Universal truth: Working in a refugee camp showed me that people are the same the world over
The mountain Hmong people lived mostly in western Laos and had an animist philosophy, believing in mysterious spirits in animals and nature.
They helped the Americans in the Vietnam War, and when that conflict ended and the communists took over, they were forced to flee Laos and cross the Mekong River into Thailand.
They were housed in prison-like camps of thousands of people.
The camp clinic I worked in was made of bamboo, and there was a bunk room for me to sleep in, with rats running around in the rafters. They were also a food source.
