A certified medical assistant majoring in nursing at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Sovannimul Bou dreams of becoming a doctor and returning to Cambodia, where she was born: “I have a goal to one day treat the poor, especially in the countryside, where they have no access, no knowledge of how important health issues are, and hopefully to work with the health system there to make things better.”

Since coming to the United States in 2005, Bou has had some difficulties adjusting to the culture and the academics. Of course, communication was one of the biggest barriers at first. It helps that there is enough of a Cambodian community in Lowell that Bou is often able to use her native language. She truly appreciates the opportunity to pursue higher education and does not take it for granted, since it is even harder to do so in Cambodia.

But that is not the only difference or connection she has noticed between her homeland and America. “I am hoping to positively influence the two worlds by spreading the culture and the language. By doing so, we might be able to change the minds of those who wish to have nothing to do with the Cambodian American community at all—get them to become more active and involved in learning and sharing Cambodian culture,” said Bou.

As part of her work as Khmerican’s second photographer in Lowell, Bou would like to increase recognition of our community’s talents instead of just the past tragedy and hardships many Cambodian families have experienced.

“I can try to express stories with my photography skills and hopefully help the younger generations to learn and not repeat history,” says Kenith Oun, a customer support technician by vocation but a photographer in his spare time. He hopes to turn that hobby into a full-time job one day, maybe even getting some of his shots published in National Geographic.

Oun believes there are plenty of role models for today’s Khmer American youth, but that those born here don’t fully appreciate or take advantage of the tremendous opportunities in front of them. “We who live here are so adapted to American customs that we don’t take opportunity seriously like people who live back in Cambodia.” Educational achievement is one area in particular that we take for granted, according to Oun, whereas many in Cambodia can only dream of having good schools to attend.

However, there is reason for optimism. Not only are there role models, but we can be whoever we want to be: “Most of us born in America can be raised properly and do so much for our future,” says Oun, whether becoming entertainers, researchers, or politicians. Indeed, by “declaring the success of Khmer people all around the world,” sharing their positive stories in online social networks, Khmerican can influence many in the US and beyond—this will give Khmer youth hope and proof that we do succeed.

Representing Lowell, Massachusetts, home to the largest population of Khmer Americans after Long Beach, Kenith Oun will be the fourth photographer to join our team.

EC

Malissa Tem has a natural instinct for storytelling, to the point that she feels her current path as a journalism student and freelance reporter found her rather than her choosing it. She takes a meticulous approach to her work, making such extensive notes that she can feel overwhelmed by the story she’s trying to cover. However, she believes the Khmerican is a fitting venue for her talents, one that “offers a different perspective that is often neglected by other media outlets.” In fact, Tem sees the Khmerican as being able to “build a large network of leaders in the different Cambodian communities buy sharing stories that can inspire the next wave.”

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