Sambo Ly, Alameda Health System’s manager of interpreter services, was featured in People Magazine for her remarkable experience surviving a brutal genocide and war in Cambodia.
Ly was a teenager when the Khmer Rouge genocide began. She experienced many horrors during that time.
“I still remember, to this day, the image of the water along the way with corpses floating in the river, abandoned cars and structures,” she told People Magazine, describing a months-long trek across the country. “My younger cousins were taken away. We hear stories of children buried alive or plastic put over their heads. It’s hard to comprehend.”
Once Ly made it to the U.S., she dedicated her life to rebuilding and giving back to her community. She has worked at Alameda Health System for decades, helping refugees, immigrants, and patients who don’t speak English communicate with their health care providers.
She also leads traditional Cambodian dance classes at her home, and volunteers to help drive older Cambodians to temple so they can pray and connect with community.
“I use that trauma as a strength to help my community,” she said. “I use it to heal myself.”
Read the full article in People Magazine here.