Cambodian refugee Phy Sem (54) shares a laugh with her friend and sponsor, Shirley Hudson, as they look though a journal compiled to help the Sem family when they arrived in New Zealand almost 25 years ago. Photo by Linda Robertson.05/07/2008
By Hamish McNeilly
Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
After losing their stall in the Octagon, Cambodian refugees Song and Phy Sem have left Dunedin, bringing to a close another chapter in the lives of a couple who have survived much worse. Hamish McNeilly reports.
It is nearly 25 years since the Sem family arrived in Dunedin with just the clothes on their backs, a small box containing some food, and a Khmer Bible.
Dunedin woman Shirley Hudson was at Dunedin Airport at 10.50am on November 28, 1983 along with fellow members of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church resettlement committee who sponsored the Sem family.
"It was a wonderful experience when they arrived - it was a life-changing experience for all involved," Mrs Hudson said.
While she knew only how to say "hello" in Khmer, and the Sems knew no English, that first meeting began a friendship that spanned almost 25 years.
Along with other parishes that sponsored Cambodian refugee families, the Roslyn Presbyterian Church resettlement committee had set up a house for the family - parents Song and Phy (pronounced Pee) and children Sophath, Sophear and Sopheak - full of donated appliances and food.
Phy said she could not believe the size of New Zealand houses. "So big, I could not believe."
Not long after the birth of their youngest daughter Rottana, the family relocated to a home in Belleknowes, where they stayed for almost five years.
Mrs Hudson said the first 18 months were very difficult for them, because of the differences in culture and the language barrier.
"They arrived in the country in a state of distress, and it took a while for them to put some of those harrowing memories behind them."
The committee rang around manufacturers to find work for Song, who was keen to provide for his young family.
"We found a job for him at Rappards, who made spinning wheels at their place in Signal Hill. He amazed everyone by walking from his home in Belleknowes to work every day, no matter the weather."
After several years, the family had enough money to move into their own home, and Song worked in the now closed Methven factory.
Several hundred Cambodian refugee families came to Dunedin in the early 1980s. Phy said they were attracted by the growing Cambodian community, friendly locals, good jobs and affordable housing.
"Now, only about seven families left," Phy said.
Once they obtained citizenship, many families were lured across the Tasman by better-paying jobs and a more forgiving climate, she said.
"Dunedin has been good to us; we not go overseas, we stay here."
The Sem family obtained their citizenship on July 16, 1990, "a very happy day", she said, enabling them to feel part of the country and giving them the ability to travel to Cambodia.
Returning on a visit in 1994, Phy found her mother and father in an emotional reunion.
With the countryside still deemed too dangerous for her to travel around, Phy spent only one day with her family in Phnom Penh, the first time she had seen them for more than 20 years.
"I was sad and happy."
Phy visited her family again in 2005 and hopes to return later this year to care for her 70-year-old mother, who is going blind.
"Cambodia is now better place," she said. "I miss my mum, I miss my dad."
Mrs Hudson said that to help ease the Sem family into New Zealand, they were welcomed into her family's life. Trips to the family crib, and introducing them to birthdays and Christmas were among the many highlights.
"The children had never had a birthday party before, and one of my favourite memories is celebrating their birthdays with presents and cakes and seeing their eyes light up with pleasure."
While many of their fellow refugees were leaving the city, the Sems identified an opportunity to employ some traditional skills by opening the Khmer Satay-Away stall in the Octagon.
After more than 10 years, they were forced to close, when the Dunedin City Council terminated their contract earlier this year.
"I very upset," Phy said.
The decision forced Phy and Song to review their future, and Song left for Melbourne several weeks ago to pick fruit.
Although reluctant to leave Dunedin and their grandchildren, Phy said they had decided to make the move so they could return to Cambodia later this year.
With tears welling in her eyes, she said the family would also be celebrating a special occasion - the marriage of Sopheak to her Dunedin partner, Tim Sinclair, at her parents' village early next year.
"We proud of her."
Phy has now joined her husband in Melbourne before a possible permanent move back to Cambodia later this year.
"I will miss Dunedin, I will miss the Octagon - it's my home, too, and I miss my sponsor, Shirley."
But it won't be too long before the friends are reunited, as Shirley is invited to the wedding early next year.
"Everything has come full circle. Now I will be going to Cambodia to a new culture and she will be helping me," Mrs Hudson said.
On Monday, Mrs Hudson said goodbye to Phy as she left to join Song in Melbourne.
"It was sad to see her go," Mrs Hudson said.
It is nearly 25 years since the Sem family arrived in Dunedin with just the clothes on their backs, a small box containing some food, and a Khmer Bible.
Dunedin woman Shirley Hudson was at Dunedin Airport at 10.50am on November 28, 1983 along with fellow members of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church resettlement committee who sponsored the Sem family.
"It was a wonderful experience when they arrived - it was a life-changing experience for all involved," Mrs Hudson said.
While she knew only how to say "hello" in Khmer, and the Sems knew no English, that first meeting began a friendship that spanned almost 25 years.
Along with other parishes that sponsored Cambodian refugee families, the Roslyn Presbyterian Church resettlement committee had set up a house for the family - parents Song and Phy (pronounced Pee) and children Sophath, Sophear and Sopheak - full of donated appliances and food.
Phy said she could not believe the size of New Zealand houses. "So big, I could not believe."
Not long after the birth of their youngest daughter Rottana, the family relocated to a home in Belleknowes, where they stayed for almost five years.
Mrs Hudson said the first 18 months were very difficult for them, because of the differences in culture and the language barrier.
"They arrived in the country in a state of distress, and it took a while for them to put some of those harrowing memories behind them."
The committee rang around manufacturers to find work for Song, who was keen to provide for his young family.
"We found a job for him at Rappards, who made spinning wheels at their place in Signal Hill. He amazed everyone by walking from his home in Belleknowes to work every day, no matter the weather."
After several years, the family had enough money to move into their own home, and Song worked in the now closed Methven factory.
Several hundred Cambodian refugee families came to Dunedin in the early 1980s. Phy said they were attracted by the growing Cambodian community, friendly locals, good jobs and affordable housing.
"Now, only about seven families left," Phy said.
Once they obtained citizenship, many families were lured across the Tasman by better-paying jobs and a more forgiving climate, she said.
"Dunedin has been good to us; we not go overseas, we stay here."
The Sem family obtained their citizenship on July 16, 1990, "a very happy day", she said, enabling them to feel part of the country and giving them the ability to travel to Cambodia.
Returning on a visit in 1994, Phy found her mother and father in an emotional reunion.
With the countryside still deemed too dangerous for her to travel around, Phy spent only one day with her family in Phnom Penh, the first time she had seen them for more than 20 years.
"I was sad and happy."
Phy visited her family again in 2005 and hopes to return later this year to care for her 70-year-old mother, who is going blind.
"Cambodia is now better place," she said. "I miss my mum, I miss my dad."
Mrs Hudson said that to help ease the Sem family into New Zealand, they were welcomed into her family's life. Trips to the family crib, and introducing them to birthdays and Christmas were among the many highlights.
"The children had never had a birthday party before, and one of my favourite memories is celebrating their birthdays with presents and cakes and seeing their eyes light up with pleasure."
While many of their fellow refugees were leaving the city, the Sems identified an opportunity to employ some traditional skills by opening the Khmer Satay-Away stall in the Octagon.
After more than 10 years, they were forced to close, when the Dunedin City Council terminated their contract earlier this year.
"I very upset," Phy said.
The decision forced Phy and Song to review their future, and Song left for Melbourne several weeks ago to pick fruit.
Although reluctant to leave Dunedin and their grandchildren, Phy said they had decided to make the move so they could return to Cambodia later this year.
With tears welling in her eyes, she said the family would also be celebrating a special occasion - the marriage of Sopheak to her Dunedin partner, Tim Sinclair, at her parents' village early next year.
"We proud of her."
Phy has now joined her husband in Melbourne before a possible permanent move back to Cambodia later this year.
"I will miss Dunedin, I will miss the Octagon - it's my home, too, and I miss my sponsor, Shirley."
But it won't be too long before the friends are reunited, as Shirley is invited to the wedding early next year.
"Everything has come full circle. Now I will be going to Cambodia to a new culture and she will be helping me," Mrs Hudson said.
On Monday, Mrs Hudson said goodbye to Phy as she left to join Song in Melbourne.
"It was sad to see her go," Mrs Hudson said.
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