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Vietnam War is Over
The Vietnam War was the reason for all of the Hmong's to leave from Laos. They were not wanted and would be killed if they stayed in Laos. Many decided to try and leave to a safe camp called Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. -
Parents Meet Each Other
Kalia's parents met in the Jungle. Both of their families were trying escape the after effects of the war. They met in 1978 and got married in the jungle shortly after they met. -
Cross the Mekong River
The dad tied everyone together and they struggled to cross the raging river. They made it over safely and into freedom. One of the dad's brothers was caught by a machine gunner boat. He survived and ended up finding the family again. -
Family arrives at Ban Vinai camp.
Ban Vinai camp was the largest refugee camp in Thailand and could house over 45,000 people at a time. The Yang family arrived shortly after crossing over the dangerous Mekong River. Ban Vinai was the place where Kalia would be born and grow up in. -
Kalia is Born
Kalia was born in Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. The actual day that she was born is not known. She was the second daughter in her family and this story is written from her point of view. -
Family went to Phanat Nikhom Camp
This camp was a transition camp. The purpose of a transition camp was to get the people ready for life in America. The family had to get shots and medicine so that they would be healthy when they showed up in Americ. The family only stayed in this camp for six months. -
Leave for America
When they left for America, they had to say goodbye to the grandma. This was a big moment for the family because the Grandma had always been the leader of the family and the family would need to adjust to a new style of life without grandma. -
The Family Arrives in Minnesota
The family finally showed up in Minnesota. It was a very big deal and everyone was nervous and exited to see what the new world had in store for them. They were unaware of how they were going to survive in the new world but they were exited to start a better life for their family. -
Dad and girls got stuck in a snowstorm
While their mom was sick at home, the rest of the family went over to their uncles house to watch a wrestling match. On the way home, a blizzard hit and they had to find their way home in the freezing cold. It was the families first real experience of a harsh Minnesota winter. -
Grandma visits in Minnesota
This was a very exiting occasion for all of the family in Minnesota. Kalia had been writing letters to her grandma for a while and she missed her a lot. They met her in the airport and she was in a wheelchair. She ended up spending the entire summer with them in Minnesota.
