Lao Script (PC only)Channapha Khamvongsa has been a tireless community activist in the Lao American community. She has worked in the Peace and Social Justice Unit of the Ford Foundation, the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University, the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, The Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholars Program and at the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging in Seattle. In 2004, she founded Legacies of War, a special initiative of Public Interest Projects. She received her master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University. Channapha was six years old when her family fled Laos to the U.S. in 1980. Bakka Magazine had a chance to catch up with her about her work.
What made you first decide to get involved with Legacies of War?
I think like many of us who came to the U.S. at a very young age, I didn’t know about the history of the secret U.S. war or bombing in Laos. I was shocked that Laos is considered the most bombed country in history per capita – a planeload of bombs dropped every 8-minutes, around the clock for 9 years. And worse, the bombs that were dropped nearly 40-years ago are still killing and injuring Laotians everyday.
Cluster bombs also affect millions of villagers in Laos because it hampers food production and economic development. And of course the irony of this incredible history is that few Americans have even heard of Laos or know who Lao Americans are. As I was learning this incredible history, I met someone who in the 1970’s had worked to stop the U.S. air campaigns that were happening all over Southeast Asia, including Laos. He entrusted me with historic illustrations that were drawn by Laotian villagers who had fled the bombings. These were the first testimonials to come directly from those who lived through the bombings – and which were used in Congressional hearings that would expose the U.S. secret bombing of Laos.
As you know, these illustrations are at the heart of the Legacies of War National Traveling Exhibition. But more importantly, these illustrations are a living document, inspiring Laotians to tell their stories and journey from Laos to the U.S. We all have remarkable stories to tell, as individuals and as a community. I hope that Legacies can make a small contribution towards that process.
Are there any new initiatives for Legacies of War you’re particularly excited about for 2009, given the results of this election year?
President-elect Obama was the only presidential candidate to have supported the U.S ban on the production, use, sell and transfer of cluster munitions. So, we are happy about that. However, the U.S. currently refuses to ban these weapons despite the fact that today’s use of these weapons result in 70 percent of the dead or injured being civilians. And even with Obama’s position, he will be entering office having to deal with two current U.S. wars. So, as you can see, a war from 40-years ago isn’t likely to get the same kind of attention. Because of these factors, I think it makes our work more challenging, to get our issues heard, but it also makes our work even more critical. We’ll continue to raise awareness around the country through our programs and advocate for increased U.S. support to Laos.
What would the President’s ideal positions be on UXO, in your eyes?
The U.S. President and government should commit and act on increasing funding support to Laos for UXO clearance, victim assistance, education and redevelopment. It could start with focusing on the highest risk areas, which range in costs – estimated between $150 million and upwards. Regardless, additional funding commitment should be more than the $2.5 million average annual amount it has provided. This is about the same amount they spent daily on the secret war and bombing of Laos during the 9 years.
A Buddhist monk examines one of the leftover bombs from the war.
What have you seen as some of the biggest challenges in your work with the project?
We are working against time. Every day, someone is killed, injured or prevented from using their land for food because of cluster bombs. In the U.S., this issue hasn’t been part of the public consciousness for over 30 years. We are working on all fronts – educating people about the history, providing space for community dialogue and discussion, raising awareness about the UXO problem in Laos today and advocating for increased funding. We are also working in communities with nascent organizations or infrastructure to organize and mobilize, so we are also challenged by this. But our community is at an exciting moment in our history. Many new organizations and leadership have emerged over the last decade, with a renewed sense of commitment to address issues in our U.S. communities and in our former homeland.
What’s been one of the most rewarding moments for you in your work as a community activist?
Any moment when someone says they’ve learned something new and have been transformed by it.
What keeps you motivated?
Knowing that our community has a story to tell and that our stories can make a difference in the world.
For more information about Legacies of War, visit www.legaciesofwar.org