A rich database. Thousands searching

It's all about making connections and meeting the right people at the right moment. This inspiring project brings together remarkable individuals with shared experiences and a common goal.

Professor Anthony Tessandori, an anthropologist at Bellevue College in Seattle, was one of just 300 babies out of 3,000 evacuated during Operation Babylift. He was on the last plane chartered by World Vision, a pivotal moment in his life story.

Driven by the desire to find her missing sister, Meakara Mendez created the "Missing People of the Khmer Rouge Regime" Facebook group. In just four years, the group has grown to over 10,000 members and facilitated numerous successful reunions.

Invited to join Reconnecting Cambodia’s DNA community event in Long Beach Meakara met Li-Da Kruger, its founder. Professor Tessandori had come specifically to meet fellow adoptee Li-Da also searching for her birth family. The event, which highlighted the urgent need to help families reunite before it's too late, sparked a unanimous decision to collaborate.

While the specifics of their joint venture are still taking shape, one thing is clear: they intend to leverage the "Missing People of the Khmer Rouge Regime" Facebook page as a powerful tool for reuniting families and supporting the Cambodian diaspora.

This exciting project promises to bring hope and healing to countless individuals affected by historical events, demonstrating the power of connection in our digital age.