As humans, let us have good intentions. Let us learn how to love one another. For the younger generation, I want to ask you to forgive each other when conflicts arise. When I look back at my life, I have no regrets. To me the essence of life is to be kind, to help one another and to practice happiness. ~ Om Pen YelOn Friday, April 29th, over 75 community members and staff gathered at CERI’s garden to honor Om Pen Yel. His loving family were all there to be by his side. We laughed, shared stories, and, of course, ate delicious homemade Cambodian food prepared by community members. Om Pen Yel has been with CERI since our beginnings. A generous human, he reflects the spirit of CERI, a place where we are there for one another. Recently, Om Pen Yel was diagnosed with cancer. It was hard to digest at first - a person so kind, who suffered and survived heart breaking losses of close family members during the Khmer Rouge genocide, who carried his pain for 20 years before talking about it, now suddenly struck with a life threatening illness. Hearing this news and knowing that his birthday was coming up, the CERI community decided to show their love and appreciation to Om Pen Yel by celebrating his life right now.
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