LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM

TIME TO GO OR TIME TO STAY

• Many families were waiting to finally go to America
• Some families were separated to go to America

REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

• Refugees must leave their home country
• Immigrants choose to leave

MAKING DECISIONS

• Hmong people had to make decisions (to leave or to stay)
• Some people stayed in Laos/Thailand, most people left

LEAVING THE CAMPS

• Most people wanted to leave Thailand, but not to return to Laos
• Some traveled to Australia, France, and other countries. Most came to U.S.

AN UNKOWN LAND

• Thousands of Hmong refugees entered the U.S. In 1970's
• Before coming, many of them spent several months at Phanat Nikhom. ( Special Camp )

CULTURE SHOCK

• Many Hmong had never ridden in a car
• Soon, many Hmong families ended up on welfare

THE YOUNG HMONG ADAPT

• By the early 1980's, many Americans had learned about the Hmong
• Groups of Americans reached out to the Hmong refugees

THE OLDER HMONG STRUGGLE

• Many of the Hmong who came to the U.S. Had been born in the jungle or camps
• For many older Hmong, living in the U.S. was difficult

NEW ROLES

• For many older Hmong, living in the U.S. was difficult
• In their homeland, they took care of their families

LOST IN AMERICA?

• Today, many Hmong have adapted well
• These elders no longer have a strong role in their own culture