Prince George, B.C. – Kim Phuc, ‘The Girl in the Picture,’ shared her message of hope at last night’s 12th annual Dr. Bob Ewert Memorial Lecture and Dinner at the Civic Centre.

Kim Phuc – photo 250News

At the age of nine it was Phuc photographed running naked up a road with her skin on fire in unbearable pain. It was the most iconic photo of the Vietnam War.

Prior to her key-note speech she sat down with local media for an interview which touched on her impressions of the challenges facing the thousands of Syrian refugees recently admitted into this country.

“I relate to them so much because yes, being a refugee myself 24 years ago,” said Phuc. “I know how much hope that I had in that time seeking freedom and I’m so thankful that Canada received me as a refugee.”

However she also remembers how challenging it was when she first arrived in Toronto.

“I went through a very hard time and I was alone with my husband, we had nothing, no money, no friends, no knowledge of the country,” said Phuc.

“And all I knew about Canada was the weather was cold, people spoke two languages, and then I saw the Canadian flag, so beautiful, that’s all I knew.”

But she said the generosity of the Canadians is what helped her get through it.

“They helped me so much and I learned from zero. They helped me day and night. There were a lot of challenges. That’s why I relate so much to the refugees, it’s a similar situation but it’s a different time.”