A few Saturdays ago, I visited the Amherst Historical Society. While it wasn’t my first visit, I especially wanted to see the Cambodians in Amherst exhibit because of my close connection to the exhibit content and one of its hosts, Mr. Sohken Mao, an educator and longstanding Cambodian community volunteer. I met Sokhen and his family when they arrived in America from war-torn Cambodia 35-plus years ago. Immanuel Lutheran Church, working closely with Lutheran Child & Family Services, was responsible for their resettlement.

The Cambodians in Amherst exhibit features an in-depth, challenging and emotional story on the history of Cambodian refugee immigrants in Amherst. Like many caring families in Amherst and beyond, my family welcomed an unaccompanied minor from Cambodia into ours in 1982. Our new sister arrived at Bradley International Airport with a few others like her, clutching tight her International Rescue Committee bag and sharing a shy smile. From that minute on, she was loved and cared for beyond measure and instantly became a part of our family.

While there were many challenges for my sister and others like her, they faced new struggles head-on. After all, they were survivors of the ruthless Khmer Rouge. My sister’s arrival from Cambodia came at a pivotal time in my life and instantly taught me that the world can be a place of immense sorrow, brutality and disgrace, but also beauty, solace and grace.

From the time of my sister’s arrival, I immediately got to work. I supported those resettling in the town, attending school, learning English, and assimilating to their host country. Each day, I looked forward to my volunteerism.

The Amherst Regional Public Schools did an exceptional job welcoming and navigating these new arrivals, providing them with the best culturally responsive teaching one could ask for. I was fortunate to complete my student teaching at Crocker Farm School in 1990, where many Cambodian children attended school.

As a student at the School of Education at UMass, I wrote my first book titled “All About Cambodia.” It was poignantly illustrated by a close friend who had escaped his country to Thailand from the murderous Khmer Rouge. This book travels with me to classrooms near and far and exposes and introduces students to what occurred in this innocent nation.

In the early resettlement years between 1982 and 1992, I sponsored a family and helped them learn to speak English. I taught them how to play board games, navigate medical appointments, and have fun and laugh again beneath their pain. In due time, I learned to speak basic Khmer, cook their traditional dishes, learn their traditional dances, partake in Cambodian New Year celebrations, purchase property at the Peace Pagoda in Leverett, and make friends for life.

As my work as an international educator took me to Southeast Asia, I needed to travel to Cambodia to immerse myself in the history and recovery of this once-peaceful land. It was essential to spend time in a country that needed support to rebuild after years of torture, destruction, and death.

Since my first visit in 1994, I have traveled numerous times, including a family trip where my two sons met with their aunt’s family, whom she reunited with after 20 years of not knowing if any of her family members had survived.

The first unaccompanied minors and families to resettle in Amherst and neighboring towns, now along with second and third generations, are proud to give back. They appreciate the schools and colleges they can attend, and many have become involved in politics. They proudly share the love of their land and culture through song, dance, and poetry. These individuals do it all with gratitude to their sponsors and beyond despite experiencing many trials and tribulations. From my involvements and reunions over the years with those I am fortunate to know and have taught, their involvement in my life is a blessing.

Visiting the Cambodian exhibit at the Amherst Historical Society allows you to imagine yourself in the shoes of those who have endured a challenging path of survival and triumph. One of the most important things I have learned from my proud relationship with the Cambodian community is to practice gratitude and honor freedom.

Nancy Craker-Yahman lives in Hadley.