Two years passed, it was 1987, and Tam finally received information regarding an interview with a refugee organization in Saigon. Tam, with her 3 children, fled to Saigon for the interview. She was asked “Why do you want to go to America?,” and she had three specific answers: for a chance at a better life, freedom, and education for her children. After the interview, Tam stayed in Saigon for four months at a rental apartment. After four long months, Tam and her family was finally listed to go to America. Their journey to America wasn’t a direct journey with ease, in fact, it was harsh and and painful. Tam and her family was required to go to Batang, Philippines, where she and her family stayed in a village with other refugees. The purpose of going to the Philippines as part of the journey to America was to educate all the refugees on the english language. These refugees villages were in the worst living conditions possible, there was a significant amount of triads, murders, rapes, and kidnappings daily. Minimal food was provided by the government to the families who were given 3 meals to share between each family, large or small. Luckily, after eight months, a church group from Springfield, Ma sponsored Tam and her family to America. September 6, 1989, a plane ticket was provided, and Tam and her family fled to Springfield where they were given a temporary apartment to stay. While in Springfield, Dung Le, started education at Putnam High School, her brother Mai Thi Dung started elementary school at Middlebrook School, and her sister Mai Thi Hieu started school at Chestnut Middle School. Dung Le spent her early life in Springfield and eventually married my father, Cuong Le, on October 7, 1992. Dung Le now works in Westfield, Ma at her own nail salon as a nail technician. April 20, 1996, my only
Two years passed, it was 1987, and Tam finally received information regarding an interview with a refugee organization in Saigon. Tam, with her 3 children, fled to Saigon for the interview. She was asked “Why do you want to go to America?,” and she had three specific answers: for a chance at a better life, freedom, and education for her children. After the interview, Tam stayed in Saigon for four months at a rental apartment. After four long months, Tam and her family was finally listed to go to America. Their journey to America wasn’t a direct journey with ease, in fact, it was harsh and and painful. Tam and her family was required to go to Batang, Philippines, where she and her family stayed in a village with other refugees. The purpose of going to the Philippines as part of the journey to America was to educate all the refugees on the english language. These refugees villages were in the worst living conditions possible, there was a significant amount of triads, murders, rapes, and kidnappings daily. Minimal food was provided by the government to the families who were given 3 meals to share between each family, large or small. Luckily, after eight months, a church group from Springfield, Ma sponsored Tam and her family to America. September 6, 1989, a plane ticket was provided, and Tam and her family fled to Springfield where they were given a temporary apartment to stay. While in Springfield, Dung Le, started education at Putnam High School, her brother Mai Thi Dung started elementary school at Middlebrook School, and her sister Mai Thi Hieu started school at Chestnut Middle School. Dung Le spent her early life in Springfield and eventually married my father, Cuong Le, on October 7, 1992. Dung Le now works in Westfield, Ma at her own nail salon as a nail technician. April 20, 1996, my only