Tao Phaychengpeng
This is Tao enjoying bowling with her family, one of her favorite things to do in the US
Tao Phaychengpeng, a mother and grandmother but, also an immigrant and refugee from Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. Her hometown of Thailand is small, tropical, rural, and everything throughout the city is in walking distance. One of Tao's favorite things to do back home was to go to a Farmers Market which included different types of fruit, vegetables, bread, sandwiches, and meals for every time of the day. Tao, as well as 95% of Thailand's population practiced Buddhism. Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality.
In 1954, a war had broke out, known as the Vietnam War. Thailand took an active role in this war by being the third largest provider of ground forces to South Vietnam. The communist also started to take over Thailand. Thailand was not under attack in this war until 1967. This made Tao and her newly started family want to leave Thailand. Tao had three sons and one daughter. She was desperate for any place safe for her family. America seemed like the best choice. America was safer and provided opportunities for her and her family.
With the help of Tao's brother, they filed for asylum and were taken to a refugee camp in Thailand. There was only one problem, Tao's husband was Chinese and China was working along side of North Vietnam but, Thailand was supporting South Vietnam so, the camp wouldn't have accepted him. In order for him to immigrate legally and be able to go to the camp with the family he had to change his last name (Chan) to Tao's maiden name (Phaychengpeng) so the refugee camp would accept him.
The refugee camp did not require work at the camp. The camps had many living places for the families. This specific camp did not require the refugees to work because most of the refugees had applied for asylum due to the war. During this time, Tao and her husband had four children, three boys and one girl. Sadly, a fire broke out at the camp and one of her sons got separated from the rest of her family, they have suspected that he died during the fire. Now, she happily is close with her three children, two sons and one daughter.
Finally, Tao and her family arrived in America. She first arrived in Baldwin Park, California, then moved to La Puente, California, and Chino Hills, California. There were a few challenges that came with living in America; particularly teaching herself English, how to read, and how to drive. Tao is still to this day practicing reading and is getting used to English more and more everyday. Now, Tao currently lives in Chino Hills, California with her son Noy, his wife Lindsay, and their two children Mady and Max. Tao also likes to enjoy bowling with her family.
Immigration now is very different then it was decades ago, so Noy (Tao's son) agrees with illegal immigration laws ,but thinks that the legal immigration process should be easier and simpler. "I miss how it was back home. Everything was easier. No driving. No learning a new language. I miss my family but I came here for my children and to help them."
Tao Phaychengpeng, a mother and grandmother but, also an immigrant and refugee from Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. Her hometown of Thailand is small, tropical, rural, and everything throughout the city is in walking distance. One of Tao's favorite things to do back home was to go to a Farmers Market which included different types of fruit, vegetables, bread, sandwiches, and meals for every time of the day. Tao, as well as 95% of Thailand's population practiced Buddhism. Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to insight into the true nature of reality.
In 1954, a war had broke out, known as the Vietnam War. Thailand took an active role in this war by being the third largest provider of ground forces to South Vietnam. The communist also started to take over Thailand. Thailand was not under attack in this war until 1967. This made Tao and her newly started family want to leave Thailand. Tao had three sons and one daughter. She was desperate for any place safe for her family. America seemed like the best choice. America was safer and provided opportunities for her and her family.
With the help of Tao's brother, they filed for asylum and were taken to a refugee camp in Thailand. There was only one problem, Tao's husband was Chinese and China was working along side of North Vietnam but, Thailand was supporting South Vietnam so, the camp wouldn't have accepted him. In order for him to immigrate legally and be able to go to the camp with the family he had to change his last name (Chan) to Tao's maiden name (Phaychengpeng) so the refugee camp would accept him.
The refugee camp did not require work at the camp. The camps had many living places for the families. This specific camp did not require the refugees to work because most of the refugees had applied for asylum due to the war. During this time, Tao and her husband had four children, three boys and one girl. Sadly, a fire broke out at the camp and one of her sons got separated from the rest of her family, they have suspected that he died during the fire. Now, she happily is close with her three children, two sons and one daughter.
Finally, Tao and her family arrived in America. She first arrived in Baldwin Park, California, then moved to La Puente, California, and Chino Hills, California. There were a few challenges that came with living in America; particularly teaching herself English, how to read, and how to drive. Tao is still to this day practicing reading and is getting used to English more and more everyday. Now, Tao currently lives in Chino Hills, California with her son Noy, his wife Lindsay, and their two children Mady and Max. Tao also likes to enjoy bowling with her family.
Immigration now is very different then it was decades ago, so Noy (Tao's son) agrees with illegal immigration laws ,but thinks that the legal immigration process should be easier and simpler. "I miss how it was back home. Everything was easier. No driving. No learning a new language. I miss my family but I came here for my children and to help them."
This is Tao and her children
About The Authors
Caryssa Cavanias
Hi, my name is Caryssa Cavanias, I am fourteen, and attend Alvarado Intermediate School. I interviewed my Uncle's mom, Tao and I learned a lot of new information about her and her story. I do competitive dance at The Talent Factory and have competed since I was three. I do all styles of dance but my favorites are is hip hop and lyrical. One of my goals is to attend Pepperdine University or San Diego State University.
This project helped me answer the essential question of the project by making me understand that our country is very diverse and that we should accept everyone no matter what color their skin is, how they look, what they believe in, etc. The content and skills I learned while creating this project were how to create a website, what content you need to create a biography, how to take better quality pictures, and learning what websites are trustworthy. The social skills I utilized were working with different people, what to ask in an interview, and how to understand how hard it is to immigrate. The personal lessons I learned was that it's not easy to leave everything behind and start all over again. Also, that no matter how hard something is you have to persevere and keep going. I learned more about Tao since she doesn't open up usually and I was surprised that she was an immigrant because I didn't know that until this project.
Sam Ly
Hi, my name is Sam, I am thirteen and go to Alvarado Intermediate School. I worked with Caryssa Cavanias on the "Face of America" Project. I am in 8th grade and I'm interested in architecture. I am learning guitar and can snowboard. My hobbies include using computers and music.
This project has helped me learn many new skills such as critical thinking, research, ect. The project has also helped me understand the essential question of how immigration has shaped America. Immigration has shaped America in many ways. The influx of new people will provide labor. I have also learned about individual stories of many immigrant. For example, in this project Caryssa interviewed her uncle's mom (Tao) about her immigration journey. She was from Thailand and immigrated to the US for safety reasons and for opportunities for her children. Along the way, she was put into a refugee camp and lost one of her children there. Overall this project has drastically changed my view of immigration.