Give in May: Support Cross Cultural Exchange & Healing

Last week CERI hosted a cultural exchange gathering in partnership with Asian Health Services that was truly unforgettable — one of those rare and beautiful moments that reminds us of the deep humanity that connects us all beyond language, nationality, or history.

From the very moment the Chinese elders from Asian Health Services walked into CERI and effortlessly joined the Zumba session (see this fun short video), there was an immediate sense of warmth, familiarity, and belonging. It was difficult to explain exactly what created such an instant connection. It felt less like guests arriving at an organization and more like beloved relatives coming to visit family they had not seen in a long time. It was as though our Cambodian elders’ cousins from another city had come home for the day.

The joy in the room was palpable. Smiles came easily, laughter flowed naturally, and the connection between the Cambodian and Chinese elders felt genuine, spontaneous, and deeply heartfelt. Although many did not share the same language, they shared something far more powerful — warmth, kindness, curiosity, and the universal language of human connection.

Our Khmer elders delighted in tasting the Chinese sample dishes, while the Chinese elders warmly enjoyed the traditional Khmer foods prepared by our Cambodian elders for the gathering. Food became another language of love and hospitality, exchanged with generosity and joy.

While live music played by Joe on the keyboard filled the space, it gently opened yet another layer of joy. Many of the Khmer elders began singing familiar Khmer songs, their voices rising with ease and nostalgia. In turn, the Chinese elders were warmly invited to share Chinese songs, and they did so with equal delight, offering melodies that carried their own memories and histories.

Soon, the entire room was in motion. Elders stepped onto the dance floor together, following the simple, welcoming steps of a Chinese dance, laughing as they learned from one another in real time. There was no hesitation, no distance — only presence, movement, and shared rhythm.

Throughout the event, staff from CERI and Asian Health Services emceed the program in three languages — English, Khmer, and Chinese — creating a space where everyone felt seen, welcomed, and included. There was something profoundly moving about hearing these languages woven together in one room, united by laughter, music, dance, and care for one another. You could truly feel love in the space.

One of the most touching moments came at the end of the gathering, when saying goodbye became unexpectedly difficult. No one seemed ready for the visit to end. Our elders invited the elders from Asian Health Services to join CERI’s Zumba classes on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and lovingly asked them to promise they would return soon for another cultural exchange gathering.

Perhaps what made the day so meaningful was that, for those few hours, the usual boundaries that separate people seemed to disappear. You could no longer see “Cambodian” elders and “Chinese” elders. You simply saw human beings finding joy, companionship, familiarity, and belonging in one another. It was a powerful reminder that beneath nationality, language, and culture, our shared humanity remains far greater than our differences.

CERI is deeply grateful to Asian Health Services for creating this joyous opportunity and to their wonderful staff for coming to CERI with such openness and warmth. We are also especially grateful to Winnie and Yu-shuan for being wonderful emcees and to our very own Sophal for organizing every aspect of this beautiful gathering from the CERI side with such care and dedication.

This was more than a cultural exchange. It was a moment of collective joy, healing, and human connection that will remain in our hearts for a very long time.