Becoming Something Outstanding

Because Choua Thao’s father was a regional chief, he went around the village and saw some Laotian girls attending school. He wanted the same for his five children too; however, there was rude commentary from the villagers such as “she will turn out to be lazy” or “she will go and be a prostitute”.  

Her father remained persistent and sent her to school for eight years. Every morning Choua would leave her house at 6:00 in the morning and walk for two hours to her lessons and then two hours back home. She was strong-willed and went to school. She didn't listen to the mean comments, but she even helped them too. 

“I was sent off to nursing training with another Hmong girl; we were the first ones recruited to the programme in Xieng Khoung. I was fourteen then.” ~Choua Thao June 30, 2010 

After she graduated, she studied to become a nurse. During this time, she learned Western medicine and six different languages. She helped as a nurse during the CIA Secret War in Laos and helped South Vietnam and the U.S. Knowing multiple languages also enabled her to communicate with many other patients and this was an advantage to her. She had more patients and promoted and the Head Administrator. She was put in charge as the Head Administrator of fourteen departments and three hospitals. They would have over 500 patients each day. She worked with the CIA, IVS, and Pop Buell. Pop Buell was an American man who helped the Hmong.