Teen Girl Barely Survived Genocide but ‘Lost Everything.’ She Rebuilt Her Life, Reunited Her Family and Found Her Voice

Teen Genocide Survivor in Cambodia Uses Dance to Preserve Heritage

Sambo Ly, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, has found solace and healing through dance and language classes that aim to keep her culture alive. Ly, who endured unimaginable horrors under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s, has dedicated her life to helping fellow Cambodians, especially children, maintain their cultural identity.

Growing up in Cambodia, Sambo Ly led a normal life until the Khmer Rouge regime came to power in the early 1970s. The communist regime led by Pol Pot systematically killed off a significant portion of the population, resulting in the loss of many of Ly’s relatives. In 1981, she immigrated to the United States, carrying with her the weight of her traumatic experiences.

For years, Ly remained silent about the atrocities she witnessed and endured as a child. However, she has since found a way to channel her trauma into healing by using her native language and the art of dance to reconnect with her roots and help others do the same. Speaking about her experiences in Cambodian brings forth deep emotions that she often struggles to convey in English.

As an interpreter and translator for over 40 years, Sambo Ly has been instrumental in bridging the gap between Cambodian immigrants and the American society. She founded the Cambodian Community Development, Inc. in 1990, offering a range of services from language classes to housing assistance. Through her nonprofit organisation, Cambodian Family and Children Services, established in 2016, she continues to empower her community.

The Khmer Rouge regime specifically targeted intellectuals and professionals, leading to a severe depletion of skilled individuals in Cambodia. Consequently, the Cambodian community in the US has faced challenges in thriving due to the loss of many professionals during the genocide. Sambo Ly’s efforts in preserving Cambodian culture through dance and language classes are crucial in nurturing a sense of identity and pride among the younger generation.

In addition to her cultural preservation work, Sambo Ly also serves as a voice for victims of child abuse and sex trafficking within the Cambodian community. Through her translation work, she ensures that the voices and emotional pain of victims, some as young as 5 or 6 years old, are accurately conveyed for legal proceedings.

Reflecting on her harrowing past, Sambo Ly recalls the loss of loved ones, the gruelling forced labour, and the daily struggle for survival during the genocide. She vividly remembers the horrific scenes of death and destruction along the treacherous journey she undertook as a teenager. Despite facing unimaginable hardships, she persevered, holding on to the hope of a better future.

After seeking asylum in the United States in 1981, Sambo Ly has dedicated her life to giving back to her community and advocating for those who may not have a voice. Her journey from a teenage survivor of genocide to a pillar of strength and resilience exemplifies the power of resilience and determination in overcoming adversity.

Today, Sambo Ly’s dance classes and language workshops continue to inspire and unite the Cambodian diaspora in California. Through her unwavering commitment to preserving her heritage and empowering her community, she stands as a beacon of hope and healing for all those whose lives she touches.