Loung was inspired to tell her story and help Cambodia heal. She has dedicated her life to promoting equality, human rights, and justice in her native land and worldwide. Named one of the “100 Global Youth Leaders of Tomorrow” by The World Economic Forum, Loung is the National Spokesperson for the Campaign for the Landmine-Free World and the Spokesperson for The Cambodia Fund, which runs prosthetic and land-mine recovery centers in Cambodia.
On May 6, 2009 the author conducted a phone interview with Loung Ung.
Award-winning Author
Loung's award-winning book First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers tells the story of her struggle to survive. It is a national bestseller and has been published in eleven countries and won the ALAPA award for "Excellence in Adult Non-fiction Literature" in 2001 and was selected by the ALA as a 'Best Book for Young Adults'. Lucky Child, her second book, tells the story of her years in America and the sister she left behind. Both works are used in college and community reading programs.
Loung has been the subject of many international documentaries and has been featured in The New York Times, The Today Show with Matt Lauer and Katie Couric, and other news programs
Activist, Philanthropist and Global Leader
As a refugee growing up in Cambodia and later as an immigrant family in America, the idea of becoming a global leader herself was far from Loung’s mind. As a young professional working in non-profits and business, and as an activist and author she realized that: “Leadership is what you make of it and you don’t have to do it alone. In fact, a leader inspires others to take action with them."
Loung shared a story about a letter from a third grader in New Jersey who read her book for an assignment. She was moved by the story and asked Loung how she could help. Loung challenged her to raise $1000 and pick a project in Cambodia that this money would go to. The girl raised over $1300 and is now on her way to expand her efforts.
Global Leaders are Human
Loung is praised as a global leader, Suite101 asked her about her most memorable experience as an activist, author and lecturer?
There were many memorable moments but one of her favorites was sitting at the head table with Sir Paul McCartney at an Amnesty International dinner when she was asked to present a Lifetime Achievement award to him. As a child in Cambodia, she didn’t know much about the "West" but she knew about the Beatles and she emphasized: “You don’t understand I love Beatles!” Beyond his music, Loung admires his philanthropic work and has a deep respect for his humanity.
Loung described the moment they first met with excitement and joy. To her surprise McCartney winked at her which she thought “was so cool!” On a deeper level, it made her realize how far she had come. She added that if one had told her in high school that she would be living on the streets, eating out of garbage cans, screaming in rage…she more readily would have believed that vision. Instead she she sat one seat from her idol, Sir Paul McCartney. As she spoke in front of her idol and a large audience, she noticed that people genuinely appreciated what she had to say. The experience was humbling and showed her that one's past does not have determine one's future.
A New Book
Loung is working on a third book and Suite101 asked her what readers can expect. After two memoirs Loung is now working on a fictional story inspired by true events about a group of Cambodian immigrants in 1975 living in America who desperately tried to find a way back home to Cambodia during a time of chaos and war devastation; knowing there was no working government.
Loung was inspired by the story as in some way it resembles the reverse of her own story. This group of Cambodians wanted to go back because they knew in their hearts that their families needed them. There are some harsh realties and tragedy in the story but at its core it is a tale about family, community and identity. It’s a connecting story of love and hope.
Loung lives with her husband in Cleveland and when she is not writing, traveling, or immersed in her philanthropic causes, she spends time helping out at her restaurant Bartento in downtown Cleveland which she is part owner of.
To read more about Loung Ung, please refer to the following article "Leaders are made not born in America".
 |
