1. Intro

   • brief overview of boat ppl

   • cause of mass migration

   • personal connection

2. Departure

   • decision to leave

   • preparation & farewells

3. Journey

• troubles in the sea

• survival stories

4. Arrival

• destination countries/refuge

• acceptance of refugees

• reception & resettlement

5. Challenges & Adaptation

• adjusting to a new life

• overcoming obstacles/assimilation

6. Impact

• legacy of boat people

• personal reflections from family

7. Conclusion

• summarizing the journey

• lessons learned

• why i chose to share this?

• it wasn't like a graceful goodbye like waving off to your friends and family in a titanic movie

• secret plan to depart; no goodbyes/very rushed

• secret exits to avoid getting shot at by communist

• mom told him its his chance to escape, discreetly

What was it like on the boat?

• surrounded by strangers

• isolated; no friend/family until later

• size of boat: fishing boat size

• overcrowded and tight space

Your situation + emotions on the boat?

• cold ass temperature

• no water and not enough food

• seasickness

• isolating feeling; all you see is the vast ocean

• strong waves with storms

• desperate for sign of hope (land) any sign of other ships, military ships, any rescue but tiny chance

• life or death situation; life depended on diesel fuel for boat to run

What was the duration of being at sea?

• escaped during the winter (uncommon and obviously not ideal)

• it took 3 weeks on the boat (unfortunately 1 extra week) compared to an average of 2 weeks when escaping in spring/summer

• no communication from family; no FAX to family until you make it to destination. family back home don't know whether you're dead or alive. Thuan has a younger brother named Thuan too, because family thought my dad did not make it.

What was a silver lining?

• Unlucky about political policies between Vietnam & China in 1979.

• China deport Vietnamese refugees in the late 1970s and early 1980s; led to re-education camp or concentration once deported

Where did you find refuge?

• Hong Kong. 2 years?

perspective 1: dad (Thuan)

perspective 2: his sister (Nhan, pronounced like Yan)

Why?

Thuan's perspective is more intensifying, brutal, and difficult.

Yan's perspective is the opposite, lessening, mild, calm.

My thoughts:

I don't know why that is, even though they were on the same boat. It could have been the age difference.

under construction

if have time, add color.

watercolor would be cool in the future.

• visit Nhan and collect her anecdotal info

• then plan out sketching

• start sketching

The reasons for fleeing varied but included fear of persecution by the communist government, economic hardship, and the desire for freedom and better living conditions.

https://youtu.be/rfVW1hZFMbc?si=cSImtLl1YHRQdR3-