On March 30, FIRM hosted 60 eighth grade students from a private school called the San Francisco Friends school. Students participated in a cultural education activity that included a rotation through 5 different areas. The areas were music, Hmong ball tossing, sticky rice, Hmong/Lao culture (dress, work, family, etc.) and the explanation of the Hmong/Lao refugee journey from Laos. Students also participated in a Lao traditional dance class taught by our very own Tout Tou Bounthapanya. In true FIRM fashion, the evening was completed with a dinner comprised of Hmong and Lao cuisine!
Executive Director, Zachary Darrah says, “This group has partnered with FIRM for several years to help their students become more culturally competent and expand their understanding of the refugee story. They were a wonderful group of students who were really engaged in the activities and of course, loved the food!” FIRM looks forward to a continued partnership with the San Francisco Friends School well into the future.