PHOTO BY SHARON CEKADA - Der Yang, a former CIA Hmong soldier in hiding at Wat Tham Krabok in early July 2004, shows photos his father-in-law Wa Leng Xiong took of their experience fighting for the Thai government during the early 1990s. They claim the Thai government recruited political refugees like Yang to fight communist forces that posed a threat to Thailand along the Thai-Lao border.

• Refugees prize children's chances for better education
Each weekday morning at 7 a.m., about 1,300 children stream out of the Hmong refugee village at Wat Tham Krabok, most wearing white shirts and brown shorts or blue skirts. July 26, 2004

• Refugees get crash course in U.S. culture
Before the Hmong refugees leave Wat Tham Krabok for the United States, they learn about the history, customs and work habits of the country they will soon call home. July 26, 2004

• Traditional work hones refugees' skills July 26, 2004
• America holds promise July 26, 2004
• From despair springs hope July 25, 2004
• Majesty, misery all in a day at refugee camp July 25, 2004
• Young couple risks all for new opportunities July 25, 2004
• Family fights illness with spirit July 25, 2004