Janet Vanniroth’s step-grandfather, Chea Hem. He had been a monk but disrobed to marry her grandmother after her divorce. Janet lived with her grandparents before the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975. She was very close to Chea Hem.
Janet Vanniroth’s father, Hien Vanniroth, at Site Two refugee camp in Aranyaprathet, Thailand, 1982 (appx. 50 yrs old). He was a military physician during the Khmer Republic under Lon Nol, living in Oddar Meanchey Province. He was evacuated to the U.S. in April 1975 and lived in Long Beach, CA, where he worked in the coroner’s office until 1982 when he joined Prince Sihanouk’s FUNCIPEC party at Site Two. He returned to Phnom Penh when Cambodia reopened and was appointed Minister of Culture and Religion probably in 1993. He died in Phnom Penh in 2004.
Janet Vanniroth in the dance class at Chonburi, Thailand, 1981. Janet is 5th from the left wearing a peal necklace and smiling. She is standing next to the dance teacher, in the yellow blouse. Janet recalls that most of the girls were sponsored to the U.S. but she was not able to get addresses to stay in touch. She saw the teacher once in Long Beach, CA.
Janet Vanniroth at the refugee processing center in Chonburi, Thailand, 1980. This is her official photo documenting that her sponsorship to the U.S. has been approved. The board has Janet’s full Khmer name: Pachrong Vanniroth.
Janet Vanniroth’s mother, Vannsath Nguon, at the refugee processing center in Chonburi, Thailand, 1980. This is her official photo documenting her sponsorship to the U.S. has been approved.
