The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
Within 10 years, Sheena Loth escaped the Cambodian genocide, lived and worked in a refugee camp, was moved to Rochester, learned English, and helped found the Intercultual Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA).
And this Saturday, she will be telling her story at the first annual Walk Around the World event, sponsored by IMAA.
"It kind of brings the memory back," she said. "When I came to this town, they had no refugees and no black hair. Now, I can look around and see all different people."
Loth's family was the first Cambodian family to arrive in Rochester. Within a year of their arrival, there were many more, she said.
Now, there are 8,000 refugees in Rochester, according to Courtney Lawson, IMAA program manager. They are from around the world, including Cambodia, Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan and, most recently, Iraq. The walk will recognize the refugees and educate the community, Lawson said.
"We thought it was really an opportunity to get the word out about the refugee story here in our own town," she said. "I think the success and overcoming all those things to be successful and contributing members of our community is the story that isn't often seen or told."
The event will also help celebrate World Refugee Day on Sunday.
"Being a refugee is different than being an immigrant," Lawson said. "The refugees were forced to leave their homes. Their lives were endangered. A lot of times, they wouldn't know when they're going, or where they're going. They didn't have the choice of where to resettle. It was something that was assigned to them."
Life in Rochester wasn't a choice for Loth, but she and her family have made the most of it. Her three daughters have found success; one is in law school, another is a flight attendant and the third is a resident adviser at Hamline University.
"I'm so proud of my kids," Loth said. "We are productive since we came to the United States."
And refugee success is something Lawson said she wants to stress during the Walk Around the World.
"I think the overcoming all those things to be successful and contributing members of our community is the story that isn't often seen or told," she said. "There are some pretty incredible stories of flight and getting somewhere safe. There are some really poignant stories too of reuniting with family members."
And this Saturday, she will be telling her story at the first annual Walk Around the World event, sponsored by IMAA.
"It kind of brings the memory back," she said. "When I came to this town, they had no refugees and no black hair. Now, I can look around and see all different people."
Loth's family was the first Cambodian family to arrive in Rochester. Within a year of their arrival, there were many more, she said.
Now, there are 8,000 refugees in Rochester, according to Courtney Lawson, IMAA program manager. They are from around the world, including Cambodia, Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan and, most recently, Iraq. The walk will recognize the refugees and educate the community, Lawson said.
"We thought it was really an opportunity to get the word out about the refugee story here in our own town," she said. "I think the success and overcoming all those things to be successful and contributing members of our community is the story that isn't often seen or told."
The event will also help celebrate World Refugee Day on Sunday.
"Being a refugee is different than being an immigrant," Lawson said. "The refugees were forced to leave their homes. Their lives were endangered. A lot of times, they wouldn't know when they're going, or where they're going. They didn't have the choice of where to resettle. It was something that was assigned to them."
Life in Rochester wasn't a choice for Loth, but she and her family have made the most of it. Her three daughters have found success; one is in law school, another is a flight attendant and the third is a resident adviser at Hamline University.
"I'm so proud of my kids," Loth said. "We are productive since we came to the United States."
And refugee success is something Lawson said she wants to stress during the Walk Around the World.
"I think the overcoming all those things to be successful and contributing members of our community is the story that isn't often seen or told," she said. "There are some pretty incredible stories of flight and getting somewhere safe. There are some really poignant stories too of reuniting with family members."
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