EnsayennaChey

Ensayenna Chey, a remarkable survivor and advocate, has carved an extraordinary path through a life shaped by unspeakable tragedy and unwavering resilience. Born in Cambodia in 1955, she experienced a childhood of privilege and education as the daughter of an esteemed mayor. Little did she know that her life would be forever altered by the harrowing events that unfolded in her homeland.

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge, led by the genocidal dictator Pol Pot, descended upon Cambodia, plunging the country into darkness. The brutal regime's aim was to establish a communist society by any means necessary, leading to the deaths of millions—including her father and mother, her husband, and newborn baby—and the enslavement of countless more. Ensayenna, a young woman at the time, found herself thrust into a world of unimaginable horror.

Despite the inconceivable challenges she faced, Ensayenna summoned her strength and resourcefulness to survive. Knowing that her identity as an educated individual made her a target for the Khmer Rouge's relentless persecution, she concealed her true background and underwent tremendous hardships. Witnessing the destruction of cities, the atrocities committed against her fellow countrymen and women, and the relentless struggle for survival, she clung to hope and defied the odds.

It was during these darkest moments that the world's attention turned away from the plight of the Cambodian people. Yet, amid this collective indifference, a glimmer of hope emerged. The disaster relief organization Operation USA became a beacon of compassion and assistance. In a remarkable twist of fate, Ensayenna's path crossed with the President of Operation USA, Richard Walden, leading to her escape to Thailand and eventually finding sanctuary in the United States.

Ensayenna's resilience did not waver in the face of her newfound freedom. Resettling in Southern California, she embarked on a career as a social worker, dedicating over three decades to supporting and empowering others. Her experiences under the Khmer Rouge fuel her commitment to advocate for justice, raise awareness, and ensure that the world never forgets the atrocities that took place in Cambodia.

Ensayenna's story, shared in her memoir White Elephant, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope. Through her remarkable journey, she inspires others to confront darkness with courage, to overcome adversity, and to strive for a world where such barbarism is never repeated.

Today, Ensayenna’s steadfast determination to build a memorial in Los Angeles to promote understanding and to foster a world rooted in compassion remains an integral part of her legacy. She is a living testament to the indomitable power of the human spirit.