Barely a blink of an eye and May has arrived. I am not sure about you but I am glad April is over! It’s been a crazy month, working during the day and preparing for the UNPFII early in the mornings, late evenings and weekends!  Reminds me of times before the pandemic happened and yet here we are still under a pandemic globally. 

All the hours, time and effort came to fruition as we finished the Permanent Forum strong, with three interventions given virtually and five submitted.  I was honored to be given an opportunity to speak on Thursday in response to Vietnam’s statement. You can see Vietnam’s statement and my intervention via VOKK. 

We ask that Vietnam refer to us indigenous peoples, not ethnic minorities in this forum and reaffirm our right to self identify. It is time that Vietnam implements a national plan of action to support and recognize our indigenous status.

KKF intervention @UNPII20 on Thursday 29th April, 2021.

In April, we launched a t-shirt competition and executed a fun and creative video campaign that our #kkfyc youths globally could partake in. It was refreshingly different and we are amazed at the overwhelming support from our chapters and the general public.

Some of the funds raised will be used to help our KK community in Cambodia and Khmer-Krom refugees in Thailand during these difficult times.  The remaining funds will be used to fuel the important work of the #KKF in advocating for the indigenous rights of the Khmer-Krom people in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

As April came to  close, May opened with a celebration of my birthday. I am so thankful for everyone who has taken the time to wish me a happy birthday. It came from corners of the Earth and I am so blessed to know so many people in this journey of life.  

With May here, life is feeling busier than usual. It feels somewhat normal, just like the times before the pandemic and yet, it scares me a little because I see being busy differently than I did previously. 

Slowing down is important, perhaps not to the screeching halt that the pandemic forced all of us to do, rather it is about having a better balance between life and work. That the lines be less blurred and more defined. 

That instead of living life through work mindlessly, trying to fill all of our time to be productive and saying yes to everything, let’s live life more intentionally. By saying No more often. Learning to value and  respect each other’s time and energies and focusing on doing things that truly matter, like focusing on our health, family and community. 

What has April been like for you and what are some things you look forward to this month?