Bao came to Wausau as a refugee. With little English, no formal education and 4 children, she made a decision to learn everything she could in an effort to help the other Hmong refugee women she knew. She learned English very quickly and then went on to get her GED and childcare license.
Hmong women are in particular need of help because the Hmong community is very patriarchal. Hmong men make all the decisions and often neglect the needs of Hmong women. Bao has stepped up for the women who are unsupported in her community. Her goal in learning English was to act as a translator for the many women who are working to support their families and can't take the time to learn English.
Bao provides care for the children of women who are working 2 jobs, helps children with their homework and picks children up from school. Bao has 6 children of her own, yet every day she gets up at 6:30 and goes to another family's home to get the kids ready for school because their mother is working first shift. She also serves as a mentor for American and Hmong childcare providers, training them to deal with cultural differences.
In addition, Bao has taken tax preparation courses and provides free tax preparation for Hmong women in need. She also serves as a liaison and translator for newly employed Hmong women who speak limited English.
Bao has learned the social service system and is a resource and referral person for anyone who needs her. She has become friends with non-Hmong people and comes to them with the issues facing the families she helps. These relationships have helped many Hmong women get jobs, food, and housing. She makes the connections between the cultures and both sides benefit.
Bao does not look to advancing her education to benefit herself. Instead, she does it knowing it will benefit others. Bao doesn't ever see this as a burden. She believes it is her responsibility as a human to share her time and talents. She does not get paid, yet commits her life to helping the neediest of needy in her community. Bao leads her life in a way we should all aspire to. Bao is my hero.
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