In California, Cambodian Reconciliation
A small Cambodian community in America seeks reconciliation. (20 June 2008)
Sopheaktra Nou, executive director and founder of theCambodian Reconciliation Committee, said that he and a group of dedicated youngand old Cambodian citizens established the CRC in 1999. Members of the groupvolunteered to help put this organization together for the Cambodian communityin Fresno County. Not only did the members want to help reunite the community, but to help thosein the Cambodian community that cannot solve their own issues due to the lackof knowledge in English, Sopheaktra Nou told VOA Khmer in a recent interview. "CRC is centered on building cohesion among Cambodian people and isdedicated to help serve the community of both elderly and young KhmerAmericans," Sopheaktra Nou said. The Cambodian population in Fresnois the smallest community nationwide, he said. For this reason, CRC thinks itis an optimal time to group Cambodian people together once again. In 2001, US state and federal governments granted CRC non-profit status. CRCalso focuses on education. The committee organizes a Cambodian High SchoolCommencement every year to teach Cambodian graduates the importance of highereducation. "Our mission is to help Cambodian people in the Fresno Community to livein a better life and to become productive citizens. We have talented staff ofprofessionals in areas of counseling, child abuse prevention, spouse abuseprevetion, kids run away prevention, domestic violence prevention, and socialservice assistance," Sopheaktra Nou said.