Video Clips

"The accordion saved my life!..."

Daran was born in 1954 in Pursat Province, Cambodia. He lost his parents and seven siblings to the Khmer Rouge. He arrived as a refugee in America in 1988. Daran has worked for the State of Washington since 1997. He is currently a social worker with the Department of Social and Health Services.

B.A. in Human Services, Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, 1996

He has also attended various conferences and training workshops on social work, youth development, conflict resolution and advocacy.

Human Rights Commissioner, City of Tacoma 1999-2002

Citizenship Teacher, 1995-2005

Recreation Supervisor with the International Rescue Committee in the Khao I Dang refugee camp.

Section Leader, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Thailand

President of the Khmer Anti-Poverty Party 2007 to present

President of the Cambodian Council of Salishan 1993-1999

Board Member, Salishan Alliance for Community Services

President of the Board for the Cambodian Students Association

Board Member, Cambodian Women’s Association

Daran has been a presenter at several conferences in the U.S. and in Cambodia.

Student of the Year, Tacoma Community College, 1992

Subject of the book, Music Through the Dark, University of Hawaii Press, 2000

Citizen Recognition Award, City of Tacoma 1997

Subject of National Public Radio piece, 2005

Subject of Public Television Piece, 2006

Excellence in Arts Education Award, Tacoma School District 1994

After the Khmer Rouge, Daran adopted 37 orphans. Daran has two grown sons, Kiry and Chunneath. He lives in Tacoma, Washington with his wife Bree Lafreniere Kravanh. He enjoys gardening and playing the accordion.