~ Continued from page 43
After saying our goodbyes, we load
up into the warmth of our transport,
but it doesn’t feel right. For us, this
is a visit and we can leave and return
to our safe lives but for them, this is
their reality.
As we turn onto Amy Lane it is hard
not to get emotional. The road is
unpaved and deeply pitted but com-
pared to the next house we visit the
road is in better shape. Saphy Pech,
the eldest daughter, from a fam-
ily of eight has been struggling with
her health. She is the organizer in
the family, but Harvey took away
her ability to organize effectively.
Their house was completely totaled
by Harvey. They are living in a one
room, one-bathroom structure the
family built immediately after Har-
vey. It has no heat or kitchen. They
are forced to use a microwave outside
on a two-foot porch. As we tour their
destroyed home Holly listens intently
as John explains to her the immedi-
ate needs of the family.
The trip is now coming to an end
and as we stand in the warehouse of
John Boph engrossed in deep con-
versation and discussing the commu-
nity and its needs, Holly Ham and
her White House team are engaged,
asking questions and planning. This
outreach began four months ago and
through all the ups and downs, our
message reached the highest office
in the land. They heard our plea and
they responded. Today, is a TURN-
ING POINT!!!
SEWA International
Kavita Tewary, Executive Director
Achalesh Amar, Houston Chapter Coordinator
Shravanthi Thirunagari, Livelihood Projects
Coordinator
Lisa Oum, Lead Case Manager
Phan Prak, Community Liaison Officer
John Boph, Community Leader
YMCA
Jeff Watkins, YMCA VP for Global Initiatives
The Houston International Trade Development
Council Hosted Rosharon Cambodian Farmers
Community site visit
Special Thanks to:
Holly Ham, Executive Director of White House
Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders,
KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, Ph.D., Program Director,
Office of English Language Acquisition, U.S.
Department of Education,
Melissa Fwu, Associate Director, White House
Office Of Public Liaison
Val Thompson, President, Houston International
Trade Development Council, Inc. (HITDC)
Dario Lipovac, The Director of YMCA Refugee
Resettlement Services
Business Leaders
Wayne & Tammy Nguyen, Owners of Maba Pan
Asian Diner
Sherry Cauble, Co-Owner, C.C. Hunter Construc-
tion
Bryan Jiang, Founder/CEO, NEWZILL
Peta-Gay Ledbetter, Director of Clinical Services
at Alliance
Edward Alexander, Founder, Excl Executive Car &
Limo
CHANGE
YOUR
LIFE
• Three international business programs: occupational
skills award, certificate and associate degree
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and
Programs (ACBSP) nationally recognized
• Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)
credential: an international industry certification
hccs.edu/internationalbusiness
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