01
01 Vietnam
The day started like every day in my peaceful village of Duc Hoa. The…
02
02 Took Me to The Zoo
I attended the Trường Tiểu học Võ Văn Ngân (điểm chính) academy from kindergarten…
03
03 The Escape
Let me tell you how it all really happened in vivid detail: I could…
04
04 Get to The Boat
Everything moved in slow motion as I got ready. I felt each beat of…
05
05 The Little Boy
The boat looked abandoned; I approached it reluctantly. I didn’t want to leave this…
06
06 We Are Going to Die
Most people have some routine to help them go to sleep; mine was twirling…
07
07 Another Trouble
Mother Nature did her best to help us. The seas were calm while we…
08
08 Got Lucky
‘Pirates! What’s that?’ At twelve years of age, I didn’t recall having studied anything…
09
09 Wouldn’t Die from It
‘What a relief!’ An enormous weight was lifted off my shoulders. I can only…
10
10 Almost Fell
A whole new world. Having the freedom to move on deck completely changed my…
11
11 On the Rope
Minutes blended into hours, hours into days. I lost track of time while on…
12
12 Nobody to Help
‘This is not worth it.’ I did not want to go to America. I…
13
13 The Dead Island
‘Don’t they know I’m alone and all by myself?! Why won’t they help me?’…
14
14 The Coconut Trees
Reboarding the boat after our arrival on land felt like a profound setback. We…
15
15 Revived My Hope
Thump! ‘What was that?’ I opened my eyes as the sun was peeking from…
16
16 Survival
‘A new day, a new island. So much of my life has changed in…
17
17 The Announcements
A new kind of ship came to take us to Camp Kuku. This ship…
18
18 Immigration Interview
‘Our last camp, I’m almost there, grandma. I have kept my shirt safe and…
19
19 Moving to the United States
I didn’t have to hide anymore. It felt good to be me, a girl!…
20
20 Reunion
Life in Galang was peaceful for me. I made friends with people of all…
