CHAPTER 3. FROM THE JUNGLE TO THE CAMPS

LIFE IN THE JUNGLE

• If the communists found them they would be imprisoned or worst
• They would hide in the jungle for years

THE WAR ENDS

• The Hmong that fought against the communist were in great danger
• U.S lost the Vietnam war in 1975

THE KILLING CONTINUES

• The communist killed all the Hmong and their families who helped the U.S troops
• The Hmong that surrendered were taking as slaves

CROSSING THE MEKONG RIVER

• The only way to escape is to cross the Mekong River

DEATH IN THE WATER

• The communist soldiers searched the river for people trying to cross
• The shot whoever they saw

THE REFUGEE CAMPS

• The people that survived the water were sent to camps
• The biggest camp was called Ban Vinai
• Ban Vinai housed more then 45,000 at a time
• Ban Vinai had schools, markets, health clinic, lake and soccer fields.

LIVING CONDITIONS

• The living conditions were not great with rows upon rows of barracks housing up to 10 families and sometimes 200 people sharing one bathroom.

FAMILY IS IMPORTANT

• In the Camp for Hmong people tried very hard to continue to live by there traditions and rituals