Keeping my culture alive
By Tyger Williams
Tyger Williams
Philadelphia, Pa.
STORY SUMMARY
_______________________________________
Ayana Chhouen has been taking care of others since she was 10 years old. As the first English language speaker in her immigrant Cambodian family, she regularly translated for her parents and worked in her aunt’s nail salon. Today, Ayana still spends her time helping her community as a case manager for the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia Family Support Services. She fills out applications for family passports, medical documents, doctor appointments, and finds low-income program opportunities.
“Being that person for them, that shoulder and backbone for them to always be able to come to us for any needs,” Ayana said.
Ayana and her husband, Steven Sam, live in North Philadelphia, Pa., away from the heart of Philadelphia’s Cambodian community in South Philadelphia with its population of about 11,000 Cambodians.
“Knowing where you’re from is important,” Ayana said. “Keeping your culture alive, that’s really what it’s about.”
Ayana Chhouen helps a client apply for her childrens' passports at the Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple in South Philadelphia, Pa., which provides her with an unofficial office space to help members of the community.
Ayana Chhouen walks along the streets of South Philadelphia where majority of the cities Southeast Asian community lives.
Ayana Chhouen arrives with her cousin-in-law, Sokphannia Sam, 8, at her in-laws’ house to tutor him in English after his school lets out. Sam’s parents do not speak or read English.
Ayana Chhouen gets ready at home before heading to the temple for the first day of Pchum Ben, a day when many Cambodians pay their respects to deceased relatives.
Ayana Chhouen follows along with Buddhist chants during a temple blessing for the second day of Pchum Ben at the Watt Palelai Temple in Southwest Philadelphia. Chhouen is there to pay respects to her husband’s grandmother who passed away in August 2015.
Urns of deceased family members are displayed on shelves inside Watt Palelai Temple during the Pchum Ben religious festival in Southwest Philadelphia, Pa.
Ayana Chhouen is greeted by grandma Yim Phal, left, and Hong Chheng, center, caretaker for the temple and monks, at the Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple in South Philadelphia before the start of the first day of Pchum Ben.
Ayana Chhouen leaves the Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple after meeting with clients during her work hours.
Ayana Chhouen gives a gift card to Loeurm Im for participating in Cambodian Association’s BeHeard BeHealthy Workshop, where community members can show up to have their voices heard by the city of Philadelphia.
Ayana Chhouen commutes by bus to South Philadelphia to work and help clients at the Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple.
Ayana Chhouen and her husband, Steven Sam relax before heading to work. The two have been together for six years and married for three years.
Ayana Chhouen lights three incense sticks at a Buddhist altar, asking for protection and forgiveness, while also wishing everyone good health, wealth and happiness inside her home in North Philadelphia.