Ngun’s Story

Ngun fled persecution and terror in her native Burma. After running and hiding for years as fugitives in constant fear of being caught, Ngun and her husband finally resettled in Pittsburgh. They had almost nothing when they arrived, and they’ve worked hard to build a new life.

Some things about their adopted homeland are still hard to understand, like the intricacies of the tax system. So the free income tax preparation site that United Way supports at the nearby Family Center has been a big help. Ngun and her husband were thrilled to learn that they were entitled to a refund on their modest earnings. They didn’t know they could get money back. “We have two small children now, and live very simply,” Ngun says. “Now we can afford some new things they need. We put some of the money aside, too, so we can buy a home someday. This means a lot to us.”

Ngun now volunteers as a translator at the site, which is a hub for the refugee community. She appreciates the many hours that tax preparation volunteers from all walks of life contribute to help working families like hers, and she wants to help too.  “I want to help everyone in my community to have their dreams,” she says.