Support M and K's New Start in Laos

Vannhatdy and Manoutham are two Laotian American community members from Rhode Island who were violently ripped away from their families and loved ones, placed into inhumane detention centers, and finally deported to Laos last month.

Vannhatdy and Manoutham families fled Laos in the 1970s while facing bombings in their homeland. Both men were born in refugee camps in Thailand and came to the United States as babies, with no memory of Laos or Thailand. Rhode Island is the only place they have ever called home and where their families reside.

Like many other Southeast Asian refugees, Vannhatdy and Manoutham have faced tremendous hardship and trauma with resettlement. Despite years of living as hardworking and caring sons, fathers, and brothers who have been providing for their families and becoming integral members of their communities, both men were unjustly deported after being kidnapped by ICE. Manoutham and Vannhadty’s kids are left without a father now.

Made refugees once again, Vannhatdy and Manoutham now need our help to get their footing in Laos. With limited ability to speak the Lao language and no funds, the two of them have been struggling to find employment opportunities and pay for rent and daily necessities, including lifesaving medical treatment that Vannhadty requires.

The funds raised in this GoFundMe would go directly towards supporting their living expenses, medical needs, utilities, food, transportation, and employment advancement.

Although Vannhatdy and Manoutham are thousands of miles away, they are still part of our community, and they deserve love, safety, and support as they start a new life in an unfamiliar country.