La Rer’s Story

Hey all! I am excited to announce my “Making Huron Home” project! I have people who have moved to Huron from other countries come into the studio, get their portrait taken, and then fill out a questionnaire all about themselves and their country! If you or someone you know would like to be a part of this, please have them message me! We are starting off with the beautiful La Rer!

1. What is your name?

My name is La Rer. My family call me by MuLa Uh which mean “ ugly girl “

2. Write down a few facts about yourself. I’m the eldest daughter of 6. I came to America in 2008. We came to Phoenix Arizona for one year then to South Dakota. I attended Huron high school and graduated 2013. I have 2 sons who were born in 2013 and 2017. I work as a jailer at Beadle county and a court translator. I speak 4 languages which are English, Burmese, Poe Karen, and Sgaw Karen.

3. What country are you from?

my parent are from Burma but I’m from Thailand

4. Tell me some things about your country. Thailand is a beautiful land with great weather. It has many delicious tropical fruits. You can go sightseeing almost anywhere because there are many landscapes. The different activities you can do are mountain seeing, boating on a canoes, and chase chickens

5. Why did you move to the United States? My family came to America for better opportunity in life and better future

6. How long have you lived in the United States?

I lived in USA for 16 years

7. Why did you move to Huron?

I moved to Huron because my brother lived here before us and because phoenix Arizona didn’t have that many job opportunities for non-English speaker. When we came to Huron, Dakota provision were offering jobs for non English speakers

8. What are some differences between Huron and the country you are from?

The difference between the two countries would be the weather, people, culture, and technology

9. What are some major culture shocks that you felt when you first moved to Huron? One major culture shock would be the way people here address the teachers. Here they are addressed by Mrs or Mr. , back in Thailand, you call them my teacher

10. What are some things you miss about your country?

I miss the weather, the fresh fruits, and my family back home

11. What are some things you do not miss about your country?

I do not miss not having Air conditioner, internet, and corrupt government

12. What are some things that are unique about growing up in your country?

I lived in a refugee camp so whenever it rain the kids would go play in the rain all together

13. Any fun words or phrases common in your country that would not be common here? Wee lee wee Lee, it is used to tease children

14. What is something you love about Huron?

The close community. People in Huron help out each other and small businesses

15. Write down any other thoughts about moving to Huron and/or about your country? I’m happy that I moved to Huron and found a great community

16. Anything else at all that you find important to share.

In Thailand, we have a water festival where we splash water at each other which we celebrate in the month of April. We splash water on each other to wash away bad luck and sins, hoping that we come into the new year with good luck.