Living Under the Communists
Interviewer: What was it like living during the war?
Bernice: The communists came and took over everything. They made us go to something called a seminar. These seminars were held at their headquarters, and they made us do work there; sometimes from morning until night. You had to chauffeur them around late at night or do chores for them during the day.
Interviewer: Did everyone have to work for them?
Bernice: Everyone had to, even those in the army or in business. Early every morning, the communists would do as they pleased. They played things like drums and music. They woke up everyone and had us do things like clean the streets that people would use as a bathroom. We were forced to do work ranging from two to three hours.
Interviewer: For them?
Bernice: Yes, we were doing all that work for them. People who were teachers, like me, didn’t really teach. We had to go to seminars for most of the day. Then, at night, I got to teach students a little, but I mainly had to garden, water plants, and plant vegetables. For example, they would split us into groups of ten or so people and would force us to farm three fields that were assigned to us. The farms had to be nice and organized.
Interviewer: They told you to do all of this?
Bernice: Yes, when the communists were in power, we were given some of the hardest jobs. They made us do things like raise chickens and pigs for them. Living in a house or building didn’t excuse you from work either.
Interviewer: Did your two sons also work for them?
Bernice: Both of them were enrolled in school at the time. But, when they turned sixteen, they were forced to enlist in the army.
Interviewer: The army? They had to join the communist military?
Bernice: Yes, the army for the communists.
Interviewer: Not the Royal Laos Army?
Bernice: No, they were forced to enlist at age sixteen and were turned into what was called a “little soldier”. They gave you a gun to carry, a long gun.
Interviewer: So these “little soldiers” weren’t sent off to fight in battles or wars right?
Bernice: No, they weren’t told to go to war. Generally, they were assigned to watch and stand guard.
Interviewer: All for the communist’s benefit?
Bernice: Yes, and at night it was hard to sleep. We feared that the communists might come knocking.
Interviewer: What did it mean if they knocked on your door?
Bernice: If they knocked on your door, it usually meant you said something wrong that upset them. The communists would come knocking, asking for a person to take. Sometimes they would kill them. Other times, they would take them to a place to reform their thoughts. It was similar to the place at school were children are sent for punishment, where they are told what is right and what is wrong. They didn’t just take you there to teach you right from wrong but also to work for them. They made you do all different kinds of work. You were never allowed to not be working. They made you cut wood or trees, all kinds of things. If they had any task, they would make you do it. If their yard was messy or unclean, they made adults sweep, clean, and broom everything and anything.