The Cambodian Association of America was the sole organization in Long Beach to offer an English as a Second Language program that allowed parents to bring their children to class. In this photo, Mr. Tol Lors instructs a group primarily composed of women, many of whom have babies with them.
In 1977, community leaders branched off from the first Cambodian mutual assistance association, The Cambodian Association of America (CAA), to create a second social service organization in Long Beach, The United Cambodian Community (UCC). In this photo, San Thi Tran (right) is pictured in front of the first location of the UCC, alongside another woman who was actively engaged in projects aimed at supporting the growing refugee community.
New Year celebration in Long Beach, CA. It is customary to build a quincunx of sand hills for the New Year, with a large center hill and four smaller hills at the four corners. The hills are decorated with flowers and flags. People light incense and candles while praying that the new year will bring good luck and good health. They place the lit items in the sand.
New Year celebration in Long Beach, CA. Pictured is a Trot dance troupe. They reenact the story of a young hunter who kills a golden deer that is so beautiful he decides to take it to the King who rewards the hunter by making him chief of a village.
New Year celebration in Long Beach, CA. A large tent has been set up for monks who have gathered from different area temples. The table is set with food offerings brought by attendees. The monks bless the food which brings merit to those who brought it and their ancestors.
Cambodian New Year celebrations in Long Beach include performances of traditional dance and music. This man is dressed to perform with the Chhayam troupe. Chhayam is a lively call and response dance using primarily percussion instruments.
