Contributed photos
Kaitlyn Goodwin, Jenny Heikkila Diaz (JHD), Anthony Yovina, Mae Bunseng Taing, James Taing, Natalie Ochoa and Glenda Reyes.
In Hillhouse's library during the Taings' talk.
The following citizen contribution was written and photographed by Hillhouse social studies educators Kate Goodwin and Glenda Reyes regarding a Monday morning visit by Bunseng Taing and his son, James, who spoke with Hillhouse students enrolled in the class Modern World History.
On April 7, James Hillhouse High School Modern World History students and teachers gathered to hear Mae Bunseng Taing speak on his experience in Cambodia’s Killing Fields and as a refugee, and his son James’s experience telling his father’s story.
As a teenager, Taing and his family were forced from their home outside of Phnom Penh to the Killing Fields and experienced forced labor, starvation and torture by the Khmer Rouge soldiers for years.
He escaped to a refugee camp on the border of Thailand and Cambodia; however, Thailand’s view on refugees shifted, and they were no longer welcome.
Taing and thousands of refugees were sent to the mountain of Preah Vihear where they were thrown from its peaks at gunpoint. Taing survived the initial descent, but then had to navigate landmines, starvation and the jungle for months on end. Taing’s story is one of resilience in the face of unspeakable terror.
James Taing knew the importance of telling his father’s story and over five years worked tirelessly to articulate his father’s story in writing and on film. If you would like to know more of Taing’s story, watch Ghost Mountain or read Under the Naga Tail.
Social Studies teachers Kaitlyn Goodwin and Glenda Reyes would like to thank Jenny Heikkila Diaz (JHD), Professional Learning Coordinator for Connecticut’s Council for the Social Studies, for promoting the integration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies within the Social Studies curriculum, introducing them to Taing’s story and for facilitating this talk.
Both Goodwin and Reyes believe it is an honor to hear the Taings speak and to enrich student learning and understanding through this opportunity.
Guests Mae Bunseng Taing and James Taing.
Jenny Heikkila Diaz (JHD), Mae Bunseng Taing, James Taing and Modern World History students in no specific order - Ash A., Jaden A., Zy'nique B., Ciaran B., Issachar B., La'Terria B., Yaneliz C., Alexandra C., Jaiden C., Anthony C., Adam E., Chaunte E., Mariame F., Daniya F., Tyreese G., Javaughn H., Janiya H., Camdyn J., Chrisette K., Mauriah K., Isaiah K., Dionitza M., Aviyon M. Henry M., Dennis M., Jovani P., Iveth Q., Jordan R., Frishta R., Erin T., Elijah T., Camden V., Zilaya W., Spirite W., Treasure W., and Lara W.