All posts tagged: New York City

December 5th: Legacies of War and friends hosts “Laos in NYC” event

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If you’re in the New York City area, don’t miss what is quite arguably the Lao’dest international affair in the city on Saturday, December 5th. With the majority of attendees from the Lao American community, over 200 people are expected to show up in fashion at Legacies of War’s “Laos in NYC: Fashion Meets Philanthropy”, the most anticipated fundraising and UXO awareness event of the year at NYC’s Civic Hall. Hailing strong collaboration with some Lao American heavy-hitters such as delicious eats from Chef Phet of the acclaimed Khe-Yo to the creative eyes of Monica Phromsavanh of ModaBox. There’ll be old and new friends of Legacies, coming from all sectors, from over 10 states, and Canada and Laos. We chat with Channapha Khamvongsa, Legacies of War’s Executive Director and organizers about the significance of the event as the Lao community’s 40th commences. On the idea of fashion, food and philanthropy: We’ve all admired and respected each others’ work over the years and it was finally just the right time to collaborate. And it’s been really fun and meaningful to work closely together. Some of us have this shared history and understanding as …

Monica Phromsavanh: The Lao New Yorker with Argentinian Roots

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Many who know about the history of Lao refugees already know about the largest Lao Diaspora communities that existed in America, France and Canada, but little has been known about the over 1,800 Laotians who started new lives in Argentina (the 8th largest population of Lao outside of Laos). A brief survey from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees tells a snippet of what life was like for Lao Argentinians: A 1986 report indicates Laotians in particular had a difficult time adapting to Argentine life, and had difficulty finding work. [ World Refugee Survey 1986, p. 59.] Following the country’s economic decline, which sharpened after the Falklands War, the government promulgated a decree giving Indochinese refugees the possibility of acquiring Argentine nationality, of enjoying full rights, and of choosing their settlement location. [ World Refugee Survey 1983, p. 52.] Many sought jobs in Buenos Aires, and some five hundred Laotians reportedly ended up requesting repatriation after unsuccessful attempts at settling. By 1986, however, only 17 families had been granted visas to leave Argentina. [ World Refugee Survey …