Lonnie
Lonnie, 50, was born in Laos and lived there for 8-9 years before leaving due to war. He moved to the United States at age 11, residing in Oakland, and found initial support from relatives and community resources such as AHS where speaking with Laotian-speaking providers is particularly helpful.
ROOTS & BEGINNINGS
Interviewer: I’m going to ask you about your experience coming to America. You said you came here at 11. What made your family move to America? Do you remember?
Lonnie: It was because of the war and so after the royal law government lost the war, then we fled, and our parents said that we have to flee. So we fled.
Interviewer: I see, how was the journey like for you? Was it something that smooth, or did you have to go through a different country?
Lonnie: I was too young. I don’t remember much about it. All I’m worried about is that, you know, we are safe, and that’s all I remember.
Interviewer: I see. And then what was the like the first few years in the United States, did you have anyone beside your family? Did you find your other community members that share the same culture as you?
Lonnie: When we arrived in Thailand. There were already camps in Thailand. And then when we got to America, there were other people here prior to us, so they kind of helped us along the way.
Interviewer: Were those people in Oakland or in a different part of the Bay Area?
Lonnie: Usually we came in, we stayed somewhere in Oakland, and we resided with an uncle before we moved to our own place.
COMMUNITY & CARE
Interviewer: Do you still currently live in Oakland? Do you still live in that place? Or did you move somewhere?
Lonnie: Yes, I move on. To live closer to downtown to Fruitvale now.
Interviewer: Do you still talk to that uncle or talk to other people in the community that are also from Laos or that speak Laotian?
Lonnie: My uncle had moved out, so I lost contact with most people. I only stay in touch with one or two families.
Interviewer: And then you said you moved here at 11. I’m wondering, is there any thing you remember when you moved here that made you happy or surprised?
Lonnie: Since I came here, I tried to get to know people, I tried to move along. But you know, it’s rough.
Interviewer: I wonder, how does not speaking English affected your life in America? Do you have difficulty making friends?
Lonnie: I used to be that. I have some family members, relatives. But they all moved away. So it’s just our family alone here. So it’s a tough journey for me
Interviewer: How did you discover Asian Health Services?
Lonnie: I was seeking social services help. They referred me to here, so I came here. I met Letida.
Lonnie: I know we don’t have that many Laotian speaking providers, but we do have some.
Interviewer: How do you feel when you talk to those providers in your home language?
Lonnie: Yes, they help me a great deal, and they help me satisfactory.
UPBRINGING
Interviewer: Did you grow up in Laos? How many years did you live in Laos? How did you feel?
Lonnie: I lived in Laos for about eight, nine years.
Interviewer: Did you have any family traditions or celebrations that were very meaningful or important to you?
Lonnie: All my parents have four boys and three girls
Interviewer: Did they celebrate any holiday back at home?
Lonnie: We celebrate many holidays in July, September, and December
Interviewer: Which is your favorite holiday? What month is that?
Lonnie: I enjoy the Pi Mai, you know, we call you toss water to each other, clean things in September (Bunpimay) is the national holiday. So I love, I enjoy those two holidays.
Interviewer: Okay, could you tell me about the holiday where you toss water to each other? Do you do it at home, or do you deal with it in the street with your neighbors and friends?
Lonnie: It is a day of cleansing so we toss water anywhere. We can. On the street, school, home, or anywhere we can. September we do that and then go to the city.
Oraiyo is a Lao-American digital artist based in the United States, specializing in creating Lao and ASEAN-inspired artworks and textiles.
