In 1993 Sina
graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering
from Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Presently, he is employed by Cascade Engineering
in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1994 Lundi
graduated with a B.S. in Biology and Psychology
from the University of California at Irvine. He
is in his third year in the medical school at
the University of California at Irvine.
In May 1995
Theary graduated with a B.A. in International
Relations from Georgetown University in
Washington, D.C. After graduation, she made
commitment to a one-year contract with a
Cambodian non-governmental organization (NGO)
working in Cambodia. Serving in the Ministry of
Justice, she taught English to Cambodian judges
and discussed the role of government in
fostering democracy and justice with the
judges. Outside of her classes, she spent
countless hours in the Cambodian parliament
networking with various Members of Parliament.
She dedicated most of her free time to teach
English to children at no cost. She also has
been involved in a local NGO called Solidarity
and Community Development (SODECO). In
addition, every evening, she broadcasted local
and international news in the English language
for the national television.
Presently,
Theary is in her first year at the law school of
the University of Michigan. She is anxiously
await to return to her love, Cambodia.
My youngest
and artistically gifted brother Daravuth is
enrolling in the arts program at the California
University at Long Beach and is preparing for
MCAT.
I work for
the internal audit department at the Fleet
Financial Group, Boston, MA. Previously, upon
the completion of an MBA program at Northeastern
University in 1995, I was working for the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) as a
bank examiner. My work experience in the
banking industry has been a beneficial,
functional, and practical experience. My most
influential rationale to work in the financial
industry is to gain work experience and
knowledge about the American banking system, so
that someday in the near-future, professional
Cambodian-Americans like myself can go back to
Cambodia to assist in rebuilding Cambodia.
On December
4, 1993, I accompanied my grandmother and Lundi
to visit my father's relatives in Cambodia. It
was the first time in fourteen years. For
fourteen years, my soul had been stirred
restlessly, aching to possess serviceable skills
to contribute in the molding of a
self-sufficient state of Cambodia. For fourteen
years, my heart had uttered countless prayers
for peace in Cambodia, her well-being, and
cultural preservation. For fourteen years, my
spirit had yearned to be with her, to care for
her people who have been agonizing over the pain
of wars, starvation, diseases, and experiencing
the hopelessness of social and cultural
annihilation.
