Phay Vannath : Dead or Alive?
Author: Vione Schow
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.
URL: www.cedarfort.com
Copyright: 2002
Vione Schow has written a moving story, based on actual experiences, of a Cambodian refugee’s search for her kidnapped twin sister. Vanna was about twelve years old when her parents and brother were murdered by Khmer Roughe soldiers in Cambodia. As the remaining three children attempted to escape, Phay Vanneth, Vanna’s identical twin sister, was grabbed by soldiers and taken away. Vanna realized with terror that she could not help her twin; she had to protect her eight-year-old sister and get the child out of her war-torn country. With broken hearts, she and her sister survived, hidden in the wilderness for months before working their way towards the border. They found an aunt and eventually came to Utah to settle and begin a new life.
Two years after arriving in Utah, Vanna has just graduated from high school and is going to work, the sole support of her sister, her aunt and a nephew. She will be working for a relief organization that helps other refugees come to the United States and learn to live and succeed as productive residents and citizens. Through this medium, the author is able to show the challenges faced by refugees, many of whom witnessed the murders of their families, survived unspeakable hardships and abuse, and are now confronted with a world in which the language is strange, staircases are baffling, and refrigerators are magical. Many who were farmers had never been to school. Some move ahead with excitement, others are afraid, and still others are rebellious, but all are survivors.
Although I was not yet a member of the church when these events were occurring, I remember reading articles about the work of the Church in assisting refugees, and this book shows how much of the work occurred. Vanna is not a member of the church when the book begins, although she does eventually convert, but she is placed in constant contact with the church through the services provided to refugees.
It is Vanna’s search for her beloved sister, however, that captures our hearts. She feels that her sister is alive, but not well, with that connection that twins so often have with each other. She sends letters and photos to various refugee camps, hoping that her sister managed to escape alone. If she is still in Cambodia, it will be nearly impossible to find her. In the meantime, a man who wants to win Vanna’s love is also searching, and together, they locate a woman who may be the missing sister-or may be an imposter hoping to be sponsored.
Phay Vanneth is a fascinating look into the world of the Cambodian refugee during a complicated time in our history and into the work of the church at this time. In addition, we learn of the special challenges faced by those refugees when they began to investigate the church. They had to choose between Buddha and God, adding an additional layer of work to the process of gaining a testimony. The characters are realistic and balanced and the author, who served as Relief Society President to the Cambodian Branch in West Valley City, Utah, has a unique perspective on the struggles faced by these courageous people. Her respect for them shines through the book. Because so many refugees face prejudice from Americans, this book is a valuable tool in teaching adults and teenagers to have empathy for the tremendous odds our newcomers face, and what they coped with just to arrive here alive. I was particularly touched by the story of two children who became unable to speak after witnessing the murder of their sister, and their miraculous healing from a priesthood blessing before they were even members of the church.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the world of Cambodian refugees and their role in our church’s and nation’s history.
by Terrie Lynn Bittner
