The Heroine's Journey

Talisma Nasrin is a renown, out-spoken Bangladesh feminist. She works to build support for secular humanism, freedom of thought, equality for women, and human rights by publishing, lecturing, and campaigning. This is Supatra's own poetic response to one of Taslima's poem, "The Woman Breaking Bricks". 

            The Heroine's Journey

With you I am weeping, brick breaking girl

Your sadness drowns my heart

Your misery pierces my soul

Your pain tears me apart

I will ask all my friends,

What would you feel,

what would you say,

if brick breaking girl

lives in the USA,

works for Webcor,

building Juicy Couture? 

Will our T.V. tell her story

inside out and outside in,

Day after day?

It's you I am embracing, brick breaking girl

Your resilience lift my soul

Your forbearance fill my heart

Your fortitude I uphold

With you, and with all of us, I break the brick

We will build the great tower

And plant flowers on it

           

                                    - Supatra Chowchuvech , CHAA Thai Community Advocate


       

Tibetan Leadership Workshop for Youth

Youth development, particularly in areas of leadership has been a largely unaddressed need in Bay Area Himalayan communities. In order to provide resources to young leaders in her community, CHAA Tibetan advocate Tsering Yangkey organized a Youth leadership workshop on Saturday, June 22, 2012. The workshop was organized to strengthen public speaking skills in voicing concerns about Tibetan issues to the world, strengthening skills in planning and hosting campaign activities, and other skills.

There were three presenters at the workshop. First was CHAA's Angelo Ercia, who led a workshop about event organizing and outreach. Participants joined in a planning activity, where they were asked to break out into groups to organize an event. Angelo covered the different challenges that can often come up in event management and planning, and what the participants could do to avoid these issues to make their events as efficient and effective as possible. After a lunch of traditional home cooked Tibetan food, Nadia Hussain from CHAA presented a quick training on social media and storytelling, encouraging the participants to reach within to express their true passions when it comes to the issues they are advocating for.

The last training was led by speaker Kala Mendoza, who gave a fantastic workshop on public speaking. Kala helped the young leaders tighten up their messages and had them practice making quick videos on flip cameras so that they could watch themselves in action as they spoke of human rights in Tibet and the need for support for Tibetans in exile. The participants were grateful for the workshop and all that they learned. Tsering looks to do more youth leadership trainings for the community so that leaders can gain further tools and insights for making the greatest impact when it comes to their advocacy efforts.

From the Roots to the Treetops: Reflections on the Town Hall for Emerging API Communities from Bhutan, Burma, Mongolia and Tibet

One of the greatest challenges faced by advocacy efforts is the lack of connection between government bodies, public agencies, and marginalized communities. The communities that need the most help and who have the most at stake are often left out of crucial policy discussions.  For years, non-profits like CHAA have worked with communities on the ground through direct services and programming in an attempt to address some of their most pressing needs. Though these efforts are crucial in providing much needed services, they are sometimes unable to provide an avenue for community voices to be heard by federal agencies.

Members of the local Bhutanese community 

A significant step towards bridging this gap took place on Saturday, April 28, 2012, when Community Health for Asian Americans (CHAA) and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) co-sponsored a Town Hall meeting – “Connecting with Emerging Communities from Bhutan, Burma, Mongolia and Tibet” – at Cesar Chavez Education Center in Oakland, CA. The town hall/listening session was a unique opportunity for these diverse new communities to share their challenges directly with Obama Administration officials and representatives from several Federal Departments. Community partners included the Bhutanese Community in California, leaders from Bay Area refugee communities from Burma, Mongolian Student Nonprofit Organization in America, and the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC).

Performing artist Tashi, from the Tibetan Community

President Obama reestablished the WHIAAPI in October 2009 to increase access and participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in policy development, programs and services across the Federal government. The administration appointed several representatives to conduct outreach to communities all over the county in order to facilitate and build this participation. More information on the initiative can be found here (http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/aapi/about). WHIAAPI Commission Chair, Daphne Kwok, had previously met with the diverse Burmese refugee community in Oakland last August. There was great enthusiasm and interest expressed by the community members attending that meeting in connecting with government representatives about their issues. Further discussions and planning for a larger event for new and emerging API communities followed.
With these needs in mind, CHAA’s API Connections team and members of targeted communities began planning the month before the event. The planning body included representatives from each community to be represented at the town hall. The communities held their own planning discussions in preparation for their involvement in the Town Hall. Everyone worked to ensure that the event would have adequate interpretation for community members, informative presentations for federal officials and carefully selected community stories that could illustrate their most significant needs and challenges.
The April 28^th Town Hall meeting featured a program that included presentations by representatives of the Bhutanese, Burma refugee, Mongolian and Tibetan communities. The event also showcased cultural song and dance from each of the communities, a multicultural lunch with foods from each of the participating communities, and intensive dialogue sessions between individuals and community leaders with local, state, and federal representatives. These roundtable discussions enabled the communities to voice their concerns, exchange ideas, and connect with those who have the access, information and resources to deliver much-needed services.

Cultural items from the Mongolian Community

In the beginning of the day each cultural group set up their own sections and tables, complete with cultural artifacts, flags and banners. The room was alive with diversity and excitement as men wearing ‘say p’lo’, red traditional shirts from the Karen community, listened attentively to translations of the agenda while Bhutanese children wearing colorful traditional clothes ran throughout the auditorium. The event held an interesting mix of people – from government officials in suits, to Tibetan community leaders in traditional clothes. This was an incredible and unique opportunity for federal officials to get a glimpse into the lives of these communities.

Organizer Mary Nicely, CHAA Executive Director Beatrice Lee and CHAA Associate Director Sean Kirkpatrick began the presentations with inspirational words before introducing a few a traditional dance and music numbers from the Tibetan community. Classically trained Tibetan artist, Tashi performed a dance while playing a traditional musical instrument.

Event organizer Mary Nicely addresses the crowd

Community presentations after the performances were a crucial learning tool for event participants. The presentations covered group histories- from their lives in their homelands and the reasons for their migrations to the United States. There were tales of war, occupation, refugee camps and economic shifts that led to mass immigration. These backstories could get lost or overlooked within a broad API context, yet here the stories stood on their own, to be shared and understood by the federal officials. Mongolians spoke of economic insecurities that caused many in their community to seek a better life in the United States. They spoke about supporting the DREAM Act (the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act), an important piece of legislation that would help many undocumented students from the Mongolian and other API communities. The Burma refugee community presented on their diverse ethnic groups, and the fierce persecutions they faced with Burmese borders that caused millions to flee as refugees. They outlined issues of accountability regarding refugee resettlement services and a strong need for English language learning, which has been made unavailable to many refugees due to severe budget cuts. The Tibetan community shared stories of their growing blue-collar work force made up of educated individuals who lacked opportunities due to a dearth of adequate job support services.  The Bhutanese community outlined issues of public safety issues, since many refugees from their community are forced to live in high crime areas due to lack of economic resources. The Bhutanese also highlighted the lack of programs for women and the lack of continued support for refugee resettlement. The unique stories and journeys of each group detailed the significant issues they face as they work to adjust to their new homes in the United States.

Jain Thapa presents on the Bhutanese community

Over lunch, attendees were welcomed by Dr. Marye Thomas, Director of Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, heard a moving personal story by Thuan Nguyen, California State Refugee Coordinator, and a presentation on the California Reducing Disparities Project’s API Report on mental health prevention and early intervention recommendations to the State Department of Mental Health from Rocco Cheng from Pacific Clinics.

The heart of the event’s purpose came after lunch, when each group was given the chance to directly communicate with representatives of attending government agencies, including the Justice Department, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, and The Department of Labor.  Officials moved from community table to community table, explaining the services provided by their departments and addressed the questions and issues presented to them by community members. Many community members shared their struggles in the workplace and challenges with getting employment in the first place. Communities relayed housing and language concerns, with federal officials listening intently and offering their best answers to the questions and concerns. Officials spent much of their time listening intently, taking in information regarding needs and concerns of the communities. These included many needs shared by almost all immigrant communities, yet there are issues unique to these newer immigrant communities that may not be not understood fully without more context and personal stories.

WHIAAPI Commissioner Daphne Kwok speaks with the Tibetan community

A member of the Bhutanese community spoke to the Department of Health and Human Services spoke about the issues he had with healthcare. He told the story of his wife, who had a problem with her leg as well as sleep problems and had been waiting for over a year for a doctor’s appointment. A member of the Burmese community described his experience of going to the local housing department and being told to “bring his own interpreter.” Others relayed their struggles with being unable to access public housing due to employment requirements. A young student from Mongolia shared the fears and uncertainties they faced while growing up undocumented in this country. The student spoke of the lack of options people in his situation faced and how it was difficult to pursue opportunities for a better life. A high school senior from the Tibetan community expressed his concerns regarding mental health and acculturation. “We are very depressed and we need support,” he said.  Others spoke about the underemployment of the Tibetan workforce, and told the stories of doctors and other professionals who were unable to find jobs in their fields here in the US. The federal officials engaged in these conversations. Many offered some answers or provided resources related to the issues that were discussed. Other times, they made notes as to what could be improved or changed to better serve these communities.

Dept of Health and Human Services, Kay Strader listens to the Mongolian community

As the time for discussions was winding down, community members were still brimming with topics to discuss and stories to tell. Community members would have stayed all night discussing their issues if possible; this was a novel and rare opportunity for them to directly approach agency representatives and decision-makers with their questions.
The event ended with a closing statement from event organizer Mary Nicely, who applauded the communities and officials for taking hours out of their Saturday to build critical communication for future work. Commissioner Daphne Kwok lauded the event’s success. She spoke of the need for more town halls in the future to expand the connections being made that day and to continue the crucial exchange of information between agencies and API communities. 

Many of the community leaders reflected on the importance of the town hall event. Tenzin “Tsedup” Wangdu, the Board President of the Tibetan Association of North America, reflected that “the Tibetan community has lots of refugees. It gave us appreciation to navigate through services on county and state levels.” Jantsan Damdinsuren, President of the Mongolian Students Non-Profit Organization in America, was appreciative of the opportunity to have the Mongolian community connect directly to government representatives. “It was a great opportunity for emerging immigrant low-income communities in the Bay Area,” he said. “It was an opportunity to voice our issues.” The government representatives were also grateful for this opportunity. “I loved it, it was wonderful. I have been to other listening sessions, but this was different. It was very touching to see the commitment to people from emerging communities to making their lives in this country better,” said Kay Strawder from the Department of Health and Human Services, Region IX.

Officials with Bhutanese community members

We at CHAA also loved the event, and are working on next steps with the communities, the White House Initiative on AAPIs, and with the departments represented at the Town Hall. The Town Hall’s success has broken ground for future efforts. The government and federal agencies cannot help communities they do not know about. The 2010 Census was important for this reason: it gave the federal government a better, if imperfect, picture of different constituencies and the services they may need. Refugee and marginalized API communities are oftentimes missing from this picture, and town halls such as this are an important step to making sure that they are included, honored and heard. Helping emerging API communities in their efforts to be represented in decisions that impact their lives realizes CHAA’s vision of bringing changes to the larger systems, changes that will hopefully improve the quality of life and services for these new immigrant communities.

CHAA would like to thank Federal Officials, the WHIAAPI and
Community members for coming out and making the event a great success!

World Refugee Day Press Release

East Bay Refugee Forum presents World Refugee Day 2012 in Oakland, CA

June 21, 2012 - World Refugee Day 2012 is a celebration to honor, appreciate and raise awareness about refugees around the world and in Oakland. The event will hosted by the East Bay Refugee Forum (EBRF) on Friday, June 22^nd at San Antonio Park in Oakland, CA from 12:00pm – 3:00pm.

The East Bay Refugee Forum is a partnership of over 38 agencies in Alameda County that serve refugees. The Forum was founded in 1978 as a partnership of five refugee resettlement agencies that supported the large influx of refugees coming to Alameda County. The Forum’s mission is to promote refugee self-sufficiency, leadership, advocacy, and to serve as the common voice for refugees in the East Bay.

World Refugee Day was established via Resolution 55/76 on December 4, 2000 at the United Nations General Assembly. The UN General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and thus the day was incorporated. From June 18 to 20 the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) commemorates World Refugee Day in order to draw the public's attention to the millions of refugees worldwide who are forced to flee their homes. Each year, UNHCR selects a theme and coordinates events across the globe.

The East Bay event will include cultural food, games and performances from  many diverse refugee communities in the Bay Area.

Event speakers and guests include:

Alex Briscoe, Director of Alameda County Health Services Agency

Wilma Chan, District 3 City Supervisor

Mina Sanchez, senior aide from District 5 City Supervisor Keith Carson’s office

Pat Kernighan, Oakland City Councilmember, District 2

Libby Schaaf, Oakland City Councilmember, District 4

Alice Lai-Bitker, Alameda County Board Supervisor

Endalkachew Getaneh, guest speaker from the refugee community 

API Community Meets with Rep. Barbara Lee

Burmese community with Representative Barbara Lee at the OACC

Representative Barbara Lee met with the Asian Pacific Islander Community on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.  Rep. Lee has been an advocate for the API community, serving on the Health Care Taskforce Chair for the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Rep Lee and her staff welcomed members of the community and spoke briefly about her advocacy work and the upcoming election day on Tuesday, June 5th.

The Burmese community, along with CHAA advocate Nwe Oo, and the Tibetan community came out to meet the congresswoman and had the opportunity to speak to her personally.

Connecting with our local, state and national representatives is a crucial part of empowering API communities, especially the ones who are marginalized on the periphery of political discourse. Community events and meetings such as these are a positive step forward for these groups as they look to further engage with policy issues. 

Immigrant Day in Sacramento

Immigrant Day attendees on the steps of the State Capitol

On March 21st 2012, a coalition of organizations from all over the state came together for Immigrant Day in Sacramento. Organizations ranged from Labor rights groups to Faith-based organizations who came together to advocate for the rights of immigrant communities. The day began with an interfaith procession, followed by leaders from the community who addressed the days attendees. Assemblymember Tom Amianno and Assemblymember Fiona Ma also spoke in support of the day and the passing of California Immigrant Policy Centers's (CIPC) pro immigrant policy platforms. During the speeches, community groups listened and prepared for the legislative visits that would begin around noon.

Assemblymember Tom Amianno, drafter of many pro-immigrant bills, addresses the crowd
photo courtesy of CIPC

I attended three legislative visits where Immigrant Day attendees shared their personal stories with Congressional staff and legislators, urging passing of Pro-immigrant bills. Some of of the highest priority Bills were the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (AB 889), the TRUST Act (AB 1081), The Workplace Religious Freedom Act (AB 1964) and The Reuniting Immigrant Families Act (SB 1064). During the visits, we explained what the bills entailed and how passing them would secure the human rights of immigrants in our communities. Community members told their stories to illustrate the impact the bills would have. One man spoke of his younger sister, who was undocumented and was reported to the police by the father of her child during a domestic dispute. She was deported and now her brother has to take care of his nephew. He spoke of the pain of separation and the uncertainly that goes along with policies that force families apart.

There were many stories like this. My delegations' last visit of the day was with Assemblywomen Pro Temporate Fiona Ma. Fiona Ma has been a strong advocate of progressive immigration on a state level and welcomed the stories from our contingent.

Advocates and community members getting ready for legislative visits

Immigration issues are a big part of the challenges facing the communities CHAA works with. There are hidden undocumented populations within many of our API groups and oftentimes their voices are completely unheard. Immigration Day provides an opportunity for members of the community to directly address their legislators and impact bills that may help support our communities, instead of denying them their rights. At CHAA, we look to bridge the gaps not just between communities and services, but also in policy arenas where voices matter. More efforts such as these may be instrumental in changing the landscape of California politics, to make this diverse state more open and fair to the people who call it home.

Written by: Smita Nadia Hussain

A Personal Reflection On the Oikos University Shooting in Oakland, CA by Dechen Tsering

Photo of Sonam Chodon, who tragically lost her life in the Oikos University shooting in Oakland

This week on Monday, April 2nd, seven innocent lives were abruptly ended in a horrific shooting at Oikos University in Oakland, CA. Monday’s tragic incident was particularly shocking and unprecedented for the Tibetan and Sikkimese communities here and everywhere as we mourn the untimely deaths of Sonam Chodon (Tibetan) and Tshering Rinzing Bhutia (Sikkimese). Sadly, these were also the two victims whose nationalities were dissolved into "Nepal" and/or "India" in earlier media reports, reflecting how without a sovereign statehood we are vulnerable to ethnic invisibility even in death.

The other students who were killed were of Nigerian (Doris Chibuko), Filipino (Kathleen Ping), Guyanan (Judith Seymour) and Korean (Lydia Sim and Grace Kim) ethnicity. The shooter, One Goh, was Korean and is in police custody. My heart and prayers go out to all the families and friends of those impacted by this horrific act and to their communities. Many of us have heard and seen reports of random shootings in the US or elsewhere. Be it two senior high school students’ mass shooting in Columbine, Colorado; a 17-year old boy’s consecutive shooting sprees at his secondary school and a car dealership in Southern Germany; a deranged shopper’s random shooting in a Dutch mall; a disturbed American GI’s shooting rampage in an Afghan village; or a 43-year old Korean immigrant’s madness at Oikos University Oakland this week – horrific shootings resulting in multiple innocent deaths are always a shock to our system and psyche. No matter what the circumstances, these acts are inconceivable each time they happen. It reminds us of how we, humans, can crack somewhere so deep inside that it can lead to incredible suffering for oneself and other innocent beings.
That said, Monday's incident represents a tragedy for many of us, particularly those of us living in the United States and its immigrant communities.

Tragic because it is the worst case of senseless shooting in the Bay Area involving mostly Asians. Tragic because it exemplifies how a system failed to support a new immigrant to this country troubled by his own loss of a mother and a brother last year under different circumstances. Tragic because it is yet another example of how this country's laws around gun control do more harm than good for society. Contrary to the proponents of laws against tighter gun-control laws, America's "right to bare arms" ended seven promising lives and set in motion a likely lifetime of incarceration for one on Monday. Tragic because it shattered dreams, broke hearts and forever separated families from their loved ones.
We are all impacted by a deeply sad and tragic set of circumstances that led to the loss of these 7 precious human beings, including our very sister, Sonam Chodon, and our cultural brother, Tshering Bhutia from Sikkim. As I learned from surviving siblings and close friends, they were two lovely aspiring human beings with dreams to do good in this sometimes crazy world we live in. A soft-spoken nurturing Sonam Chodon was deeply committed to serving her community, which she did for five years on the staff of Department of Education within the Tibetan exile government in Dharamsala, India. She was on her way to completing her nursing courses at Oikas University and had been in the US for just under two years. She was poised to do more good in the world with her nursing degree at age 33.

Incidentally, both Sonam Chodon and Tshering Bhutia had no living parents so their surviving siblings are bearing yet another personal loss. Arrangements are being made to fly Tshering Bhutia's body back to Sikkim for ceremonies in his homeland. He was a cheerful and hardworking man who would've turned 39 this month! He was on his way to apply for US citizenship this year.

On Tuesday April 3rd, the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC), a nonprofit that oversees the wellbeing of the local Tibetan community, hosted a beautiful prayer ceremony for all the victims and their families at the Tibetan community center, De-Shi Phuntsogling, in Richmond. Tibetans and Western friends chanted Buddhist prayers led by maroon-robed monks from the Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose and Nechung Buddhist Center in El Cerrito.

I have never seen the Tibetan community center so full with people as that night, with an estimated 150 in the audience. The show of community support for the victims and their families was moving and quite a number of non-Tibetans were there as well. Six of my own colleagues from Oakland-based nonprofit, Community Health for Asian Americans (CHAA), were present also. CHAA’s Executive Director, Beatrice Lee, read a heartfelt condolence letter on behalf of her organization board and staff. TANC President Tenzin Tsedup gave an emotional memorial to his former classmate, Sonam Chodon, and acknowledged Tshering Bhutia, with full commitment from TANC's side to do whatever is necessary to show support to his bereaved family in Sikkim as well as that of Sonam Chodon's. At the end of the ceremony, people went up to Sonam Chodon's brother to express condolences (Tshering Bhutia had no relatives or family in the Bay Area). It was a deeply emotional time for everyone regardless of how personally we knew Sonam Chodon or not during her life.

There was a momentary merging of Eastern and Western cultures in the openly public display of tears, sorrow and physical embraces of solidarity against a more stoic cultural backdrop. I watched how gracefully Sonam Chodon's brother acknowledged quietly each person's condolence and accepted the embraces despite the personal grief. He later shared with me that that night's show of community's solidarity was something he will cherish and felt deeply grateful for.

Four Tibetans were involved in this incident, three were women. Sonam Chodon’s classmate and friend narrowly escaped death by hiding under a table in the class, another Tibetan woman in a separate room actually saved herself and her colleagues from potential fatality by locking their class door and turning off the light just before the shooter got there. Tragically, Sonam Chodon was killed.
In many ways both the Tibetan and Sikkimese communities are blessed to have Buddhist spiritual principles to draw strength from and keep spirits hopeful. Customary to Buddhist tradition, community members at the dedication that night offered donations via TANC for the families of Sonam and Tshering as contributions toward butter lamp offerings and prayer ceremonies throughout the first 49 days following their demise. People poured hearts and purses in a generous show of support.
My heartfelt prayers to ALL the families, friends and communities impacted by this tragedy including that of the perpetrator. May those deceased rest in peace and may their surviving loved ones move through their painful loss with compassion and forgiveness.

We are all the same in that one day we all have to bid farewell to this life! When and how we get to do that is unpredictable and beyond our control. So treat each day like a gift from the universe to do good in this world!


Om Mani Padme Hum....,
Dechen
Berkeley, CA

FYI: This piece was shared and approved by Sonam Chodon's brother and Tshering Bhutia's best friend and nephew before going public. For tax-deductible donations toward memorial costs of the Tibetan and Sikkimese victims, please send checks to Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) with "memorial" in the memo and mail to TANC, 5200 Huntington Avenue, Suite 200, Richmond, CA 94804.

photo credit: Thepo Tulku

Letter from CHAA to Families, Friends and Survivors of Oikos University Shooting on April 2, 2012

CHAA Executive Director, Beatrice Lee, reads a condolence letter
at a Tibetan memorial ceremony for victims
of the Oikos University shooting

A letter read by CHAA's Executive Director, Beatrice Lee, at a memorial tsok ceremony at the Tibetan Association of Northern California's community center in Richmond, CA, on April 3, 2012. Two of the victims were immigrants from the Himalayan region (Tibet and Sikkim), and most were Asian (Tibetan, Sikkimese, Filipino and Korean). A Nigerian and Guyanan student were also killed. For tax-deductible donations toward memorial costs of the Tibetan and Sikkimese victims, please send checks to Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) with "memorial" in the memo and mail to TANC, 5200 Huntington Avenue, Suite 200, Richmond, CA 94804.

Dear Families and Friends of the Victims of the Oakland Shooting on April 2, 2012.
On behalf of the board, staff and partners of the Community Health for Asian Americans, a nonprofit organization that offers services for the health and wellbeing of Asian and Pacific Islander communities, I send our heartfelt condolences to the surviving families, friends and community members of all the seven people whose lives were tragically ended by a random shooting at Oikos University on April 2, 2012, as well as those who survived but were injured.
There are seldom words comforting enough to console those who experience the shock and grief of losing loved ones in the most unexpected of circumstances. We recognize that members of many Bay Area communities including the Tibetan, Sikkimese, Filipino, Korean, and Nigerian communities, will grapple in their own ways with the shock, sadness and the senselessness of this tragic incident. While some were here longer in the US than others, all the people who lost their lives were immigrants like you and me, with dreams and aspirations for a better life in the United States and specifically in our beautiful Bay Area. We have heard and read of enraged shootings in schools and university campuses across the United States over the years, but yesterday’s shooting has hit closer to home.
As an API organization based in Oakland, CHAA is deeply saddened. Our hearts go out to all the communities that are experiencing directly unspeakable pain while facing the challenges of living in a country and culture that is so different from where they came. Many dreams were shattered, many hearts were broken, and many families are forever separated from their loved ones. Those who were injured during or present to witness the terrifying events of that day are deeply traumatized, and will likely relive the fear and anguish they experienced for years to come. We also extend our hearts to the man who did the shooting, and his family and friends, recognizing the trauma they are experiencing as the result of his actions. It is almost impossible at times of such tragic news to make any sense of such violent acts that serve no purpose but to inflict pain and suffering on innocent people.
At CHAA, we have staff members from several of the communities impacted by yesterday’s event including the Tibetan and Filipino communities. We offer you their time in service to assist in any way with your cultural rituals around death, grieving and recovery at this time of need. Please also know that we are here for you in any ways you and your communities need us.
Once again, I express heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy. May the deceased rest in peace and may the surviving families and friends find the support and strength to move through this with peace and forgiveness.

Sincerely,
Beatrice Lee, Executive Director, CHAA

Cambodians for Peace Solidarity Rally

Ongoing violence in the Oakland Cambodian Community has impacted the lives of many as friends, families, neighbors, and businesses have been victims of community violence. In response to this, a Cambodian Community 4 Peace March was held on Saturday March 31st at the  Saint Anthony Church. The march for peace symbolized unity for community members who came together and spoke with one voice to express their concerns regarding the outbreaks of violence in their communities. The event brought together community members to unite and send a message to the mayor, city council members, and local and state policy makers to show the importance of wanting to be safe in the community. 

People came out despite the rain and inclement weather to show their support and solidarity to stop community violence. Below are photos capturing this powerful and emotional event.

'Pledge for Peace" banner signed by community member and supporters

Signs for the march

CHAA's pledge for peace

march participants fill the auditorium

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI)'s Chandra Pech takes the stage 

Photo by  Pysay Phinith

Making sure their voices are heard
Photo by Pysay Pinith ((photo courtesy of CERI)

Additional coverage regarding the march can be found here.

Cambodian Community Garden Opening in Oakland, CA

women from the Cambodian community picking Chinese cabbage

Farming, harvesting and growing food has been a tradition for many Southeast Asian communities for generations. Yet in urban areas like Oakland, farming and harvesting has often been a challenge for many Cambodians who were forced to leave their country in the 70's and 80's.  In the past few years, however, CHAA, along with other community partners have worked with the Cambodian community to develop small plots of land to grow produce and utilize their gardening and farming skills.

Sotheavy Tan, CHAA's Cambodian outreach staff ,showing off the garden

On March 30, the Cambodian community, CHAA advocates and community allies came together to celebrate the opening of a community garden at Lakeside Park in Oakland.  The lush green garden was full of vegetables as Cambodian women who had worked on the plot for weeks were able to collect their bounty and share the vegetables with guests.

homegrown produce

Though the garden is a small plot, community members were grateful for what the the garden provides. It gives members of  the Cambodian community the opportunity to utilize traditional gardening methods and skills, as well as connect to each other and to younger generations.

Stony, the daughter of one of the women who has been active in the garden related to the positive outcomes of having space to garden "It brings everyone together, they're helping each other, supporting each other, having fun and having conversations."

CHAA staff and friends enjoying the garden

The garden brings together older and younger generations as well, as mothers and grandmother teach younger people about farming and cultivating crops that they have grown themselves. It is a special bonding experience and though this may be a small plot of land, it symbolizes a bigger connection and experience for a community maintaing their  heritage and cultural connections.

Choun, above, proudly shows the beautiful vegetables she helped grow

Photographs taken and edited by S. Nadia Hussain

"Everywhere I Go, My Body Follows"

Loa presenting her storytelling workshop

Everyone has a story. Everyone can be a storyteller. But how do we express our personal stories to others? What are our stories about?

On Saturday March 18th, CHAA advocate Loa Nieumetolu hosted a workshop at the 22nd annual Asian Pacific Islander Issues conference at UC Berkeley. The workshop worked on this idea, the idea of the personal story and how we can all express our tales, visions, identities and backgrounds.

The room of the session was packed with young people, many of them Cal students, but there were also others who ranged in age from grade school students to older adults. Loa engaged everyone in the storytelling process by asking them to think of the meaning of the quote mentioned above "Everywhere I Go, My Body Follows". Some participants felt unsure about the meaning, while others offered up deeply spiritual and philosophical views. The quote was meant to invoke different emotions, ideas and even confusion, but it showed some of the gist of storytelling, the feeling that experience and ideas can be subjective as we make stories and ideas our own.

The session continued to open people up as participants were asked about what it means to be a Pacific Islander. Questions opened up about who exemplifies a pacific islander, Samoans? Tongans? what about Filipinos? There were no answers, but self identification was seen as the most important aspect of this exercise.

As young people moved from their own identity to the meaning behind their names, to the story of their journeys or the journeys of their parents and ancestors, the room filled with the richness of the complex tapestries of immigration, relocation and assimilation. Almost every participant was an immigrant or a child of immigrant parents. Almost all had American names that they used in place of the cultural name they had at home. It was interesting to hear everyone open up about their backgrounds. The diversity and history within these young people was a poignant experience.

Vicky sharing her rhymes

In the relatively short time of 2 hours, there was an abundant amount of sharing. Vicky, who co-hosted with Loa, offered up her spoken word poetry, which conjured up the histories and struggles of her people, as well as her and her families experiences in the United States. When the session ended, there was a feeling that  everyone was a storyteller, this skill was not just relegated to a select few. Stories are the communication of experiences, both real and imagined, and our lives are filled with them. The workshop helped to tap into the surface of our stories and reveal that there is so much to share underneath.

Photographs taken and edited by S. Nadia Hussain

Into the Current: Burma's Political prisoners and Burma Human Rights Day

Burmese leader Nyunt Than, Ko Bo Kyi and Director Jeanne Marie Hallacy

The film Into the Current: Burma's Political prisoners has been making the festival rounds and has recently gone on tour within the US. The film covers the stories of Burmese political prisoners and the constant political upheaval in the country, a country that currently has the longest running civil war in the world.

cultural dancers

Ko Bo Kyi, a Burmese activist, former political prisoner and founder of the first non profit to help Burmese political prisoners and their families, figures prominently in the film. He in fact was a big part of the film, which showed the plight of prisoners and ethnic peoples who faced severe persecution from the Burmese military government.

Many of the refugees from Burma have lived the fear, uncertainty and oppression shown in the film. On March 10, the Burmese American Democratic Association, along with members of the Burmese community held a film screening of Into The Current for their Burma Human Rights Day.  The local Burmese community came out to commemorate human rights in Burma. The day featured speakers, including Ko Bo Kyi, Director Jeanne Hallacy and local Burmese leaders.

CHAA staff New Oo and Sean Kirkpatrick join the event along with community members

Though the situation in Burma is slowly moving forward with visits with the government by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and the recent releases of political prisoners, including some featured in the movie.

There are still over 800 political prisoners in Burmese prisons, and continuos civil wars in different states in Burma. Efforts put forth by films such as Into the Current are helping to push the envelope forward to hope for a free Burma. 

To find out more about the film, go to http://www.intothecurrent.org/

Photos by Ko Ko Ly

CHAA advocate recognized by Consulate of Mongolia in San Francisco

On Tuesday, January 10th, CHAA's Mongolian Community Wellness Advocate was recognized for her community service by the Mongolian Consulate on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Mongolian independence.

The new Mongolian Consulate in San Francisco got in touch with Elma through the Bay Area Mongolian Association, which named her due to the health and wellness work she has done with the community. At her award ceremony, Elma informed the consulate about her personal experiences dealing with health issues within the community. Getting in touch with advocates such as Elma gives the Mongolian consulate and government some ideas as to what the needs of Mongolian diaspora  are so that they may possibly assist and help with community efforts.

Mongolian Independence 90th Anniversary Honor Medal given to Elma for her service 

CHAA is very proud of Elma for her reward, we know our advocates are great and it is always wonderful to see them get the recognition they deserve!

Photographs taken and edited by S. Nadia Hussain

My One Year Anniversary at CHAA by Roxanne Wong

I never thought that I would be working this hard…this late in my life. I’m at the age where I should be traveling the world, scaling back my work hours and enjoying my “golden years.”  Instead, as a Realtor in the midst of the real estate market downturn of foreclosures and short sales, I answered a Craigslist Ad for Office Manager at Community Health for Asian Americans…and fell in love. CHAA is a mental health non-profit organization that helps the underserved Asian and Pacific Islander community with therapy, outreach, drug & alcohol rehabilitation, domestic violence…the list is endless. Programs extend to mental health for children and youth, AOD treatment and prevention, cultural, job and family support. I have never encountered this many caring and dedicated people under one organization and I am so proud to be associated with CHAA. There are the Therapists, Psychiatrists, Support Counselors, Interns, Outreach workers and Volunteers who speak a myriad of languages to support Oakland’s extremely diverse and immigrant population. These talented individuals hold sessions that literally transform a client walking through the front door from dazed confusion to a smile and a wave as they exit the front door.

My admiration for CHAA staff and therapists is immense in their ability to listen, calm, understand, guide and uplift….consequently, keeping all of the problems, traumas and events in utmost confidence.

There is an unspoken unity at CHAA of strength, bond, commitment and strife for betterment of the community, of the people and the underdog. I am completely and thoroughly impressed with the way they handle trauma, upset, threats and horrific events our clients face. I am constantly blown away by the obvious distress on the clients faces as they enter CHAA doors, anxious to speak and unburden their hardships to very willing, apt, professional ears as their woes are soothed.

There are heartwarming and profound moments when groups join to discuss violence and safety in the neighborhood, learn how to write a resume, or practice beautiful Burmese dances for the New Year celebration. The Women’s Gardening project produces smiles, cohesiveness and teamwork from Cambodian, Bhutanese and Burmese women cultivating pride and enjoyment along with organic vegetables and fruit. The Women’s Arts and Crafts group convenes weekly at CHAA and the large conference room is converted into a sewing extravaganza of fabric and sewing machines and/or the clicking of knitting needles as women find common ground while working together.  I am brought to tears when a CHAA Outreach Worker holds an event for Earthquake Preparedness with the Red Cross and Cambodian Immigrants from the Community, only to find that the supplies they put away for disaster are eaten because the children are so hungry.  A CHAA employee experiences domestic violence first hand and becomes a National spokesperson for all Women and a 2011 Vagina Warrior winner.  Seminars and discussions around domestic violence and safe havens for women and children are advocated and CHAA employees attend evening meetings after a full day at work to help facilitate.  

The outreach programs are continuous; flu shot vaccines for immigrants to Himalayan Youth Leadership summits, “A Safe Place” walkathon, Pacific Islander Health Fairs, World Refugee Day, Himalayan Fair, Tibetan, Thai, Cambodian & Khmer New Year celebrations, Peace Cranes for Japan, Thingyan Festival are just some of the events. To describe each event is to delve into history, tradition and culture for poignant and significant meaning reaching hearts, bringing familiarity and the essence of “home.”

Our Executive Director and leader Beatrice Lee is beautiful as she is hard working and dedicated managing four offices, always in search of that grant, funding and/or donations to keep our doors open and our services available to many who need us. Our waitlist is now 2 years long and our clients are willing to wait. Assistant Director Sean Kirkpatrick and Clinical Operations Directors Kenneth Kim are the epitome of commitment to the successes of CHAA in every endeavor and every project. I could go on and on about every CHAA worker, Therapist,  Intern and volunteer as weekends, evenings and long work hours are the norm for this establishment and the dedication is profoundly felt by each individual. Today marks my one year anniversary with CHAA and I am so proud, happy and grateful for the opportunity to work with so many giving and caring people in the quest for wellness, productivity and happiness and yes, love for our Community.

-Roxanne

Photograph by Sean Kirkpatrick

Karen Fundraising Concert

Hackett,  a popular Karen singer and teen heartthrob, serenades the crowd

The Karen people have faced and are still facing severe persecution in Burma for decades. In recent years, many have found their way to Oakland as refugees. The Karen community in Oakland is active, holding concerts, cultural events and celebrations. Oftentimes these events present a great fundraising opportunity as money raised often goes back into the community, a community that has faced many barriers and struggles in Oakland.

Karen teens enjoying the concert

On Saturday,  January 7, 2012, the Karen Community hosted a concert in Daly City, CA showcasing the Klo & Kweh music team, a well known group of rock/pop Karen singers from Burma. The crowd was ecstatic to see them, as enthusiastic audience members went on stage individually to bestow flower wreaths upon the artists during performances. The artists donned a mix of traditional garments with modern twists and sang alongside their Karen band.

flower wreaths to honor to the performers

Nwe, Oo, CHAA's Burmese Wellness Advocate attended the event and expressed the joy that the local Karen community experiences when they are able to enjoy these types of performances. It is an escape oftentimes from a difficult life in Oakland, a way to lose themselves in music and song.


Photographs taken and edited by S. Nadia Hussain