This small bag filled with Buddhist amulets and pendants were described by Elder L10 as reminders of the spiritual protections he feels help him survive. When Elder L10 swam in the Mekong River to escape Laos into Thailand, he only had these amulets tied around his neck and the clothes on his back.

“These make me lucky, make me successful and protect me from the bad things who want to kill and destroy me. Some of these were my fathers who give to me, and some over 100 years old. When I have this, I feel comfortable. I am not scared about anywhere I go. If you do good, and have this, you are gonna survive.”