In Memory of Nuon Phaly

In Memory of Nuon PhalyCAMBODIA — BY KELLY ON NOVEMBER 28, 2012 12:50 PMI received very sad news today, an angel has passed away.Madam Nuon Phaly, a Cambodian humanitarian andfounder of Future Light Orphanage (FLO) has left thisearth after a week of fighting for her life after beinginvolved in a serious automobile accident. The accidentoccurred in a mountainous region near the border ofVietnam and Laos, where Phaly had been helping themany children in need at a smaller orphanage. Her entirelife was dedicated to helping children and my heart breaksfor the hundreds of children she has been a mother to foryears. She was loved by many and will be missed. Theworld truly is a better place because of her.I had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable woman in2008 when I volunteered at FLO, the orphanage shefounded outside of Phenom Phen, Cambodia. My friendNicole and I were even invited into her private home for dinner one evening in which Nuon Phaly told us much about herlife. Her story told me how strong this gentle loving woman was and I don’t think I don’t know which was bigger … herresolve or her heart. I was inspired by her triumph through tragedy and unthinkable evil.Nuon Phaly was one of the millions of Cambodians that were ousted fromtheir homes during the Pol Pot, Khmer Rouge Era. She and her family fledto a refugee camp on the Thai border where she lost her husband and all ofher children to starvation. She spent nine years at the Thai refugee campwhere she saw many women suffering from war induced depression. Sheco-founded the Khmer People Depression Relief, providing assistance tovictims still suffering from post-traumatic stress.supplemental education.In 1993 she returned to Cambodia with 8 women and 91 orphans and builther orphanage on her grandmother’s land, located on the outskirts ofPhnom Penh. Today FLO is home to over 200 children and an additional150 children frequent the orphanage from a nearby village to receiveI remember why we named the orphanage Future Light. As my husband reminds me, there are many poor people inCambodia, and none face a harder life than the orphans and the poor children. They have no hope for the future. Wewant the orphans to have future light, to have hope. So we will stay with them.- Madam Nuon PhalyYou can read Madam Nuon Phaly’s remarkable story in her ownwords.In the words of Rob Hail, founder of eGlobal Family, a nonprofit organization that has supported FLO for many years:

Phaly leaves behind a dedicated family and staff who wish to carry on her legacy as do all of us in eGlobal Family. I amconfident that this will be done. Our FLO children will continue to be nurtured and provided for as will the many others thatwill follow them into FLO’s embrace. Phaly’s example and leadership will not be forgotten. Her life and all the goodness shetaught us will continue in us for generations to come. Our world is such a better place thanks to this courageous woman.We all love and miss you so much Phaly. May you rest in peace.Madam Nuon Phaly is the subject of a documentary, Out of the Dark, which is currently being produced. The trailer can beviewed below. Trailer: Out of the Dark from Jeff DePonte on Vimeo.If you are inspired by Nuon Phaly’s story you can also help support the orphanage. You can make a donation throughthe eGlobalFamily website. There are many children at FLO that are in need of an eFosterParent. I am one myself and canattest that through the support of a yearly donation to your child and an email relationship you can greatly make adifference in a child’s life. I am thinking of you now Som Sreyleak.Source: http://bytheseatofmyskirt.com/2012/11/28/in-memory-of-nuon-phaly/