Loung Ung

Loung Ung is a survivor of the killing fields of Cambodia, one of the bloodiest episodes of the twentieth century. When she was five years old, the Khmer Rouge army stormed into Phnom Penh, forcing her family to flee and disperse. Over the next three years, Loung lost half of her family, including both parents. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed. After the war, Loung came to the United States as a refugee with her brother Meng; eventually she overcame trauma, dislocation, racism, cultural and language barriers to build a successful new life in America. As an adult she finally returned to Cambodia to reunite with the family she had left behind and began the life of activism that she has pursued ever since. Harrowing, yet hopeful, Loung’s story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality. Loung walks her audience through the most horrific events of her life—separations, starvation, rage, heartbreaks, loss—and shares how she came out of them with her love, humor, and spirituality intact. Loung Ung is the author of the internationally best-selling memoirs First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, Lucky Child, and Lulu in the Sky With Diamonds. She was the spokesperson for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, run by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. Loung co-wrote the screenplay to adapt her first book, now a major motion picture directed by Angelina Jolie, streaming on Netflix. Loung has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, People Magazine, CNN, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and The Today Show. In addition, she has been the subject of documentary films broadcast by Nightline, German ARTE, and Japanese NHK. Loung has given hundreds of keynote addresses at numerous forums in the U.S. and internationally, including Stanford University, Dartmouth College, Phillips Academy, Facing History and Ourselves, Women in the World Summit, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Mexico 1 Million Youth Summit.

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

One of seven children of a high-ranking governmental official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing her family to flee and, eventually, disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed. Harrowing, yet hopeful, Loung’s story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality. With a fluency of language and a writer’s understanding of story telling, Loung wraps her personal story in history and politics. Chapter by chapter, Loung walks her audience through the most horrific events of her life—separations, starvation, rage, heartbreaks, loss—and shares how she came out of them with her love, humor, and spirituality in tact. Those who expect to see a victim broken from her ordeals will be surprised by the vibrant, colorful, funny, and lively woman standing before them, and they will leave inspired to take action.

Ordinary Citizens, Extraordinary Leaders: Creating Change Through Activism and Volunteerism

Peace is not merely a wish or a dream—it is an ongoing commitment and a life-time of deliberate actions. Drawing from over three decades of experience as a student activist, her work on campaigns to end violence against women, landmines, and child soldiers, and writing, Loung Ung offers inspiring insights and practical strategies on how each of us can become catalysts for change in our communities and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or new to the world of volunteerism, this lecture provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable perspectives and tools for becoming an extraordinary leader in your own life and community.

You Make A Difference

Loung has spent years writing about her experience and speaking to hundreds of crowds about the cruelty of landmines. But Loung didn’t walk alone on this journey. Her path was lined with supporters, teachers, and mentors who helped her learn, grow, and heal. A former Army pilot who had served two tours in Vietnam saw a news story about refugees from the Khmer Rouge regime and asked his congregation to join him in bringing a Cambodian family to Vermont. A speech therapist taught her English and helped her pronounce unfamiliar sounds so she could begin speaking up in class. The eighth grade faculty took up a quiet collection among themselves to pay for the class trip to DC that Loung’s family couldn’t afford. Mr. S, an English teacher, told her ‘sometimes content counts more than correct words’, and encouraged her to write. Mrs. B, the guidance counselor, told her she could go to college and showed her that it was within her reach. Most children who walk through a school’s doors don’t have a story as dramatic as Loung’s. But all of them need the human connection and encouragement that comes from adults in their orbit who offer them support and mentorship. In this talk, Loung shares the inspiring and sometimes humorous stories of the people who helped a traumatized, silent, nine-year old develop into a confident activist, reminding the audience that their positive actions can make a huge difference in the life of one individual and end up affecting so many more.

The Response

“Loung was brilliant! From our standpoint, the visit was perfect in every way. She is a riveting speaker, and the visits to individual classes added a great deal of depth.”
Richard A. Hartzell, PhD, Principal of Upper School Taipei American School

“Outstanding! She connected with students, staff and parents. Her sense of social justice and humanity have touched the minds, hearts and souls of our community. Although she is now gone, her influence will continue to resonate for many people. On a pragmatic level, her experience as a survivor and a humanitarian have provided us with insights and shifts that will shape the way we think about and support service learning for our students in our school.”
Mark R. Boyer, Assistant Superintendent for Learning, Singapore American School

“Our visit with Loung Ung was outstanding. Ms. Ung was personable, engaging, and thoughtful and her interactions with my students was tremendously touching and authentic. The evening presentation brought in a full house (on a weeknight!) and the audience hung on her every word – you could have heard a pin drop. I would strongly recommend a visit by Ms. Ung – the impact she had on us as a school and as individuals was deep and moving.”
Aya Murata, Advisor to Asian and Asian American Students Phillips Academy

“Loung (…) delivered a powerful, moving and yet very human story. People watched in total rapt attention, many with tears in their eyes. To this day many still talk about the event and the impact she made. Loung is not just an inspiring and powerful speaker; she also comes across as so totally genuine. She manages to mix emotion and a compelling story with great enthusiasm. Her infectious charm and sense of fun is so much part of the experience. Once you have heard Loung speak, you are captivated, drawn in and left feeling good and wanting to do something positive with your life.”
Tom Wright, General Manager, India, Middle East, Africa & Pakistan Cathay Pacific

“Loung Ung taught me how to view life in a different way. I realize that I am fortunate to be living the life I live.”
Luis Gallegos, student
“Loung Ung’s presentation inspired me and influenced me to change my way of existing.”
Brittany St. John, student

“Speaking before our entire school community, she had the undivided attention of the room throughout her remarks on justice, compassion, strength and making the world a stronger place. In small groups and classroom visits, she brought that same intensity to each conversation, earning the respect and admiration of all she encountered. Truly one of the most memorable author visits we’ve ever had.”
Cris Harris Writing Center Director, Hawken School

“Words fail to explain the amount of courage, resilience, and passion Ms. Loung has inspired in us. Her experience serves as a call that we and the community as a whole must answer.”
Matthew Kwok, student, Case Western Reserve University

“Loung Ung’s presentation is mesmerizing. She paints pictures with her words and draws the audience into her most personal and often painful experiences. Her positivity, strength and determination continuously shine through, inspiring the listeners to recognize that they can make a difference with their own actions. Samara Lectures and Loung Ung were an absolute pleasure to work with. Even days after the program, members of the audience continued to contact us to thank us for bringing this powerful speaker.”
Ilana Cone Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer, Holocaust Center for Humanity