Cherteal

Welcome សូម​ស្វាគមន៍

ឈើទាល I Cherteal

“Life is like the Cher Teal tree, one can only flourish if one knows one’s roots.” – Sothy

Hi, I’m Sothy!

សួស្តី! As the first generation Khmer Krom living abroad, it can be mighty confusing to figure out who you are or why you are here. This site was created for two reasons. Firstly, to help you explore your culture, identity and ultimately help you find your place in the world just like what I am doing right now. Secondly, to help advocate for the voices of the Khmer Krom people, who like the cherteal tree, stands unrecognized as the Indigenous Peoples of the Mekong Delta and its surrounding region.

Whatever reason brings you here, know that you will learn, find inspiration, belonging and be unstoppable in helping to make our world a better place.

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● Latest Posts

  • When to be a Gentleman – A Funny Story

    With so much seriousness going on, I wanted to lighten the mood and share a funny memory with you. It is the story of a group of Khmer Krom youth meeting in New York on a mission to raise awareness of the Khmer Krom issues at the United Nations. If you have been to New Read more

  • Fitness Goals? Tips to get started today.

    Today I went for a run. I really didn’t want to. It was warm and quiet inside the house. But then I remembered the group that I had signed up for me to keep accountable. And I also remembered that this was my self care moment, an opportunity for me to take control of my Read more

  • A day to celebrate MLK and reflect on a woman’s worth

    It’s a cold morning here in America. As I sip on my warm coffee, I am feeling a sense of gratefulness. To be in a place where conversation about peace and justice is being encouraged and promoted because of movements like Black Lives Matter and leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Schools are closed. Banks Read more

  • Grief and Joy, like the Moon and Sun.

    Grief is the opposite of joy. Like the moon and the sun. When joy happens, our hearts sing with happiness. Our days are brighter, clearer and our energy is boundless like the warmth of the sun. When an event happens and we lose someone or a pet, grief hits us like a splash of icy Read more

  • Why Less is More

    This is a guest post by Lan Thach, born in Khleang and raised in America. She loves mushrooms and running up the mountains behind her home. It was a hot summer day. As I lay under the shade of the cashew nut trees, I looked up at the sky. I saw a fluffy cloud and Read more

  • Celebrating a small victory of democracy today

    I was on my way from work yesterday when I saw the news and was rendered speechless.  Protestors had entered halls of congress and attempted to disrupt the sessions of the House and the Senate. Behind the locked doors, guns were drawn as the lawmakers and leaders hid behind seats in fear. It was a Read more

  • Joys of coming back to work during COVID 19

    There is often a lot of talk in media about increasing infections, death and fear. I don’t want to diminish the fact that COVID 19 is real but having been back to work on campus and seeing others, has helped me feel safe, connected and sane. Safe because we were all doing everything we can Read more

  • Happy New Year! 2021 is here…

    As I step outside, a cool breeze rushes towards me and gently lingers on my bare forearms as if in greeting. On my left, a bird chirps and the branches of the trees rustled as if in response. The sun is bright, its ray of light filtering through trees and warming the grass covered in… Read more

  • Seven Reasons Why I am thankful for 2020

    As 2020 comes to close and 2021 enters, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the struggles and count my blessings. There are seven reasons why I am thankful for 2020. Practiced Slowing down We live in a very busy society, where being busy is often seen as a sign of being productive. Read more

  • A fitting name for this site

    I decided to name this site, Cher Teal, a word in Khmer for “Wood Teal”. It is the name of a sacred tree that lies in the heart of Preah Trapeang province. According to local Khmer legends, this tree was planted by Chao Vay Son Kuy, a Khmer Krom Governor in the nineteenth century prior Read more

  • Happy Birthday Om Reap

    Khmer is my mother tongue language and yet I struggle to this day, to read and write frequently. I remembered a time when I had to speak in front of our Khmer Krom community. I remembered the fear of not finding the right word or being able to translate from English To Khmer in time Read more

  • Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Join KKFYC

    Top Ten Things you learn by being part of KKF/KKFYC I have been part of Khmers Kampuchea Krom Federation for almost 2 decades. Sounds kind of long if one puts it that way. My journey started when I was just 17, back when computers were rare and expensive and the only way one could get Read more