Saturday, May 9, 2009
Visit to St. An's
We visited the orphanage today. We left the hotel at 7:30 AM and arrived at the orphanage around 11:30AM. It was a drive! We are getting into monsoon season here and the rains are heavy. We encountered washed out roads and large pot-holes that grid-locked traffic. Traveling outside the city in Viet Nam is always a challenging experience. Mike and Blaire were impressed, and I think a bit nervous. I will admit there were a couple of close calls. At one point the driver pulled over and jumped out of the car. What?? He needed a bathroom break! I love Viet Nam!
Once we arrived it was as I expected, an emotional and humbling experience. Father Joseph had the children sing songs for us as we entered. I managed to "keep it together." It was difficult. The children were precious, both young and old. We sat facing them and I couldn't help but see the faces of my three as I watched them sing, clap, and dance. Even the toddlers where going full force. So many innocent souls facing an tenuous future. As I watched them sing I though of how large our task is and felt the weight of the world rest on my shoulders. But then... I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed the negative thoughts out and let the love and concern we all have for these innocent souls flow through me, and I was strong again in my conviction we can make a difference. One step at a time. "Small victories in a large world!"
Sister Tuoi is a soft spoken kind woman. It's obvious she cares for the children and wants the best for them. She and father Joseph do much with very little. There were a couple of women from the town who work at the orphanage waiting to welcome us too. They all are very excited to have people wishing to help their children.
Sister Tuoi explained their system for cooking, cleaning and washing. We also discussed the basic care of the children and their daily schedules. In Viet Nam, school age children split the day. Half attend in the morning session and the others attend the afternoon session. All school age children attend the town's public school. School is not free in Viet Nam. Each child must pay a fee. This is one area I think we can assist with ease. I haven't worked out the numbers yet (that's Mike's job!) but it seems primary school is approximately $60 a year, secondary is around $100 a year, and high school $150 a year, per student. Although this sounds inexpensive by our standards, it is a sizable amount for most. Many children do not attend school in Viet Nam because of the fees. Families simply cannot afford the cost.
We visited with the babies, toddlers, school age, and the handicapped children living at the orphanage. The orphanage itself is very self-contained in they grow much of their own food, which we were fortunate to have for lunch, and raise chickens and geese. There are many needs, some more obvious than others. There were a couple of children with medical needs; one needs a heart surgery and the other corrective orthopedic surgery to unfuse his fingers and toes. Medically, these were the two obvious cases. I'm sure there are other concerns a doctor would diagnose if they were examined. The handicapped children need some source of stimulation. It's unfortunate they sit or lay all day. A couple of the handicapped children appear to be cognitively normal but, because of their physical handicaps, are not educated. The children are cared for and given attention by the sisters. Once they warmed up to us blue eyed, pale skinned, funny talking strangers, they were willing to receive a bit of "loving." However, they were not "starved" for affection. They obviously are held and touched often. Something that we consider a given, but in orphanages, it isn't. It is obvious when you hold a child that has had little affection. They cling to you not wanting to be put down. These children did not do that. They were happy to be held but did not cry or fight to continued to be held. This tells me these children may lack many "things," but not affection. I didn't see propped bottles either. Very significant!
We traveled to the orphanage with Susan, our contact from the Hanoi Women's Org. She has been working with the orphanage and the Sister's to improve conditions. She has a soft, kind, way that was both calming and assuring. It is obvious Sister Tuoi and Father Joseph think very highly of her. We are fortunate to have her as our contact and as an advocate for the orphanage and children living there.
We delivered the gift bags to the children and they were very excited. I believe they enjoyed the candy most! We also delivered clothing items, pads, diapers, a few toys, formula, and food.
Too soon the day was over and we needed to leave for Ha Noi, before dark. The roads are treacherous enough but after dark! I feel the day went very well and we were able to gain a clearer understanding of our mission and areas we can assist. I am very happy we traveled to Viet Nam to visit the orphanage. It has clearly established our commitment to the orphanage and the children living there. As we all know, actions speak much louder than words. By our actions we have demonstrated to Father Joseph, Sister Tuoi, and all the workers at St. An's we are serious in our intent to help. Now let's all collectively join together and go forth, work, and be a change agent for the children living at St. An's orphanage. Let's move forward with the conviction we can and will make a difference in one place, at this time and as the days pass the seeds of our efforts will grow and expand to include other orphanages and the children living there.
Once we arrived it was as I expected, an emotional and humbling experience. Father Joseph had the children sing songs for us as we entered. I managed to "keep it together." It was difficult. The children were precious, both young and old. We sat facing them and I couldn't help but see the faces of my three as I watched them sing, clap, and dance. Even the toddlers where going full force. So many innocent souls facing an tenuous future. As I watched them sing I though of how large our task is and felt the weight of the world rest on my shoulders. But then... I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed the negative thoughts out and let the love and concern we all have for these innocent souls flow through me, and I was strong again in my conviction we can make a difference. One step at a time. "Small victories in a large world!"
Sister Tuoi is a soft spoken kind woman. It's obvious she cares for the children and wants the best for them. She and father Joseph do much with very little. There were a couple of women from the town who work at the orphanage waiting to welcome us too. They all are very excited to have people wishing to help their children.
Sister Tuoi explained their system for cooking, cleaning and washing. We also discussed the basic care of the children and their daily schedules. In Viet Nam, school age children split the day. Half attend in the morning session and the others attend the afternoon session. All school age children attend the town's public school. School is not free in Viet Nam. Each child must pay a fee. This is one area I think we can assist with ease. I haven't worked out the numbers yet (that's Mike's job!) but it seems primary school is approximately $60 a year, secondary is around $100 a year, and high school $150 a year, per student. Although this sounds inexpensive by our standards, it is a sizable amount for most. Many children do not attend school in Viet Nam because of the fees. Families simply cannot afford the cost.
We visited with the babies, toddlers, school age, and the handicapped children living at the orphanage. The orphanage itself is very self-contained in they grow much of their own food, which we were fortunate to have for lunch, and raise chickens and geese. There are many needs, some more obvious than others. There were a couple of children with medical needs; one needs a heart surgery and the other corrective orthopedic surgery to unfuse his fingers and toes. Medically, these were the two obvious cases. I'm sure there are other concerns a doctor would diagnose if they were examined. The handicapped children need some source of stimulation. It's unfortunate they sit or lay all day. A couple of the handicapped children appear to be cognitively normal but, because of their physical handicaps, are not educated. The children are cared for and given attention by the sisters. Once they warmed up to us blue eyed, pale skinned, funny talking strangers, they were willing to receive a bit of "loving." However, they were not "starved" for affection. They obviously are held and touched often. Something that we consider a given, but in orphanages, it isn't. It is obvious when you hold a child that has had little affection. They cling to you not wanting to be put down. These children did not do that. They were happy to be held but did not cry or fight to continued to be held. This tells me these children may lack many "things," but not affection. I didn't see propped bottles either. Very significant!
We traveled to the orphanage with Susan, our contact from the Hanoi Women's Org. She has been working with the orphanage and the Sister's to improve conditions. She has a soft, kind, way that was both calming and assuring. It is obvious Sister Tuoi and Father Joseph think very highly of her. We are fortunate to have her as our contact and as an advocate for the orphanage and children living there.
We delivered the gift bags to the children and they were very excited. I believe they enjoyed the candy most! We also delivered clothing items, pads, diapers, a few toys, formula, and food.
Too soon the day was over and we needed to leave for Ha Noi, before dark. The roads are treacherous enough but after dark! I feel the day went very well and we were able to gain a clearer understanding of our mission and areas we can assist. I am very happy we traveled to Viet Nam to visit the orphanage. It has clearly established our commitment to the orphanage and the children living there. As we all know, actions speak much louder than words. By our actions we have demonstrated to Father Joseph, Sister Tuoi, and all the workers at St. An's we are serious in our intent to help. Now let's all collectively join together and go forth, work, and be a change agent for the children living at St. An's orphanage. Let's move forward with the conviction we can and will make a difference in one place, at this time and as the days pass the seeds of our efforts will grow and expand to include other orphanages and the children living there.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
We Are In Hanoi!
Hey Gang,
After 30 hours of flying, we made it to our hotel in Ha Noi. Yeah! We are beyond tired but must keep going. The best part of our hotel is it's directly across the street from the Tamirand Rest.! Our most favorite place to eat. Oh happy day! We are cleaning off the travel grime and changing our stinky clothes then it's off shopping for the orphanage. I will write more later when I have more cells firing.
Tracy
After 30 hours of flying, we made it to our hotel in Ha Noi. Yeah! We are beyond tired but must keep going. The best part of our hotel is it's directly across the street from the Tamirand Rest.! Our most favorite place to eat. Oh happy day! We are cleaning off the travel grime and changing our stinky clothes then it's off shopping for the orphanage. I will write more later when I have more cells firing.
Tracy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Today is the day!
Blaire, Mike and I leave for Ha Noi this afternoon. Our ETA to Ha Noi is 9:30 AM on May 7. We have made made all the arrangements we can from here. When we step off the plane in Viet Nam we will "hit the road" to begin our work. I must have a shower and then it's off shopping for the items we intend to donate to the Nam Dinh orphanage. Our friends in Ha Noi have arranged for us to purchase the items we need at cost! We will stretch each dollar/dong as far as possible. We will be looking for food items, formula, equipment, cribs and seats for the babies.
Our suitcases are loaded with the gift bags donated by school children and friends for the children at the orphanage. We have 85 bags total! We received cash donations from many sources totalling over $1000. A portion of our donations will be used to purchase supplies for a second orphanage in Phu Tho province.
This is our planned itinerary:
Our suitcases are loaded with the gift bags donated by school children and friends for the children at the orphanage. We have 85 bags total! We received cash donations from many sources totalling over $1000. A portion of our donations will be used to purchase supplies for a second orphanage in Phu Tho province.
This is our planned itinerary:
- Purchase supplies on Thursday
- Visit the Nam Dinh orphanage on Friday
- Purchase supplies for the Phu Tho orphanage on Saturday
- Visit the Phu Tho orphanage on Sunday
- Catch a few sights around Ha Noi on Monday
- Return to the states on Tuesday. Whew! I'm already tired.
I will post as I can about our trip, and upload pictures if our Internet connection will allow.
Keep us in your thoughts.
Tracy
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