Cambodia's Lost Children: Community Panel Event - Long Beach
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Cambodia's Lost Children: Community Panel Event - Long Beach

By Reconnecting Cambodia

Discover how DNA testing can reunite families, restore bonds, heal communities, and preserve Cambodia’s cultural heritage for generations.

Date and time

Location

United Cambodian Community

2201 East Anaheim Street Long Beach, CA 90804

Agenda

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Arrival and Food served

5:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Panel Discussion & DNA success story short film

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Optional free DNA test and Light Refreshments

Good to know

Highlights

  • 3 hours, 30 minutes
  • ALL AGES
  • In person
  • Free venue parking
  • Doors at 2:45 PM

About this event

Community • Nationality

Charity & Causes • Other

This year, Cambodia Town Film Festival (CTFF) commemorates the 50th year since the Khmer Rouge takeover, honoring the past, educating the present, and inspiring the future. The Reconnecting Cambodia Project (RCP) is thrilled to partner with CTFF and Rumduol to present "Cambodia's Lost Children," an event addressing family separation within the Cambodian diaspora and offering hope through innovative DNA-based reunification efforts.

Program Agenda:

3.30-5pm: Arrival and Food served

5-6pm : Short Film screening (15 mins), Panel Discussion and Q&A

6-7pm: Optional assited DNA sample collection and light refreshments

Event highlights:

  • Short Film: "Reunited after 73 years", a DNA success story of Suzie Leng Yuk with her 7 siblings.
  • Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A: This segment will focus on DNA's role in reunification and address concerns about DNA testing safety and security.
  • Moderated by Dr. Leah Tappero, Licensed Counseling Psychologist; the Panelists are Dorothy Chow, Host Death In Cambodia podcast | Mark Hopson, Co-founder Khmer Parents Association | Li-Da Kruger, Co-founder Reconnecting Cambodia Project | Suzie Leng Yuk, Reunited through DNA after 73 yrs | Meakara Mendez, Founder Missing People of Khmer Rouge Regime | Charles Song, Health Educator and Darith Ung, Lecturer CSULB.
  • Free DNA Testing: Opportunity to connect with RCP project members, receive assistance with free DNA sample collection and filling in consent forms.
  • Food & Refreshments: Served before and after the panel and Q&A.
  • Raffle Prizes

“This event will serve as a launchpad for innovative reunification approaches," said Li-Da Kruger, Founder of RCP. "We hope to empower families to begin or renew the search for their lost loved ones”.

The Reconnecting Cambodia Project offers hope for reunification through free DNA testing, fostering collaboration and community building.

Partners: CambodiaTownFilmFestival (CTFF), United Cambodian Community (UCC) and Khmer Parents Association (KPA).

Host: Reconnecting Cambodia Project, Li-Da Kruger (Founder) | +(0)7554 495775

Tickets are likely to sell out fast. Sorry to disappoint if this is the case, but please join us through the live stream. If you are interested in taking a DNA test, please contact Li-Da directly at li-da@reconnectingcambodia.org, who will be in Long Beach until 20th September.

For DNA test inquiries, livestream link, or consent forms, please reach us at:

Email: li-da@reconnectingcambodia.org

Messenger: Cambodia's Lost Children

Livestream Link:

http://bit.ly/4mrsnVQ

Access the necessary forms/links here:

◦ Consent form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctUhhrMqQKKoFiSyOnjbd3ToOp2N5n6bl77zKn1PNvs2smyA/viewform

◦ Contact form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefre1LOUu177FUO8nGezCgTC6XBUAkSg-0zV18GplZ7tk7PQ/viewform

◦ Website:

www.reconnectingcambodia.org

Frequently asked questions

What is the event about?

"Cambodia's Lost Children" event addresses family separation in the Cambodian diaspora, offering eal hope through the magic of DNA-based reunification. Inviting honest and open conversation aims to empower families to reconnect.

Why now?

Commemorating 50 years since the Khmer Rouge rise, Reconnecting Cambodia Project partners with CTFF, UCC, and KPA to address Cambodian diaspora family separation. Aims to honour the past, educate, inspire reunification via DNA.

Optional free DNA testing/sample collection

Free DNA test kits available to join the Reconnecting Cambodia Project. Sign a consent form before testing. Assistance provided for a saliva cheek swab (no blood). Your sample will be sent to MyHeritage’s lab in Texas. Results in about 2-3 months.

Will there be food?

Free food and drinks are available 3:30–5pm before the Panel, with light refreshments at 5pm afterward. If taking a DNA test, you must wait until after the test, as you CANNOT eat or drink 30 minutes before.

Is there parking available?

There are limited free parking spots available directly at United Cambodian Community (UCC). Additional street parking can be found in the surrounding neighborhood, though spaces may be limited, so we recommend arriving a little early to allow time to find parking nearby.

Language - will there be interpreters?

The event will be in both Khmer and English language. There will be a translating headsets.

Organized by

Reconnecting Cambodia

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Free
Sep 13 · 3:30 PM PDT