Dreams to Reality
Before July 2004, Ge lived in the Wat Tham Krabok refugee settlement in Thailand. As it was for so many others, Ge’s life was difficult and opportunities were limited, especially for her as a Hmong refugee and as a woman. Despite the challenges, Ge was able to get a job and earn some extra money teaching young children. Meanwhile, she dreamed of a new life in the United States.
In July of 2004, Ge got her wish, but her new life was more difficult than she had ever imagined. Ge was a single mother with eight children, living in a new country and a new culture. She did not speak English, could not drive, and found that her work skills were not easily transferable. Ge says, “I felt worthless”.
Faced with all of these obstacles, Ge took action: she registered for English classes and public assistance at HAP. Along with financial and emotional struggles, Ge discovered one of her biggest barriers was lack of transportation. It was a real challenge to find appropriate and available employment without a car or driver’s license. Then, HAP told her about a program that would help pay for drivers’ education classes. With the help of her employment counselor, she applied for the program, completed the course, passed the test and earned her driver’s license! A Hmong woman driving her own car was just a dream back in Thailand, but had become a reality in America.
With her transportation problems solved, Ge was able to take advantage of other opportunities. She volunteered to help preserve the Science Museum of Minnesota’s collection of Hmong skirts. She got a job at an industrial laundry and now earns $11.25 per hour. And last but certainly not least, Ge helped paint an 8-foot mural that now hangs in HAP’s Job Club entitled, “Our Dream of Hmong Success in America: For Ourselves And For Our Children”.
HAP is proud to tell her story.