission at the local level. Step by step, they are bringing back Khmer literacy and teaching Khmer Krom children in Toul Ta Mok (Binh Phuoc) province to learn their native Khmer language and the language of our Buddha, Pali.   

For majority of the students who come to learn at the Wat Phum Thom (Vat Reachakmahaketakvanaram) pagoda, this would be their first time ever at seeing what Khmer writings looks and sounds like.

By Sojaita Jenny Hua

When I first learned about Cambodian Classical dance or Court dance, I was intrigued. From a young age and up until now my family has made it a priority for me and my siblings to learn to speak our native language of Khmer and to be proud of our cultural heritage. It was my honor when I was 14 to get the opportunity to personally learn how to dance in the way of our royalty and that is what I try to instill in my students these days…honor.

By Lenny Thach

Vesak Day is the most important day for Buddhists around the world. Vesak Day happens at the full-moon day of May. It commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing-away of the Buddha.

The Celebration of the UN Vesak Day originated from the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 13 December 1999, Session No. 54, Agenda item 174. The representatives of the sixteen countries (United States, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar…) proposed to the UN General Assembly to recognize....

By Dara Kim

Prior to arriving in the United States for the 2009 session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), I did not really know much of the history of Khmer-Krom. I knew that my parents, Makarar, and people around me were very involved in the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation in Europe, but I did not want to get involved as much as these people.

Why? I told myself that I would have time to be part of the KKF when I'm older, when I finish my studies or when I have more time. As we already know, time can found if one truly seeks it, otherwise it is just an excuse to say nicely that we do not want to do this or that. Thus, this year I decided to take the opportunity for myself to understand what was happening in our homeland and our heritage.

I understood by reading books, researching on the internet and especially in discussions with our people that the human rights violations has been committed seriously towards our Khmer-Krom people . My father is a living example. He is one of those who experienced...

My Reflection on the 3rd World Youth Conference

By Khemarith Thach

This year, on May 23rd, 2009, I had a chance to attend the 3rd World Youth Conference that was organized by the Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Youth Committee (KKFYC) at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. It was an eye opening for

me to learn about my own identity and why I need to preserve it as the theme of the conference “The Power of Youth - Safeguarding the Khmer-Krom Identity”.

Voice from UNPO

By Maggie MURPHY

 At times I complain about inequality in pay between men and women in Europe. At times I complain about unfair access to good schools in the UK.

At times, I complain about British policy and politics. But at least I can complain.

I have been lucky to grow up in a society where discrimination is less than in other nations across the world, but importantly, I am lucky because I have the opportunity to speak out about my concerns.

Khmer-Krom Dragons

August 8, 2009

6^th Annual Bon Om Tuk – 2009

 This year the Khmer-Krom Dragons (KKD) team celebrates in the 6^th Annual Bon Om Tuk hosted by the Asian American Dragon Boat Association.  The KKD participates in the Junior-mixed division, Senior-mixed division, and the Exhibition division.  The KKD team places first in all three divisions.