World Pulse (VOF Tour) LIVE 2011

It is my second time preparing myself travel miles across the ocean to represent the women and girls in Cambodia to the world where people are concerning about the world’s problem facing by using media to address all the social changes in Cambodia and also the world. It is my great honor to be able to speak to the audiences across the nation of the United States. World Pulse is like a home that I always feel warm when I am there. It is a place to give me a new birth to be valued and encouraged. To be honest, if I hadn’t known World Pulse, I wouldn’t have been able to build my own capacity building and self confident to empower other women and girls in Cambodia.

I know my parents must be proud of her daughter traveling miles apart to the give voice heard at the most modern country. I feel I am a lucky girl among of the poor families in my country that I am able to get education even my family is uneducated and poor.

Leaving Phnom Penh Airport with nervousness, happiness and excitement for the World Pulse Live but I know I am strong enough to speak out what I want. Absolutely, World Pulse must be an interesting and amazing one for my life to be confident. Even I feel nervous but I have never lost hope and try, I will still continue my journey to the states. 3 hours and 40 minutes have gone, I was at a foreign land in Tapie (Taoyoun International Airport), my heart was beating as I was really bad in finding the gates for connecting fly to the Los Angeles Airport with the little time given. I got lost again and again even but I finally got the right track to be at the right GATE. Thanks god that he always helps this little lady all times. Yay I finally found my flight. I though felf not so happy as it was not my destination to land so I have to continue my fly till I get Portland Airport, Oregon.

I finally arrived at the United States but I was never happy since it was not my destination so at Los Angeles Airport I needed to find a new terminal and gate. Oh god, the airport is very big, I needed to spend 2 hours and an half to be checked at Custom Border, claimed my suitcase and checked in again for the new flight to Portland. I arrived at a wonderful place of Portland, Oregon. My eyes were searching someone from World Pulse and also Soroptimister. I was imagining who picked me up since I knew from Ellie Angelova, a World Pulse Development Associate, told me last few days that I would be picked up by her or other World Pulse team. Oh fantastic, while I was finding I saw Jensine then I called Hey Jensine – once she also recognized me then she said Welcome to Portland. I was happy and excited to see both my World Pulse sister and Soroptimist sister. Both of these organizations are like my parents. I cannot lose any one, you both give me a new birth and be strong. It is really an impact in my life to part of World Pulse and Soroptimist.

I was the first correspondent who arrived earlier than other two correspondents. I was really excited when I heard I was hosted for a night by a Cambodian-American lady, Putsata Reang, a journalist for an organization at Washington D.C. , she is really helpful. I have learned from her a lot how to be strong. Also, I could meet a lawyer. We had a breakfast together at the restaurant.

The most excited thing for me to meet everyone at the World Pulse office in Portland, Oregon. We talked many things for two hours and then we had a Social Media Session with Jade, Brees, Scott, Ellie and three of us Martha, Beatrice and me. I was happy to see World Pulse team, they were so friendly and helpful. I loved seeing their beautiful smiles welcoming us, it really means too much for me to be there. I was warm as I was home when I met them.

Wonderfully, World pulse team and the three correspondents had dinner together at Putsata’s house, they enjoyed eating Khmer foods. Putsata is very good in cooking, we do love all the food she has cooked for us.

It was a joy to meet up with the World Pulse Team, at a moment I noticed that it was not my dream to be here in the United States to speak for many women and girls in my country. It is really a wonderful impact for my whole life. I am very grateful to all World Pulse team for making it happened and helping me to see a new world where I have never imagined being here.

I will write more journey later!