A Moment In Time

A Moment In Time

as summarized by:
Simon Vutha Ty
San Diego, CA

In early 1979, life for Mr. Saing Heng Prum and his family wasn’t easy. The treacherous civil war in Cambodia had forced his family and many others to abandon their hopes, dreams, possessions, and beloved homeland.

His family walked across heavily mined jungles along the border into Thailand. Their goal was to reach the refugee camp called Khao-I-Dang.

Like many Cambodians, Mr. Prum’s family entered the camp in search of a better life. He was hoping to resettle in the United States. At that time his family consisted of only his wife and one young son. In March 1980, the Prum family was accepted for resettlement in the United States. Before that journey could begin though, they stayed at a camp in the Philippines. There were mixed emotions when they heard they would be leaving the camp. It meant traveling further away from Cambodia but he knew the future was brighter on the other side.

In 1981, the Prum family arrived in Chicago, Illinois. One month later he attended DeVry Institute of Technology. After years of hard work, he graduated with an Associate Degree. He enrolled at ITT Technical Institute immediately after graduation where he completed his bachelor degree in Electronics. The Prum family now resides in Lakeside, a small town in the eastern part of San Diego county. The family has grown to five. The oldest son is now in college and the younger children will be graduating from high school soon. Both children plan to continue their education.

"Education plays an important role in life," says Mr. Prum, "Your success in the future depends on it." He continues to show his children the importance of education. Mr. Prum now owns and operates three electronic stores called "AAA Electronics." They are located in various areas throughout San Diego. He would like to share with us one of his poems called "Good-bye, my Country." It was written just before he left the refugee camp.

Works by Prum Saing:

Good-bye My Country

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