Jewelry Pouna Keodara
Advocacy Ambassador, Titus and Linda Peachey Peace Fellow, Mine Action Fellow (MAC)
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"Over the course of two weeks, I had the remarkable opportunity to travel with Legacies of War to Laos and Vietnam. During this time, we explored schools, communities, and historical sites, witnessing firsthand the lasting impact of war on people who had no choice in its consequences. Being Lao, I carried with me both my family’s experiences and the shared history of my community; being American, I also carried the awareness of a history in which the country I now call home played a part. This journey deepened my understanding that peace is not abstract, but is built through courage, care, and persistent action, and it reinforced my commitment to advocating for safety, healing, and opportunity for those whose voices are too often overlooked."
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My Story
Jewelry Pouna Keodara is a Lao American from Urbana, IL, and holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Through her work with the UIUC Asian American Cultural Center and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, she is committed to advocating for AAPI communities. As an Advocacy Ambassador with Legacies of War, she hopes to uplift those affected by the war in Laos—whose stories mirror those of her loved ones and community—amplifying voices too often left in the shadows and honoring the war’s enduring legacy.
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