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Planet Portland: Personal journeys of local immigrants

Street Roots
by Street Roots | 2 Feb 2017

Since 2015, Street Roots has been publishing Planet Portland, a periodic series of articles on the personal journeys within Portland's immigrant communities. These are their stories.


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Meet Kilong Ung, who spent four years as a slave laborer in Cambodia 

Ung survived hell before coming to Portland, where he realized his dream of becoming a Royal Rosarian.

 


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Meet Parfait Bassale, a musician from West Africa

He has a unique style of music and storytelling aimed at teaching empathy.

 


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Meet Cristina Castaño Henao, a social worker from Colombia

When Henao brought her talents to Portland, she learned how even in the land of plenty, there are needs.

 


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Meet Thuy Huyen, a Vietnamese refugee crowned Ms. Oregon

Huyen ran for Ms. America on the platform of world poverty, something she knows firsthand.

 


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Meet Dela Moradpour, a translator from Iran

She grew up punk in conservative Tehran, but don't tell Moradpour she was "oppressed."

 


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Meet Apala Barclay, a political cartoonist from Liberia

Before emigrating from Liberia, Barclay was targeted by authorities for his work.

 


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Meet Geovani Rodriguez, a health care worker from Cuba

Rodriguez had thought his days at a detox clinic were over, until he went through the doors once again – this time, to help others.

 

Additional stories from Street Roots:

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The making of an American family

Ram and Purni Chhetri immigrated to the U.S. to give their children a better future – one outside the walls of a refugee camp. Trying to adapt to U.S. culture was awkward for the Bhutanese family – until they met Steve Sieg.

 


A young immigrant's story of empowerment

Giselle Lopez Ixta immigrated to Woodburn from Michoacán, Mexico, when she was 5. The diverse community has fueled her desire to create social justice.

 

Tags: 
Planet Portland, Immigrants
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