This fall, Biak Par will proudly graduate from the New Roots for Refugees training program. Her journey to this point has not been easy, but it has been one filled with determination and hope.

Born in Hmah Phial, a small village in the forest of Burma, Biak Par is from the Chin ethnic group. She grew up in Myanmar, where she specialized in making peanut oil. After living in a refugee camp for years, she, her husband and two children were resettled by Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas in August 2013. Six years later, she joined the New Root for Refugees training program after learning about it from relatives who were also participants.

 Through the New Roots program, Biak Par has strengthened her farming skills. She has received support in setting up and selling her homegrown produce at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, and at local farmers markets. She is also a farmer participant in the New Roots Farm Share program, which provides subscribers seasonal vegetables and herbs.

“It has helped our family with daily income, and we can help out our family back in Burma,” said Biak Par. “Even if it’s not much, we can provide them with what they need.”

Since resettling to Kansas, Biak Par and her husband have expanded their family to include two more children. In 2020, the couple became U.S. citizens. Her dream is to someday purchase land near her home that she can farm.