I am ethnically Jarai, one of the tribal groups collectively known as the Montagnards. I was born and raised in a small remote village in Cheo Reo district in Pleiku province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. As a young boy, I spent a great amount of time working on the farm, tending our animals, crops and younger siblings, hunting and fishing, gathering edible plants and fruits, and occasionally I read and did my homework.

 

My family emigrated from Vietnam to Raleigh, North Carolina (U.S.A.) as refugees under the Orderly Departure Program (ODF) in 1996. At the time we set foot in America, we hardly knew any English. I learned my English mostly from American friends, co-workers, sponsors, English as Second Language (ESL) teachers, high school and college courses, and other people I came in contact with over the years. I also worked at different places as a cook, housekeeper, caseworker, landscaper, interpreter, cultural broker for the Montagnard refugees, and more recently in academic research.  

 

As a Montagnard community member, I played comtempory and traditional Montagnard music at weddings, community gatherings, and cultural events. I have always enjoyed meeting new Montagnard refugees as well as meeting people from other countries, learning about their personal stories, their cultures, and different things about their countries.

 

Life has been both good and sometimes challenging, but nevertheless it is a wonderful adventure. I have learned to appreciate life in its fullness and uniqueness. I am married now with two beautiful kids, Jonathan and Helen, and we are currently living in Lubbock, Texas.