Allison McIllece served a missionary for the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Phnom Penh, Cambodia Mission from Dec 2016 – June 2018.
“After coming home from my mission, I was eager to stay involved in preserving the Cambodian culture and language. I was so excited to hear about the Oral History Foundation and the steps they were taking forward to bring life and love to the world from my favorite people. Every time I read the words of the interviews that my friends and I are translating, I feel such a strong connection to these people and their stories. I feel the Love that our Heavenly Father has for his children. I feel so honored to think that I will have the opportunity to help preserve such an important part of history, and help build lasting relationships in Cambodia, as an intern for this upcoming winter semester. I am thankful that the words of such a strong generation of Cambodian survivors will not go unheard. The elderly have such wisdom and such love to share with all of us. Their stories are so rich with struggle and emotion. They help us to more fully appreciate and understand the meaning of life here on earth. I am filled with happiness to know that these stories will live on to help teach and protect the rising generation of Cambodia. We can do so much, if we work together to build bridges of open communication and tear down barriers of doubt. I love Cambodia; and I know, you will too!”