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Our first day of work took us to Dai Loc area of Quang Nam province. It is a relatively new area for our work. About 40 minutes from Danang. The ride took us through small towns, village and lovely fertile country side. It is a real peak into the life of Vietnamese.
Our first stop was for a kindergarten dedication. Honestly I was shocked it was finished. It was only last month I stood on the vacant piece of land. And here 4 weeks later was a completed building! And they had rains this past month. School begins in the first grade. Providing a kindergarten for these young rural children helps them to begin their road to education. In many case the only exposure they will have to sitting in a classroom or seeing a book.
Amazing children. Full of joy and excitement. There were the usual speeches, but what stood out were the children. They had preapared several dance routines in celebration. So cute! The cost of this was $8000! But will help to impact the children in this rural community for generations to come.
Last Dec. at a bike distribution in Dai Loc we meet a man seeking help. There he stood with his wife talking to local authorities and them not really wanting to burden us anymore. But inquisitive minds....We found out he was desperately in need of life saving heart surgery. I had learned on a past trip (Thank you Frank M.) that it is wise to save a parent and have them there for their child. Rather than allow them to die and then come in and help the orphans. After a short discussion we went to their house and there was nothing! Nothing in the pans or food anywhere! Nothing but a "lean to" against an uncle's house.
The mother said all she wanted was her husband to live. Nothing else mattered. We agreed to the surgery and also realized he needed something to come home to. Today we revisited them. The father still in the hospital recovering from a successful heart surgery. Dads going to live! Their house had been built. And I wish I could find words to see the glow in this mothers face. Her eyes had changed and there was hope again.
I commented on her "glow" and she broke into the biggest smile, saying she could never hope to express her gratitude to the donors for their help. What really put the "cherry on the top" was a discussion we had with the local authorities. She made money by shifting through garbage to find things to recycle or reuse. Probalby the lowest on the scale of employment.
After our conversations it was agreed upon that the local peoples committee would give her a stall at the local market and we would provide some startup capital for her to pay deposit for goods to sell. She is now going to have a better income and hope for a future. This makes me holler YEA GOD!
As GIBTK continues to mature it excites me to see us move beyond "triage" and on to helping children and their families to walk on their own with a bit of dignity. YEA GOD!
Our other mentionable stop was my second time to Dai Loc orphanage. 51 children in 4 -17 years old. I was there for the first time last month and was amazed with how well mannered the kids were, most spoke a little to a lot English. The places was clean relatively speaking, they had pets they took care of the place was primarily supported by locals. A great place but very poor. They budget to feed and take care of the children is about 55 cents a day. Meager.
Today we brought 2 computers to help the children in their studies and a pairs of shoes, a shirt and pants for each child. It was amazing how they clung to their new treasures, and how much happiness shown on their faces. They clung to these simple gifts. Showing their treasure to me and one another. Giving me the thumbs up sign and saying "GOOD"! I saw more teeth in their smiles then I can ever remember seeing anywhere. What a simple gift, clothing and such gratitude.
I am sure you all will be hearing more and more about this special place as they learn about an unconditional parents hug, getting one and one day giving one. I am excited in the prospect of developing some type of strategic plan to help influence these children to help them achieve their maximum potential.
It was a good day!
Bblessed ><((((º>
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