Clark Tang’s family in Chonburi, Thailand, c. 1981. From left to right are Clark’s maternal grandmother, You Long; his aunt, Pho Mak; his uncle, Chan Tha Ung; and Clark. They found a sponsor in the U.S. and were transferred from Khao-I-Dang refugee camp to Chonburi for processing. This is an official photo documenting that the family has passed the interview.
Clark Tang at the Khao-I-Dang refugee camp in Thailand, c. 1980. His t-shirt was provided by one of the Christian missions at the camp. Cambodians escaped the country with only the one set of clothes they had worn during the previous four years, so new clothing was highly valued. It was at this time that Clark started to know and accept God, 1980.
Clark Tang and his maternal grandmother, You Long, at the Khao-I-Dang refugee camp in Thailand, c. 1980. She adopted Clark when he was 1 or 2 years old and cared for him as a son (NOTE: in Cambodia it is not uncommon for a family member to become the primary caregiver of an extended family member even if their nuclear family is still living) . His grandmother lost many family members, including three sons, during the Khmer Rouge period. After the Vietnamese entered Cambodia in 1979, she wanted to leave the country. Clark’s mother and father wanted to stay, so, he went with his grandmother to the refugee camps in Thailand.
Clark Tang’s family in late 1974 or early 1975, at a 100 day memorial service in Svay Sisophon for his maternal grandfather, Cheark Ung. Clark’s uncles prepared the paper house at the center of the photo as well as special food and paper money which were all burned as offerings to the deceased and to ensure the well-being of the family’s ancestors.
Funeral of Clark Tang’s grandfather, Cheark Ung, at a temple in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1974. Clark’s family is Chinese and some of the traditional aspects of a Chinese funeral can be seen. Family members chant as part of the final goodbye and offer gifts to the deceased. Blood relatives of the deceased shave their heads. Those with hair may be friends or relations but not blood related.
