Jonathan Lam

Jackson Heights, NY, United States

From a boat to an island of hope

A boat from Vietnam floats in the sea, as a mother cramped on the boat holds her kids waiting for help. Eventually, the boat lands in Malaysia, where the mother and her kids will live for two years to save money and come to the U.S.

Once the mother and her kids arrived in the U.S., they relied on food stamps, lived in public housing and endured many challenges. The single mother who managed to escape Vietnam with her nine kids is my grandma. One of her kids is my father. Both of my parents remember the Vietnam War, as they told me personal stories of bombs dropping in their town. During their migration trip, they faced Thai pirates as they robbed others and kidnapped young girls. They settled in Bidong Island, where they received help from the Malaysian government and UNHCR. My families’ story taught me to understand the issues refugees face and amplify their stories. Their story encouraged me to get involved. Now, I’m involved with an organization called Peace Corp Community for refugees, as a field liaison. I hope to become an immigration or human rights lawyer and continue advocating for refugees.