Our 2nd full day of work work work. It is so so hot today, nearly 100’ with 100% humidity, we are all slightly envious of the cooler weather most of our friends and family are having. Again, we split up into three teams and went deep into the Mekong Delta region to this very small, rural village of Tan Hoi Trung. It is one of the poorest in the country – over 8000 people in this village and 85% live in poverty, earning less than 15 cents a day. As we rode on our tuk-tuks in about 15 km from the main road we all were reminded how lucky we were at home to have what we have. It’s hard to see and then explain why families were living in such misery – with a dirt floor, ½ of a thatched roof, and no food to eat.
We worked out some kinks in the medical checkups and today was full of another 300 children! The children were all given “permission slips” to come, so that we would treat and see them first, but there were so many local families there that wanted to be seen. The main illnesses in this area of the country is due to poor hygiene and of course awful water conditions to live, cook, and bathe in. Our team was so amazing all sharing their talents and really dealing with quick, efficient diagnoses. There will be many children that will need follow up but we will work closely with the Red Cross in the area to accomplish that. There were also many many teeth extractions. Luckily we had novacaine but the screams came when they saw the size of the needle – not when they actually pulled the tooth! We are so thankful for all the generous donations of medicine and supplies they were put to good use immediately!
The home renovation team had another productive day of replacing some roofs, siding and doing a little painting. The families that received these new "home makeovers" were thrilled that strangers would come so far to help them finish up the work. The model we used was similar to Habitat for Humanity, each family had to help build and fix their own homes. Our tools were basic and very creative. Some of these homes are held up by just some string and electrical wire - really! But we know that these can provide some sort of real structure for the children now and hopefully give them some pride in knowing that it was provided for by strangers. One sweet grandmother even took a picture of one of our team members standing in snow and put it up on the altar!
Our youngest volunteers had another day of school visits. The morning was absolutely great! They went to two elementary schools of about 500 children each. We got off our van at one school and felt like a celebrity in a parade, they had lined up in straight rows for about an hour and stood up and cheered when we arrived! There was even a drum corp to welcome us! We gave each child some gifts. When we asked them what they wanted our youngest kindergarten class only wanted powdered milk! Can you imagine asking a child you know if you could have any gift you wanted to answer that? These children only know basic survival skills! So of course we were happy to oblige - we gave each child a bag of powdered milk. The children grades 1-5 were given school workbooks, paper and pen. They were very serious as our team gave them presents, but when they walked away and were able to look inside their bags, their eyes lit up! They also LOVED the pictures that school children drew for them!
After we got home and got cleaned up, dinner was our next adventure! We had a traditional Vietnamese meal from the Delta - featuring snake, eel and mouse! There were many brave eaters and noone keeled over! The reviews came in pretty positive for snake. And the mouse needed more meat and less bones. It was a lot of fun to try out the specialities!
Tomorrow we head out early to travel to Ha Tien to camp with children from Thu Duc, Dong Thap and the Little Rose Warm Shelter!
Here's a picture of our hard working (and playful) team of U.S. and Vietnam staff and volunteers.
Girls from the Little Rose Warm Shelter that attended camp.
Girls in our Scholarship Program from the village of Tan Hoi Trung.
Girls in our Scholarship Program from My Hiep Village
Children from the Thu Duc Orphanage
Half of our hard working Home Renovation Team
The Biking Team - Dave, Claire, Scott, Mark and Duane, 6 a.m. departure!
In the middle of Saigon morning traffic! Not attracting any attention at all!
And in the country...flat tires are ruling the trip...but it takes them 9 hours in 100 F and nearly 100% humidity!
This is the little boy that beat Dave :-)
Money raised from our Biking Team and most of the children on our team bought 100 great new bikes for the children that really needed them! Thank you!
