It is with heavy hearts, we share the passing of Van lang Nei, a Des Moines Public School student who attended Merrill Middle School. Her family remembers her for her smile, willingness to help, and care for her siblings. Van Nei, her parents Thian Duh Kim and Dawt Tha Hlei Par, and two siblings settled in Iowa from Burma in 2009. Since that time, her family connected with Burma Family Focus advocates at EMBARC to find a community with other Burma refugees and immigrants in central Iowa. 

Van Nei loved her family and felt safe with them. Even though she did her best to overcome her trauma of being bullied in school and battling mental health illness, the pain was too difficult, and she died by suicide.

EMBARC is accepting donations on behalf of Van Nei’s family to support funeral costs, essential bills and other expenses, including seeking counseling for Van Nei’s family, as they grieve for their sister and daughter. Please join us in surrounding this family with love and support during this difficult time. 

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  at (800)  (273)  (8255).