Tears streamed down Kim Phuc Phan ThiB次元官网网址檚 face as she stood at the entrance to a plane set to carry Ukrainian newcomers from Poland to Canada last month.

The aircraft was emblazoned with a famous black and white photo of Phan Thi as a nine-year-old child B次元官网网址� an image that made her known as the B次元官网网址渘apalm girlB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� showing her naked, screaming and fleeing an attack during the Vietnam War.

Fifty years after that photograph was taken, Phan Thi found herself drawn to helping Ukrainians escape the war in their country for the safe haven of Canada, just as she had done decades ago.

B次元官网网址淚 just remembered whatB次元官网网址檚 happening to them now B次元官网网址� I have been there. I understand what they need,B次元官网网址� she said in an interview from her home in Ajax, Ont.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 so thankful to be alive and to be there for them, give them hope.B次元官网网址�

Phan Thi, who years ago founded an organization aimed at helping children affected by war, is currently working to support Ukrainian newcomers and hopes to go on more flights similar to the one she was on last month.

She first became involved with last monthB次元官网网址檚 effort after receiving an email from a social justice organization seeking permission to use the famous photograph of her as a child on the outside of their plane.

Enrique Pineyro, a pilot and founder of the organization, Solidaire, planned to fly that plane from Warsaw to Regina with more than 200 Ukrainians on board.

B次元官网网址淚 said, B次元官网网址榃ow, that is so wonderful. We can work together,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Phan Thi. B次元官网网址淏ecause that is the impact of my picture, even 50 years (later), right?B次元官网网址�

Phan Thi, 59, said she gave permission for her photograph to be used and asked if she could join the trip, a request Pineyro quickly agreed to.

The trip required some careful planning, however, to ensure Phan Thi would be able to travel.

She had been getting laser treatments in Miami to repair some of the skin damage she suffered from the napalm, a gel-like substance that easily explodes and ignites upon impact with a target. Her 12th laser round was scheduled for just days before sheB次元官网网址檇 have to leave for Warsaw.

B次元官网网址淚 had to ask my doctor, B次元官网网址楧onB次元官网网址檛 do (the treatment) so strong,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Phan Thi, who was eager to speed the healing time. B次元官网网址淏ecause if she treated me very deep or strong, IB次元官网网址檇 have to be home for two months.B次元官网网址�

Phan Thi said altering the treatment was worth it for the experience of welcoming the 236 Ukrainians who boarded the flight.

B次元官网网址淚 just stayed right side by side with my picture in the big airplane. And they go up the stairs, and I was there at the door welcoming them,B次元官网网址� she recalled.

B次元官网网址淚 just thought in (that) moment, yes, 50 years ago, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But right now, IB次元官网网址檓 in the right time and the right place, to be there, to give those people hope.B次元官网网址�

Phan Thi, who still experiences pain from the burns she sustained on the day of the napalm attack in 1972, has vivid memories of what was captured in the famous photograph.

She was playing outside near a bomb shelter with other children after lunchtime when a soldier suddenly yelled for them to run.

B次元官网网址淚 saw the airplane, just was so fast, so close and so loud,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚 just stayed right there. I was a child, I should run, right? But I didnB次元官网网址檛. I just stood right there. Then I turned my head, I saw the airplane. And then I saw four bombs, landing.B次元官网网址�

A series of booms thundered overhead and flames erupted, she recalled.

B次元官网网址淭he fire was everywhere around me. And of course my clothes burned all by fire. And I saw the fire over my arm,B次元官网网址� she said, recalling scorching her right hand after trying to wipe off the napalm from her left arm.

B次元官网网址淭hen when I (got) out of that fire, I saw my brothers, two of them older and younger. Then I saw my two cousins, then some south Vietnamese soldiers. Then we kept running and running and running.B次元官网网址�

At one point, she became tired and cried out, B次元官网网址淭oo hot! Too hot!B次元官网网址� She remembers a soldier gave her some water to drink.

B次元官网网址淗e tried to help me, he poured the water over me,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 lost consciousness. I didnB次元官网网址檛 remember anything else.B次元官网网址�

Her relationship with the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, has changed over the years. As a young child, Phan Thi said, she hated the image, and as a young woman she resented the publicity it was throwing her way.

But her opinion changed after she moved to Canada in 1992 and became a mother.

B次元官网网址淚 never (wanted) my baby to suffer like that little girl, like myself when I was a child,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hat picture is really a big impact in my life, and I consider that picture as a powerful gift for me to do something while IB次元官网网址檓 still alive.B次元官网网址�

Phan Thi is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and has spent years travelling around the world giving lectures and sharing her story. She also founded the Kim Foundation International to support children affected by war.

Since the pandemic hit, sheB次元官网网址檚 divided her time between caring for her aging mother, who has dementia, and trying to help her brother in Vietnam get a visa to visit Canada to fulfil her motherB次元官网网址檚 wish to see him.

With the arrival of Ukrainians in Canada, Phan Thi hopes to do more to support newcomers by sharing lessons she learned over the years.

B次元官网网址淚 learned how to live with love, with hope and forgiveness,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e have to work towards peace.B次元官网网址�

Jessica Smith, The Canadian Press

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