This week’s Who’s Who is Hanh Pham. Hanh was born and lived in Vietnam until 1985, when she moved to America with her husband, Yungle, her mother-in-law, and her two boys, Theinle and Thanle. Yungle came over first and then sent for the rest of them in order to escape from the communist regime. “There was no jobs, and no money, terrible for living,” she told me.
In 1987, 23 years ago, Hanh started working in North Dining Hall. Now she cleans DeBartolo Hall during the day shift from 7:00 am until 3:30 pm. Hanh is now a citizen of the United States. I asked Hanh how she likes America. “I like America, its freedom, a job and money and a little education,” she told me with a smile. “It has changed my life. We were lucky to stay alive. So many people die from the ocean, or violence; we were lucky.” The change hasn’t come without hardships, but Hanh’s gratitude for getting out alive with her family still remains after many years.
I asked her what the hardest thing about living in South Bend is. “It’s cold,” she said with a laugh, “but we are used to it by now.” Hanh, who has been able to take GED classes through Notre Dame, has found it hard to learn English. “It is so difficult to write, not liking speaking it.” Plus, things just “come in and out when you’re older,” she told me as she motioned with her hands from one ear to the other.
“How’s working for Notre Dame?” I asked her. “I like working here; there is pension and education, and free tuition for my sons.” Hanh’s youngest son Thanhle graduated from Notre Dame a few years ago and is now teaching young people in Las Vegas. Thanle would say, “I don’t need money, just to help people.” Hahn spoke proudly of her boy: “He is a good speaker, and has a big heart.” Both of Hanh’s sons are fluent in Vietnamese and English. Theinle, Hanh’s oldest, works in Chicago as an IT consultant for an online education program. Hanh and her husband, Yungle, are very proud of both their sons.
Hanh said she likes working in DeBartolo with so many students. “They say hi and thank you for cleaning sometimes. My boss is very nice, very good to me, and she cares so much for the beauty of the building and the students,” she commented.
Hanh’s boss is Sheila Adkinson, who has worked for Notre Dame for 29 years and has been the building manager of DeBartolo for 11 years. Hanh’s gratitude was contagious, making me appreciative of all Sheila and Hanh do to make our education possible.
Hanh’s advice to the students was this: “Don’t waste time or life here; save energy for the world. Study hard; have a good job. Honor your parents. And watch out not to drink too much. Life is beautiful. Enjoy it.”
Kelly Mason is a senior theology-philosophy major. Contact her at kmason@nd.edu.
