This is the story of Pahoua Lee-Kongkeo. A child nine years of age, who was lost, presumed to have died while crossing of the Mekong so many years ago."
“ This is the story of Pahoua Lee-Kongkeo. A child nine years of age, who was lost, presumed to have died while crossing of the Mekong so many years ago." -Kou Vang (Part of “Portraits of Hmong Women Photo Essay Documentary” by Kou Vang) It was evening when we decided to cross the Mekong River for the first time. We were crossing in a group of about 50. Since I wasn’t a strong swimmer, I was tied by inner tube to my uncle and aunt. My immediate family – mother, father and two sisters – went into the water ahead of us. Suddenly, the communists started shooting toward us as soon as they heard voices. It was a terrifying moment. Some bullets must have hit the ropes that connected me with my uncle and aunt because I found myself floating backwards, alone. I screamed for help and called for my mother and father, losing sight of the group in the darkness. I yelled until I couldn’t anymore. But no one heard me. No one would come back for me. I ...