Khu Shaw Thee – The Man Everyone Calls When They Need Help

In 1995, a small Karenni boy walked away from his family and into the walls of an orphan boarding house — not out of choice, but out of hope. That boy, Khu Shaw Thee, would go on to become one of the most respected and recognized community leaders in the Karenni diaspora.He began his journey in a refugee camp, receiving his education through the Karenni Department of Education, graduating from both Karenni High School and Karenni Post-Ten with top rankings from Grade 1 to 10. His brilliance in school was matched by his agility on the field — known widely as a caneball pioneer, the first to introduce the roll spike in the camp. A name not only in books but in every corner of the community.

In the U.S., he earned an AAS degree in Human Resources and quickly became a pillar in Minnesota’s Karenni community.Since his arrival in 2009, Shaw Thee has served as an interpreter, translator, community navigator, and life supporter — helping with everything from enrolling children in school to guiding elders through court cases and hospital visits. If you’re Karenni and you’ve been to Minnesota, chances are you’ve met him, or he’s helped someone you love.

His long list of service includes:– Two-term Treasurer of the Karenni-American Association (KnA)– Founding and running Karenni Home Health Care (sold recently to pursue a new path)– First person to teach Karenni language in a U.S. charter school– Recognized Community Leader Award recipient– Respected caneball and volleyball player– Lifelong volunteer, friend, and guide

Today, he is a proud father of three daughters and a husband to a Registered Nurse — building a life rooted in service, dignity, and love.

“The measure of a person’s heart is found in the help they offer to others.” – Khu Shaw Thee

His name carries weight not because of titles, but because of how he makes others feel: supported, seen, and never alone.