In March, Cambodia banned entry of foreigners from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and United States to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our new Connecting Peoples Coordinator, Clivia, was in Pennsylvania for orientation and flew to Cambodia arriving just six hours before the travel ban went into effect.

Clivia is a fourth generation Mennonite from Honduras. She is an alumni of MCC’s IVEP program who served for a year at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Her academic background is in Chemistry but she’s had work experience in management, a law office, and analyzing soil samples.

I think you get a sense for Clivia’s strength of character in the fact that she’s here. She could have backed out for good reasons on many occasions leading up to that last minute flight arriving just before the travel ban. She’s continued to impress us with her integrity, courage, and intelligence. All the while speaking to us in her second language while learning Khmer and how to get around in a new culture.

As Connecting Peoples Coordinator, Clivia will oversee the YAMEN and SALT exchange programs – including coordination with local partners for placements – as well organizing learning tours and hosting groups.