How Hmong can help each other and become an economic power.



The Hmong has been persecuted throughout history but especially cruel since the rise of the communist government in 1975. Thirty years later others are still bent on the Hmong’s extermination as reported by Amnesty International’s public statement dated May 4, 2006, “Laos: Massacre of Hmong Women and Children”, where government troops are accused of killing mostly Hmong women and children while they were foraging for food north of Vang Vieng. The reality is that while it is important for agencies such as Amnesty International to focus onto these crimes against humanity, in truth they cannot do anything to effect changes.



The numerous Hmong blogs on the internet asked the question,” What can we do to stop this atrocity?” The answer is simple. The Hmong in the United States need to be made aware that economic clout is the key. In today’s world, knowledge and money is power. Individually, Hmong are powerless. However, united, the Hmong residing in the western world have great resources at their disposal.



The CIA’s 2005 estimated statistical data for Laos shows an average GDP – Per capita is $1,900.00 with 40% of the population living below the poverty level. The government operates on an annual budget of $319.3 million and an expenditure of $434.6 million, a deficit of $114.8 million. They have a current account balance of -$58.35 million (2005 estimate). They export approximately $375 million and import about $541 million, a deficit of $166 million (2005 estimate). They have an external debt of $2.48 billion (2001 estimate) and have received around $243 million in economic aids (2001 estimates). Their military expenditure has been reduced to $11.4 million (2005 estimates) and is expected to continually degrade. The Laotian government is broke.



Thailand, once one of Hmong’s greatest war-time allies fighting against communism, now is tuning its back on the Hmong and the reason is simple, greed. The Thais have become Laos’ biggest trading partner; Laos imports 60% of their commodities from Thailand.



In the US there are approximately 300,000 Hmong, many with disposable incomes. If the Hmong were to form a non-profit entity funded entirely by donations with the single purpose of providing financial and economic assistance to the Laotian Hmong, the impact would be phenomenal.



If every Hmong in the United States donates $2 per month, the price of a Big Mac, in one month the account would be worth $600,000. For example, donation for a family of five would be $10 per month, collectively, in one year, the balance would be worth $7.2 million and in five years $36 million before interest. This money then can be dispersed as needed for economic aid directly to Laotian Hmong in the form of grants, low interest and/or no interest loans. There would be chicken farms, pig farms, coffee plantations and all sorts of business sprouting up in northern Laos. With their prosperity, they will gain strength and respect.



The foundation can be set up so that donors can make direct deposits from anywhere in the world. The Board of Directors cannot withdraw any funds except for administrative expenses that may not exceed 10% of the total revenue. The book will remain open for all donors to view. Once a sufficient amount has been collected then an award procedure can be implemented to assure that the money gets into the hands of Hmong in Laos. In the end, Hmong are the only one that can be relied on to help each other. The UN and other agencies are too busy coddling each other to provide any real assistance. History has proven time and time again for this to be true.



Leave the grumbling to the diplomats. Once the spot light is off, they will soon forget anything happened. Hmong as a group needs to silently take back their pride by joining force. There is a Hmong stigma that we can't cooperate with each other and be successful. In 1987, former Wyoming Republican senator Alan Simpson publicly declared that Hmong families were incapable of integrating themselves into American culture.



I firmly disagree. “Today, thousands of Hmong-American citizens have earned college degrees. In their homeland, most have worked as farmers in isolated areas. In America, many are now physicians, lawyers, and university professors. Others have become shopping mall owners, ginseng producers, chicken farmers, and restaurateurs--more than 100 of them in the state of Michigan alone. Although the Hmong did not have a written language until the 1950s, Hmong-Americans are now publishing short stories and poetry. The first Southeast Asian refugee to be elected to a state legislature in the United States was Mee Moua, a Hmong-American woman from Minnesota.” (Source of information: Marc Kaufman, "American Odyssey," Smithsonian, September 2004, pp. 84-92)


In the short time since arriving in the US, Hmong children made vast improvement in their scholastic achievements. Assessing the numbers recently released by the St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS), it is easy to get excited by the results measuring academic indicators such as standardized attendance, the graduation rate and test score.

Hmong students attend school at a higher rate, topping the attendance trend with 94%. More importantly, the number of Hmong students who are graduating in four years has risen above 70% while the number of students continuing in high school is slightly above 90%, improving on their own numbers by 10% since 2002. Test scores have also significantly increased. Measuring the 2005 the 11th grade MCA Math performance, the Hmong are exceeding the district by nearly a 5% higher rate. (Source Hmong Today)

“In the business sector, despite their roots in an extremely underdeveloped part of Asia and relatively recent migration to the United States, the Hmong small business owners appear to have well-developed access to credit; that is, their utilization of credit from formal financial institutions is largely comparable to that of white-owned businesses. Moreover, Hmong and white business owners have similar views on the barriers or obstacles posed by their access to credit. Focus group discussions with local community leaders and commercial banks indicate that unique lending strategies (for example, employing Hmong loan officers and being active in Hmong community affairs) may be partially responsible for the well-developed credit access of the Hmong entrepreneurs.” (Source Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis)

We are becoming successful because we have been persecuted all our lives. We appreciate the little things that others ignore and we are very harsh on ourselves. We care about the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters, we honor those who have sacrificed and died for us, and I know that we can make a difference. Our salvation will be determined by our ability to cooperate and act collectively as a group.


Let us translate our individual success into an economic powerhouse; you don’t have to be a millionaire to make this happen. Just $2 per person per month would raise Hmong’s economic status to par in Laos without incurring any debts.



To kick this off, I will be the first to make three $100 grants to three Hmong families in Xieng Khouang province (a sizeable amount of money for that region, about a year worth of wages for a Hmong farmer) that wants to start a small business. No strings attached, when these families can repay me, I will use the money to help another three families, if they can’t pay me back, I will understand. When the results are seen, I’m positive that other Hmong in the US will be willing to take the same risk as myself to improve the condition in Laos. Most people just need an opportunity. Will you join me?



Good, bad or indifferent I want to hear from you.

P.S. I am aware of the trust issues with past non-profit organizations that were less than honorable in their dealings. The good news is that one the most well known Non-profit organization headed by VP has just recently been shut down by the IRS. Past activities of these foundations have left a sour taste for the Hmong community and created plenty of naysayer. I just want to remind everyone that we are a new generation of Hmong and we need a starting point. Therefore I invite everyone to be a part of this... this way you will have a voice in the process.

You didnt write this.

this is funny people always say about collecting and giving money but the point is that the one who collects the money always keeps it for himself instead of giving it to the hmong ex VAN PAO...LOL

Thank you for your input. Your impression of the proposed project is not a big surprise, given the track records of previous non-profit organizations. It will take some individual success to show the Hmong community that there are truly some good intentions out there. I invite you to be part of this so that you have a hand in the project. If you can’t trust yourself, who else can you trust? As I alluded to, there will be plenty of naysayer. But as we all know, naysayer has never affected positive changes. I appreciate your opinions and encourage more suggestions.

I'm doing a similar foundation..yeah......anyone interested please PM me for the address to send your money to....cash only please


KIDDING!


Hey man, where did you get those statistics...its kinda neat....

Good luck in your effort! Is your organization going to make itself known in any large Hmong events??

Lilasiankid, here is a link to the CIA’s facts on Laos http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/la.html. As you can see from the statistics provided, the Laotian government is in dire need for money. Like I said, knowledge is power; education is the key to our people’s salvation. Please take a look at my other blog, “Building a library in Nong Het” I intend to put books and computers in front of Hmong students in the most remote part of Laos. I need your help to get this project started. Please ask any me any question for clarification.

What are you saying? They murder thousands of our people and we should help bail them out? Only fools would help. If you have money, I suggest investing in the country you're residing.

^ i think im with u on this one hahahaha
@ctj - like u say "GREED" many hmong these day will not even donate a penny due to that. Romanaly also point out one organization like GVP, that will lowered the % of the people who will donate.

I am NOT interested in propping up any Government. What I am saying is that my love for the Hmong people is greater than my hatred of the Government. All I care about is giving a new generation of Hmong kids an opportunity to have a better life than their parents. I don’t care about the politics that I cannot control. The status quo of fear and hatred over the past thirty years has done nothing to advance the Hmong in Laos while education has propelled the Hmong in the US into the twentieth century.

Brothers and sisters, I also feel the pain, war does horrible things to people that are unexplainable and I don’t even try to pretend to understand how each and everyone of us feel.

But unless we have an army and an air forces hidden somewhere in our backyard then we need to find a better way to help. We have two choices, we can collect money and buy some military hard ware and send it to the resistance in Laos, and yes they will kill some government forces here and there. But ultimately they will be on the run for another 30 years living in the jungle wondering when the next shipment of arms will come to their rescue. Or we can take a chance on peace, become educated and become an economic power.

Easier said than done. I agree with you, we should do something, but there are a ton of technicalities that must be addressed in undertaking something like this because it's an international endeavour. I think your best bet would first to partner or get the help of a well known international organization because that will give you legitimacy and resources. At the very least, you can get the attention of organizations that have the capacity to execute change. Furthermore, if you get involved with a large international non profit, you can gain valuable skills when you do decide to start a non profit. The US' requirements for starting a non profit are no joke as there are a lot that goes into it.

Another option that I think you should try out and get in touch with college students. Go to any college campus and it's buzzing with groups of people who are interested in human rights. In addition, you might even meet professors who have a lot of knowledge who can offer important advice. For example, if there is an expert about Laos, they talk to you how your non profit will fit or not fit in the structure of the government there. Again, it comes back to legitamacy. People are skeptical these days because of all the scams and what nots out there so you must establish not only your creditability but also that you have a comprehensive plan. I'm no expert, in fact far from it, but I'll do some research because I also plan to one day start something or get involved with something.

Bests.

Raspberry, I know that it won’t be easy; however, even the longest journey begins with a single step, and sometimes a small one at that. I am glad to hear that you too believe that something needs to be done and that you are willing to research a solution.

I am aware of the obstacles involved in starting a non-profit organization. In the past I have successfully established a 501 ( c) 3 organization. I have worked with various non-profit organizations, including forming an alliance with the Points of Light Foundation head by Ret. General Colin Powell. Because of this I am confident in my ability to proceed.

You are correct in your assumption that the first step is to establish a partnership with a proven international organization. I have done just that. I am partnered with the Library of Laos Foundation. This Foundation has an excellent track record of completing projects and is well connected in SE Asia. The ground work has already started.

I will take your advice and share my idea with the various Hmong Higher Education School clubs.

Please take a look at my Library of Nong Het blog on this site and let me know what you think. As a friend of mine said, the heart will follow when the proof is in the Pudding. This is a step toward success. I hope that I have answered your questions, if not, please let me know.

I'm still new to this site. . . where can I find your blog? I can probably get a lot more questions from there instead of clogging up this discussion forum. . . Thanks.

You don't know communism in Laos so to start something like this would be considered as a threat and would be disastrous, it will only make things worst. Look at the hmong missionaries and learn from them.

By the way, what can hmong turn up with economics, what goods?

I am in the process of contacting Hmong students studying in Laos and Thailand and will have a better idea of the economic programs that would benefit the area. I will keep you posted as I know more. However, some preliminary ideas consists of, coffee plantations, healthcare clinics, bamboo furniture productions, ect.

Damn YOUr smart...Well, there is such thing as the Peace Corps...it gives more than just the right to go help them. The Peace Corps is there to help in anyway possible through peace

Ok, I'm starting to see the big picture now... So in helping to give them a better education and economic support/development, you're not only helping them(including the tyrant) but yourself as well. It's a win-win situation which runs on greed rather than morality and ethics. Your organization could careless about human rights but look forward to split a piece of your cash crops. Any organization in the world with the right mind would favor economic sanction for countries such as this one. It seems you would rather forget and pretend those horrible events in history has never happened, but smiles, shakes hands with the tyrant, and look forward to your business ventures. I personally don't think that this would be the right time to do business.

For me, this project is purely altruistic; it is about the collective effort of a group trying to help each other. I have no monetary interest in this. If wealth was my concern, there are easier ways to make money then to subject myself to the wrath of an emotional and political hot bed.

However, as a safeguard for anyone involved in this program, the by-laws must specify that the book remains open for all donors and more importantly, no one person may have sole right to the decision making process and that no more then 10% of the revenue may be used for administrative purposes.

From 1975 to just recently, an economic sanction was placed on Laos. For almost thirty years, minorities were thrown into the stone ages with literacy rate sinking to 66%. More sanctions will only continue to hurt minorities, as the lions will always get their shares irregardless.

Contrary to what you may believe, I will never forget the inhumanity that my people suffered. This program that I am proposing only has their best intentions in mind. Please let me know if you have anymore concerns.

like this is actually gonna happen. So useless. If this would work you would work at some high ranked job already.

Mangafan2, I HAVE traveled the spectrum of the corporate ladder. I addition, I am an entrepreneur by heart. I have started several successful businesses. But this tread is not about me, it is about our collective efforts to help each other.

I challenge you check back with me in a year as I have initiated this project by working with the Library of Laos Foundation to build the first Library in Nong Het, Laos. In one year, you will be able to chat via the Internet with Hmong children in the most remote part of Laos. This mission will be won with one project at a time.

Just wanted to throw in encouragment as there are many negative people (no surprise there.) Change has to start somewhere, and I applaud those who are actually trying to do something instead of just sitting around criticizing other people. If you must give criticism, give CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. If not, then stop being so negative because that's counter productive. For those of you who are working to create some positive change, keep it going. They say that there are two types of peoples in the world. One look at that world as it is and ask why? That one is not proactive. The other envision what could be in the world and think why not? That one is proactive.

WOW...this is very interesting...and RASPBERRY...i really like what you have to say...and CTJ...what you are doing is AWESOME...whenever I get the chance to read through your blog ( I mean...very thoroughly) I'll surely message you...

by the way...where can i read your blog?

Thank you for your kind words, raspberry and morHX. This program is being initiated with the libaray at Nong Het (if you have not had the chance yet, please go look at the thread). I believe that there are many out there who also have faith in the power of knowledge. If you are reading this and would like more information or to contribute, please visit www.libraryoflaos.org.

At this time, I am not asking anyone for a large some of money., just $2 per month, the amount of change found between cushions of your sofa. This sum makes it reachable for everyone. In addition, you may stop donating at anytime if you feel the library foundation is not living up to its mission. I will keep everyone updated on a quarterly basis.

I would like to thank all of those who have responded to this thread and to those who have silently viewed this proposal. I ask that each of you tell five friends about this blog so that they may judge for themselves. This small pebble will start a ripple that will unite us. Let’s take that leap of faith

I believe you're giving us the "Bush Talk". There's always alter motives to drive an organization claiming such. In fact, that's what the laotian will say, "they got Bush's ideology..." just as the past has, "They got General Vang Pao's brain..."

1. hmongs have to stop hating each other.
2. stop being so freakin greedy
3. stop being so selfish
4. quit taking advantage of each other
and
5. stop talking crap about each other behing each other's back which causes problem

until then, we have no chance...