Reflection of Noy Thrupkaew's Visit

We had a great time last Friday 4-14-17 at the Center with the visiting guest speaker

Noy Thrupkaew, among other visitors.

The meeting begun with a movie " A Good Lie"a movie featuring peace activist and founder of the enough project, John Pendergast. This is the story of the "Lost boys" (immigrant boys now grown up men from Sudan), and their struggles running away from their war torn country for several years ending up in Kakuma camp - Kenya, and eventually being relocated to USA.

This was followed by the opening line and unveiling of the center's podium by our CEO Mr. Gordon Halm who later invited the Guest speaker on the podium. The meeting was well attended and our office space was filled to capacity. The guest speaker Noy, gave a very informative speech on her work and experiences on immigrants, human trafficking and labor exploitation. Attendees had an opportunity to interact and ask her questions. Lunch was served there after as attendees mingled and photos were taken and a bouquet of flowers presented to the guest speaker.

The guest speaker was treated to a community tour of two African business stores both located on Central street in Lowell.

1. Unique You salon - they

specialize in braiding and weaving African hair do's and sell hair weaves and extensions.

2. MJ clothing - they specialize in selling of African attires and accessories and clothes mostly sourced from West Africa and other parts of the world.

The next stop was the Congress woman's office, who was away on official business. We were given a courteous tour of the office by the Congress woman's secretary Vanna Howard. Due to time limitation, we were unable to visit the mayor's office.

-Liz Wando

Please check out the gallery of photos from Noy's visit:

https://www.noy-thrupkaew-vi-1.acclowell.org