Refugees Work Hard

Lai Len Thang at World Relief Spokane

Through hard work, perseverance and patience, Lai Len Thang joined the ranks of Spokane’s entrepreneurs two year after arriving in the United States from a refugee camp in Malaysia.

Lai Len and his family fled their home country of Myanmar to escape its military dictatorship. Lai Len left first, spending six years working in Thailand while his family stayed behind in what was formerly known as Burma in Southeast Asia. Eventually, he and his family were able to escape to Malaysia, where they stayed five years before arriving in the United States in 2007.

In Spokane, Lai Len enrolled in the SNAP Financial Access Individual Development Account program, a matched savings account aimed at training and motivating clients to achieve prosperity.  He saved for a year in the program and was able to purchase a janitorial franchise to increase his household income.

“There are many opportunities to do legal work if you are a hard worker,” said Lai Len, who has become a role model in the community. 

Greg Franson at a business training

In addition to running his own business, Lai Len is also an interpreter at World Relief. He speaks five languages and regularly helps translate SNAP workshops held at World Relief. When asked how many jobs he works, Lai Len smiled brightly.

“I used to work three jobs,” he said. “I only have to work two now.” 

The story was submitted by:

Greg Franson

Business Development Specialist

SNAP Financial Access

212 S. Wall

Spokane, WA 99201

(509)456-7174 ext 110

Fax (509)456-7170

www.snapaccess.org

franson@snapwa.org

Creating Opportunities-Building Community