Pray Reh and Bu Meh

PRAY REH and BU MEH BLOG (Bio)

This month we’d like to introduce two of Refugee Resources’ top students, Pray Reh and Bu Meh. These two remarkable students have been a part of Refugee Resources since the program first launched at Sunchase in the summer of 2012. With books and blankets in hand, volunteer groups would meet underneath a tree every Saturday morning, and Bu Meh and Pray Reh would arrive every week, ready to learn!

Now in the 9th and 6th grade, when we began, the brother and sister duo were in 2nd  and K5 grades. While Prey Reh is a servant leader to those around him, Bu Meh brings to Reading Circles a gentle spirit. Both have demonstrated consistency so important to moving forward in their literacy skills, and they have been vital role models for other children by making this program a priority in their lives. Their hard work, diligence and tenacity has paid off as they are both reading at the 11th grade level. Bu Meh is one that is always quick to ask questions, dive deeper and offer a quick hug and word of encouragement to those around her. Pray Reh has come alongside one of our youngest ones entering the program. His determination to learn and not give up is remarkable. What a blessing they are to each of their mentors who pour into each of them as they grow to be the readers and leaders they are and have become. And needless to say, without the constant support their parents provide, Prey Reh and Bu Meh could not be where they are today. We are grateful for them as well!

We thought it might be fun to get to know Prey Reh and Bu Meh a bit better, so we asked them a few questions. Please enjoy hearing what they have to say!

Interviews

Prey Reh

Q: What have been some of the greatest adjustments/challenges in your resettlement process?

Pray Reh: The greatest challenge that my family faced was talking to people in English because we spoke Karenni. It was challenging because we did not know what to say. My mom had to work a lot and often had to sleep at her work, so we rarely saw her. My two older sisters took care of us.

Q: What is a funny story that you would like to share related to your resettlement story?

Pray Reh: It was the first time our family had seen ice and snow, and I watched as my sisters slip and fall trying to walk on the ice. Then I tried to walk and also fell.

Q: What do miss most from your home country or your host country?

Pray Reh: I really miss belonging to a community of people who speak my language and share my culture. At first, I really missed my father who had to stay behind, but later he was able to come to America after helping his family.

Q: What one or two people have been most important to you in helping you to adjust to life in America?

Pray Reh: A friend of mine moved to Indiana before we did, and he helped us get settled in our new home. His family called the office at our apartment to have our air conditioning fixed. There was also a woman who took us to church every Sunday as well as to fun places like the museum.

Q: French fries, ice cream, or hamburgers? If you had to choose an American food, which would you choose?

Pray Reh: These are all good foods, but if I had to choose just one it would be the hamburgers because it’s the only one I did not have in my home country.

 Bu Meh

Q: What have been some of the greatest adjustments/challenges in your resettlement process?

Bu Meh: One of the greatest challenges was that my parents didn’t know any English. They didn’t know where to go and couldn’t ask for directions.

Q: What is a funny story that you would like to share related to your resettlement story?

Bu Meh: I went to a new school and we would drink Capri Suns and one day I poked a hole through the bottom and had to drink it from the bottom because I couldn’t tell my teachers in English.

Q: What do miss most from your home country or your host country?

Bu Meh: I miss meeting my relatives in Thailand and I want to go see my mom’s culture and where I grew up. I would want to go see the mountains.

Q: What one or two people have been most important to you in helping you to adjust to life in America?

Bu Meh: When I was about 3 years old in Indianapolis, I lived next to a boy that spoke English. He would speak to me in English and I would slowly pick up what he was saying. Now I only speak English and I can’t read or write in Karenni.

Q: French fries, ice cream, or hamburgers? If you had to choose an American food, which would you choose?

Bu Meh: My favorite ice cream is cookies and cream and I would combine it with chocolate. One time my mentor took me and my friends to get gelato.

Bio by Alysa Marx

Pray Reh interviewed Brad Blanchard Pray Reh

Bu Meh interviewed by Megan McGraw Bu Meh

Editor: Michelle Matthews

Pictures by Lindsey Senn

Alysa Marx