============================================================== To reach ALL SJD members, please send to sjd@satjadham.net ... Do NOT include any other addresses when sending to the list... Include as LITTLE of the original messages as possible........ Message sent by: Amphephone Phettaphong *** Announcement: *** Please register for SatJaDham Fifth Annual conference at the website http://www.satjadham.org/sjd5sd/ ============================================================== Good morning folks, Waking up this morning with beautiful sunshine but quiet chilly out there. Whew! What a week huh! Many mails coming through SJD's forum. Like Deon said, its good to hear from many familiar voices. I mean by from the back of Deon head. Hehehe... Just kidding bro. Anyway, here is "The Refugee Part II" They again divided into 2 groups with the 2 youngest guys staying home (in case the sponsor came). He and the other 5 headed to an intersection (about a quarter of a mile away) with a paid phone and he did exactly what he had been taught (phone used to be a luxury in Laos and he had just learned to use it in the camp through books). Anyway, the sign asked for 15 cents but he only had 2 dimes and 3 pennies. He hesitated a little before he deposited 2 dimes and dialed. There was a lady voice on the other end after about 5 rings. "May I speak to Phanh", he said. "Well, he no longer lives here but I can give you his new number", said the lady. She then read him a number and hung up before he could say anything else. It was late that night and the lady might not want to talk much with a stranger. As a result, he only had 3 pennies left and a number, which was useless at the time (he did not know how to make a collect call). They all walked back home in disappointment. It was a better day the next morning and they all got up early (because of hunger). However, none moved around much. He suggested that they should throw the trash away to get rid of the smell but he just drew Tuy's interest. And, they both used beer cases as (trash) containers and had to walk back and forth 3 times to get rid of all the trash. There were footsteps behind them on the last trip back but neither (of them) cared to take a look. And, a Laotian voice was heard (from behind). "My name is Suong. Are you two among those who came the other night?" "Yes…", Tuy said while turning around. "Where do you guys live and where are the other Six?" "We live in the building at the end of the street and the others are there", Tuy replied. The Three then walked home and were greeted (by others) at the (building) door (the Six mis-recognized Suong as their sponsor). Suong walked around the apartment and praised them about knowing where to shop, how to turn the heat on ... At last, he asked in a faithful voice "Well, how do you guys like the USA so far? Still have any money left?" "No, just 3 pennies", Si said. "Why? Phonxay gave you some, didn't he?" "Oh, yeah! But we spent them all", Tuy replied. "On what did you all spend? Guy stuff", Suong mocked with a smile. He hadn't said a word and knew that Suong might have misunderstood them spending money on unnecessary things and jumped right in to clear it out. "We all had only 160 dollars which we spent on food and cooking stuffs". "I thought you guys got 200 dollars each", Suong said. "No, just 20 each", Si insisted. And, they all raised hell and talked at the same time. He then asked if Suong was able to help them locate the sponsor. "Well, Tu had just moved before you guys came and I, myself, don't know where Tu lives. However, we have some other Viet people who may know where his new house is. We'll have lunch together at my apartment and we look for him in the afternoon", said Suong. Suong's apartment had 2 bedrooms like theirs with Suong and Phat in one room and a couple in the other. And, while they prepared lunch and ate together, he found out something new about those with whom he lived and his sponsor. Tuy liked everything clean, neat and in well order. Lai and Phu was a good cook. Si, Meo and Sukhan liked to drink and Sone was a gambler. He also heard that his sponsor, Phonexay, had just got married with the only Laotian girl in that area and usually played cards in another Laotian house 3 blocks away. At 3:00 PM, Suong led them to the house in which Laotian people (in the area) often gathered to play cards (on weekends or days off). There were about 10 people there but his sponsor was not one of them. "Phonexay came to the gambling after he left their apartment and lost a lot of money that night and had not been back since", they were told. And, none knew Phonexay's new house. They went back to Suong's apartment at 7:00 PM and they again prepared dinner together. Even though Suong promised (during the meal) that Suong would lead them to somewhere to apply for assistance tomorrow, he still worried because Suong admitted that Suong had very little English (he had just come less than a year) and did not know the proper procedure to apply. He decided to call his friend and asked to use the phone right after the meal. There was a little girl's voice at the other end and he asked to speak with his friend Phanh. They then talked for half an hour. Phanh was surprised he had made it to the US and only lived about an hour (drive) away even though they were in different States. He was told to borrow money from someone to buy food for the next 2 days and Phanh would pay it back on that weekend when he came over (Phanh was attending in an University and was in the final week with a lot of tests to take). And, before they hung up, Phanh promised to find him another sponsor. Still, he wanted to go with the others to see if he was able to get help the next morning and they were all ready at 9AM. They wore everything they had and even though they did not have much on, they believed they could make it to somewhere. And before they headed out (of the apartment), they all understood that they had to walk through a wood to cut the distance in half to about 3 and half miles and there was no place to hide (in between), according to Suong. Although it wasn't snowing that morning, high wind was even worse and almost froze them to death by the time they got to the place (the Human Resources) at about 10:00AM. They gathered around the first heater they found for about half an hour once they were inside (the building). And, they all finally stood in front of an office. "Who speaks English among you guys", Suong asked them. They looked at him while Suong continued. "Come in and ask the lady behind the desk for Mr. Ketkeo". "Can you do it (for us), too", he asked. "No, I can’t.. Speak English". Anyway, they were all (except Suong) at the desk and the lady asked if they needed anything after saying hello. "We all came to the US 3 days ago and we'd like to see Mr. Ketkeo for help", he said. "OK. What's your name", asked the lady. "My name is Outha Phettaphong" "I'm sorry I can't find you. Did you call to make an appointment? Where is your sponsor?" "We don't know where he is". "What? Are you refugee?" He nodded his head and gave her the yellow envelope, which he had always had with him since landed here the other night. The lady took a look at the inside and walked into the side door. She came out in about 3 minutes and told them to have a seat. Ten minutes later, a Laotian man came out of the side door and got them all into a private room. The man introduced himself as MR. Ketkeo after they settled down. Ketkeo apparently knew Phonexay, their sponsor, and was upset with them showing up without an appointment. However, Ketkeo changed his attitude after he learned their situation and tried to call Phonexay. And, when Ketkeo could not locate Phonexay, he called the agency through which Phonexay sponsored them refugees. Finally, Ketkeo hung up and told them "Phonexay should come in half an hour and bring you all somewhere to apply for Social Security Number and check-up. He then brings you back here to apply for assistance. Anyway, you won't get anything in a week". "But we do not have anything to eat", Si insisted. "I have talked to Phonexay about that", Ketkeo said. "Don't worry. You will get some money when Phonexay comes. Each (refugee) is given 200 dollars (by the agency) after he/she comes to the States. By the way, how did you all get here?" "We walked through the wood with a Laotian fellow", Tuy answered. "Hmm .. I'll drive you home if Phonexay is not able to do it this afternoon", said Ketkeo. And, they all thanked Ketkeo and did not forget to obtain Ketkeo's number (just in case) before they headed out to see their sponsor. There was a knock at the door about 10:00 AM that Saturday morning while most of them were still in sleep. He sat up (He and Tuy slept in the living room) and saw Tuy talking with Phanh (by the door). "Still sleeping?", Phanh asked him. "Yeah. We went downtown New York last night with a friend and did not make it back until very late", he said. Phanh smiled and mocked him that he was still tough (as he had been) and would not die easily once he got to a free country. He smiled back without saying a word. And, that was the first time he had ever had a big smile since leaving Laos. He was then well understood that he was still a refugee even though he had come to the country of his choice. He still needed help and guidance to start a new life of his wish, the loved life (of a man) in peace and freedom. Even if it meant living in a strange country on the other side of the Earth like the United State of America. Have a wonderful weekend, and also wanna cheer out loud, go Buckey... Amp _____________________________________________________________ Email Powered by Everyone.net _ ***************************************************************** Visit SatJaDham Homepage at: http://www.satjadham.org (or .net) *****************************************************************