For Kimlong Ly, a Cambodian student and independent writer, the Isle of Dogs has become much more than just a place to live. What began as a new home during his studies in the United Kingdom has gradually developed into a place filled with personal memories, meaningful experiences and a growing sense of belonging.
Leaving Cambodia
Moving from Cambodia to the UK meant leaving behind his family, familiar surroundings and the comforts of the country he had always called home. Like many international students, Kimlong had to adjust to a different culture, lifestyle and environment. However, over time, the Isle of Dogs became an important part of his life, offering him a sense of familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar country.
One of the most memorable moments for Kimlong was his first arrival on the Isle of Dogs. It marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would eventually shape his experience of living in London. Since then, the area has become closely connected to some of his most meaningful personal memories. Among them is his first-ever date with his partner, which took place near Inner Millwall Dock, an area that now holds a special place in his heart.
A Place Called Home
Reflecting on his connection to the area, Kimlong describes the Isle of Dogs as somewhere that has gradually become home to him. As he puts it:
The Isle of Dogs is no longer just the place where I live. It is the place where I have built memories, found love and started to feel at home, even though my home country is thousands of miles away.
The Pamphlet
These personal experiences have inspired his latest project, a small personal pamphlet titled Inner Millwall Dock: Notes from the Waterside. Focusing particularly on Inner Millwall Dock and its immediate surrounding area, the pamphlet explores the relationship between an individual and the place they inhabit. Rather than presenting the Isle of Dogs simply as a geographical location, Kimlong hopes to capture the atmosphere, memories and everyday experiences that have made this particular part of London meaningful to him.
For local residents, the project offers a different way of looking at a familiar neighbourhood. Places that people walk past every day can hold very different meanings for different individuals. A dockside walkway, a familiar street or a quiet corner of the neighbourhood might seem ordinary to one person, but could represent an important milestone or treasured memory to another.
Through his writing, Kimlong hopes to share this personal perspective on belonging, migration and the meaning of home. His story also reflects the experiences of many people who move to London from different parts of the world and gradually develop connections with the communities and neighbourhoods around them.
When It Will Be Available
The writing is currently planned for publication in the last week of November 2026. Further details about where the pamphlet will be available to read or purchase are yet to be announced.
For Kimlong, the project is ultimately a way of preserving a chapter of his life. Although Cambodia will always be the country he comes from, the Isle of Dogs has become a place that will remain part of his personal story. After all, one does not always have to be born somewhere to develop a meaningful connection to it. Sometimes, home is simply the place where life happens, memories are made and love is found.