All posts tagged: Portland

Lao-Diaspora-of-the-Week: Phoutsavanh Nang Dunn

This week’s featured Lao diaspora is Phoutsavanh Nang (Nonntharath) Dunn, better known as “Nang”. She is an Ultra Marathon Runner, the Founder of VillageRun Foundation, a community cooking instructor and her most proud title, Mom; of three children. Nang was born in a re-education camp in Attapeu, Laos; where she grew up in for 12 years. Her family of 13 fled Laos in 1986, after being released from the camp. Nang’s family finally resettled in Oakland, California in 1988. In 2011, Nang and a small group of her running friends formed VillageRun Foundation to promote health and fitness through running events. Funds raised are used to help build awareness and educational programs in Laos. In 2013, Nang led a three-woman ultra marathon relay spanning 200 kilometers, covering three provinces in three days from Pakse to Attapeu, called Run Laos Challenge. Nang’s article “Returning Home After 20 Years” was published in the Discovery Laos magazine in 2009. Currently, Nang is working on her memoir entitled Running Home which is expected to be released this Fall. Nang also teaches …