Loung Ung Quotes & Sayings

As Pa speaks, I know he thinks someone in our family has stolen the rice. The story of the rat is not true and everyone knows it. Convinced that he realises it was me, I hide my eyes from him. Shame burns my hand like a hot iron branding me for all to see; Pa's favourite child stole from the family. As if to rescue me,Geak wakes up and her screams of hunger interrupt the incident. — Loung Ung

From 1975 to 1979 - through execution, starvation, disease, and forced labor - the Khmer Rouge systematically killed an estimated two million Cambodians, almost a fourth of the country's population. — Loung Ung

Courage is when you dare to be yourself, in whatever ways you want to be - to not be afraid, to just do it. — Loung Ung

To all the survivors out there, I want them to know that we are stronger and more resilient than we ever knew. We survived, that should be enough but it isn't. We must work hard to become whole again, to fill our soul with love and inspiration, to live the life that was intended for us before it was disrupted by war and horrors, and help rebuild a world that is better than the one we had just left. — Loung Ung

Living life to the fullest involves living it with your family. — Loung Ung

When I arrived in America, though I had left the war physically far behind, in my mind, the soldiers were still chasing to kill me, my stomach was always hungry, and my fear and distrust kept me from opening up to new friendships. I thought the war was over when I left Cambodia, but I realize now that for survivors and all those involved, the war is never over just because the guns have fallen silent. — Loung Ung

On previous trips the pirates have stolen valuables, killed people, raped and abducted girls ... the women work frantically to ugly themselves up by smearing black charcoal paste on their faces and bodies. With ashen faces, some of the younger, prettier girls reach into the bags we have vomited into and scoop out handfuls of it to smear on their hair and clothes. — Loung Ung

In America there's a saying that children should be seen and not heard, .. In Cambodia, children should not be seen nor heard because you would not survive. — Loung Ung

Voting is not only our right, it is our power. When we vote, we take back our power to choose, to speak up, and to stand with those who support us and each other. — Loung Ung

Why are they doing this, Pa?" Kim asks. "Because they are destroyers of things. — Loung Ung

As I tell people about genocide, I get the opportunity to redeem myself. I've had the chance to do something that's worth me being alive ... The more I tell people, the less the nightmares haunt me. — Loung Ung

I am six years old and instead of celebrating with birthday cakes, I chew on a piece of charcoal. — Loung Ung

The first victims are always the children. — Loung Ung

In my heart I know the truth, but my mind cannot accept the reality of what this all means. — Loung Ung

I have to go to the toilet," I tell Ma urgently after dinner.
"You have to go in the woods."
"But where?"
"Anywhere you can find. Wait, I'll get you some toilet paper." Ma goes away and comes back with a bunch of paper sheets in her hand. My eyes widen in disbelief, "Ma! It's money. I can't use money!"
"Use it, it is of no use to us anymore. — Loung Ung

I think how the world is still somehow beautiful even when I feel no joy at being alive within it. — Loung Ung