Legacies of War

27/07/2026

Meet Legacies Advocacy Ambassador Elaigha Vilaysane!

Elaigha is a first-generation student who holds a B.A. in Chinese Language and Literature and Art History from George Washington University and a master’s degree in the History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia from SOAS, University of London. She currently works as a Program Assistant on the International Educational Outreach Team at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and is passionate about preserving and educating others about difficult histories.

Elaigha’s grandparents and father immigrated to the United States from Laos in the late 1970s, when her father was only a few years old. For much of her life, she understood their immigration primarily as a search for greater opportunity. After discovering Legacies of War through the Lao Food Movement, however, she began learning more about the difficult history behind her family’s departure from Laos.

Through her work as an Advocacy Ambassador, Elaigha has deepened her connection to Lao culture, gained a broader understanding of her family’s history, and found a new way to honor their experiences through education and advocacy.

The Legacies Advocacy Ambassador Program (LAAP!) equips passionate individuals to become grassroots leaders in the fight to end the legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Our Ambassadors are storytellers, educators, organizers, and bridge-builders — amplifying the voices of those affected by war and advocating for lasting peace through U.S. policy change!

Thank YOU for your continued support that funds our Advocacy Ambassador program!

24/07/2026

Art is one of humanity’s oldest and most enduring forms of expression. It gives shape to our beliefs, preserves our stories, and challenges us to see the world through new perspectives. Beyond its beauty, art possesses the power to inspire change, giving voice to those who have been unheard, questioning injustice, and encouraging dialogue that reaches beyond words.

Art has the remarkable ability to evoke emotion—to comfort, provoke, heal, and connect us. A single work can inspire reflection or motivate others to create in their own way, using any medium to express what matters most to them. Its importance lies not only in what it is, but in what it inspires: empathy and the courage to imagine a better world.

We are honored to have two experts, our dear friends, join us today on our LEGACIES podcast: Kofi Bazzell-Smith, a professor of the practice of manga at Rochester Institute of Technology, and Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, a visual artist and founding member of Ground Shift Studio.

Kofi and Chelsea, along with our very own, KOUL-Mander in Chief, Sera Koulabdara, are 2025-26 Delegates of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program. We wish you all a wonderful gathering in Palo Alto, California next week!

Also, a huge thank you to Nicole Capaldo, our Rockstar Advocacy Ambassador, for hosting this special episode.

Please listen and share on Spotify or wherever you get your podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f3W9K1ldB7fGSCXFLhbHn?si=v6M1edXmRf-2qdXPOrCStQ

Check out Chelsea’s website: https://www.iamchelsea.com/ Chelsea Ritter-Soronen

Check out Kofi’s website: https://www.kofimanga.com/ Kofi Bazzell-Smith

United States-Japan Foundation

23/07/2026

For Cambodia’s tourism industry, Angelina Jolie’s monumental visit earlier this Spring, served as a perfect opportunity to demonstrate, on a global stage, all that Cambodia has to offer. Jolie engages in humanitarian efforts and demonstrates a strong commitment to this beautiful country.

We encourage you to visit Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam as you plan your future vacations and explore the wonders of SE Asia!

Read the full article here: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501876186/angelina-jolie-visit-puts-cambodia-in-a-good-light/

16/07/2026

11/07/2026

In times of war, it is far easier to dehumanize and not question one’s actions, than to speak with and seek reconciliation with those who have been deemed your enemy.

Our friend, Luca Steinmann, a prominent Italian-Swiss journalist, reporter, and author, has witnessed these human behaviors as an on-the-ground reporter covering stories in dangerous conflict zones all over the world.

Most recently, he was one of the very few journalists to cover Russia’s war on Ukraine in the Russian occupied parts of Ukraine. His new book ,”The Russian Front”, documents his experiences will soon be published in English. We invite you to listen to this special episode and get to know Luca’s story, his insights as a journalist, and expand your knowledge on geopolitics and the realities of conflicts on the frontlines.

A very special thank you to our Advocacy Ambassador, Justina Poskeviciute, for being our Rockstar Host for this episode, allowing for a thoughtful and provocative discussion.

Please share on Spotify or wherever you get your podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7z8LP4p9H9kjDKuykuE7nA?si=VZpS5OoGQ7y1uByWIKwruQ

Follow Luca’s work: Luca Steinmann

06/07/2026

PICTURE THIS: It’s 1973 and the last U.S. bombs have just fallen on Laos. For the first time in nine years, the sky is quiet. It’s time to rebuild and replant, but it isn’t going to be easy. Not only are villages destroyed, but there are also millions of unexploded bombs in the land. With no outside help, farmers and families begin to clear bombs, one by one.

Then, in 1975, the first country directors from the Mennonite Central Committee arrived. What they witnessed laid the foundation for international support to address the UXO issue in Laos.

On July 15th, join Legacies for a virtual storytelling event as we honor a legacy of peacebuilding. We will hear stories about what 20 years of post-war partnership looked like and the experiences of a new generation who are carrying on their legacy, with Opening Remarks from MCC Country Director, Laos, Catherine Sobrevega .

This event celebrates the long, patient work of partnership. Donations will help fund our Titus and Linda Peachey Peace Fellowship!

Wednesday, July 15, 5pm PT/6pm MT/7pm CT/8pm ET

REGISTER TODAY https://legaciesofwar.funraise.org/page/loving-laos-a-legacy-of-peacebuilding

Registered participants will receive a Zoom link and further details.

02/07/2026

At the end of 2025, we were fundraising just to keep the lights on. You showed up, and you kept this work moving forward. With only 1.5 staff due to limited funding, we are more committed to this work than ever before. So far this year we’ve launched our Legacies Library Book Club, Advocacy Trainings, and hosted a virtual event nearly every month.

It has been life-giving to invest in preserving our history, to share our survivor-led approach to advocacy, and invite more Americans into government spaces to share their stories!

When you give to Legacies of War, you’re standing behind independent reporting of our shared history that must be remembered and kept alive. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, show your support by donating $25 today and join us in this work!