I FOUND THAT AMERICAN AND VIETNAMESE PEOPLE ARE MORE SIMILAR THAN WE ARE DIFFERENT. WE ARE ALL HUMAN. WE HAVE THE SAME CARES AND FEELINGS AS EVERYONE ELSE, AND WE HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER.

v   READ HOA'S STORY   v

I arrived in the United States on October 3, 1988. I came to find a better job and so my children could go to school. I was a single mom, so it was hard to raise my children in Vietnam. I couldn’t provide them with enough clothing, and they couldn’t get a good education. When we came to the United States, they were 17, 13 and 11 years old. We moved to North Carolina, where I worked as an inspector for jeans made in America. I was so happy because my children could attend school, and I was able to find a job that made me more financially secure. My children have a much better life here than in Vietnam because they are able to have good jobs.

I moved to Nashville from North Carolina when my husband died. I am very happy here because Siloam sends nurses to my house to check on me. Even though I live alone, they take good care of me. I moved here to be near my children, but I didn’t want to live with them. Siloam has empowered me to live by myself and enjoy my life so that I don’t have to worry about my future. There is a Buddhist temple that many Vietnamese people attend, and we enjoy living life together. I can live day-by-day and be thankful.

When we moved to the U.S., so many people helped us begin a new life here. I found that the American and Vietnamese people are more similar than we are different. We are all human. We have the same cares and feelings as everyone else, and we have to love each other.