With temps in my bedroom often over 85 degrees, it's tough going in the summer but last month I broke down and bought an airconditioner. Running it about 3 hours a day Sun - Thur (when I'm home before bed), it's so far only cost about $10 to run. I had heard horror stories of $100 power bills from locals and wanted to avoid that since my darn rent is only $75 per month! Remember, I'm living on $300 a month here so a $100 power bill is not in the budget. ha ha ha Gone are the days of $210 Electric bills from SDG&E!
One of the highlights since I last wrote was the night I went to Social Support with Minh Chau. She had 'a suprise' for me and when I got there, I received 9 Mother's Day cards from 9 kids that I used to teach. It was wonderful! They all asked me to 'be their mom', told me they loved me and wished me a Happy Mother's Day. I keep one card hanging in front of my laptop, just to remind me why I'm here because - Some days I forget -
Most days, I'm lucky. Lucky to have volunteers with big hearts and some with equally big wallets. Volunteers who might be only 18 but committed to recruiting their friends and family to volunteer or committed to fund raising when they go home. I'm grateful for all the interns who look after the volunteers by taking them to the market, to the beach, to placements, to the bank, to the pharmacy - so I can keep managing projects and fund raising.
I'm happy to be planning a trip home for 2 months. Although it'll be a working holiday because I'll be fundraising and recruiting - it'll be worth it. I have been told by more than one adult volunteer that I could so much more for GVN if I can get abroad and get the message out. Actually 'speak' to people vs. email and tell them about the wonderful kids and opportunities here.
I miss some things from home. It goes without saying that I miss family in CT and friends in CA. But I also miss Mexican food, a gay community, the gym, my mom's cooking, home made wine and Grey's Anatomy. But, I'm not ready to trade in my $3 movie tickets, my 35 cent coffee, the neighbor kids who make a mad dash at full speed down the street to give me a hug, the kisses from the carers when I bring them shampoo or diapers, the spring rolls, the motorbike rides to HoiAn or the friendly "Hello" I get as I walk down literally, any street. Nope - not ready to trade that in just yet.
In the meantime, I'll go home, fund raise, eat, drink, travel, enjoy, relax, play and rest......
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Summer is here
Well a lot has gone on in the past 4 months! Suffice to say - we're keeping busy. On the down side, I lost of friend of 20 years to cancer about a week ago. She leaves behind her partner and 2 wonderful kids. In addition, we lost a 6 year old girl in our TamKy program this month - she had cerebral palsey all of her life and finally succumbed to an infection and fever.
On the positive side, one of the 4 kids who ran away from our DaNang Social Support Center is back. Viet and I are trying to move 5 boys to a different home in TamKy where they can be kept busy and learn a vocation. I found a Vietnamese pediatricain and nutritionist; both have visited an orphange and will work with us to provide better care for the kids.
Dad arrived about 2 weeks ago for a 1 month vacation. I kept him busy up north in Sapa where the ethnic minorities live, then Hanoi - Vietnam's Capital, and in Halong Bay which is beautiful. He's now resting in HoiAn and loving it there. He has at least 5 women doting on him every day. He also went with me to a wedding in Saigon last weekend so I think he's set for beach and sun time for now. Oh and he came to 3 orphanages and was terrific with the kids - especially the disabled ones. He picked them up, gave them hugs, took them for walks, played with leggos - I might have to sign him up to volunteer for a month!
My 2 best friends: Sofi and Eadaoin left this week to return to Spain and Ireland. We had several months of fun and memories together. They kept me going when I lacked focus or energy and I want to thank them for the ongoing inspiration! Carrie is back to stay - from AU - although she has a boyfriend now, I'm sure I'll see her lots!
It's getting hot - about 85 (32 c) during the day / night - I am renting a house now, near the GVN House but there isn't any A/C yet. I'll be shopping for some soon though! It's just really tough to regenerate w/o the cool air!
I've been driving a motor bike regularly and the car or van sometimes. I find it pretty easy to drive here but then I've driven in Rome and THAT was insane.
I want to begin a bi monthly meeting with other NGO's in DaNang so we can share information with each other. Recentley we've made improvements with teaching the mothers English, working on feeding practicies and hygiene. East Meets West provided dental care to over 95 kids. (I finally lost count). I was really happy with their program and the care - they will also go to Tuy Hoa in May 2010 and provide care for another 500 kids there.
I'm getting asked a lot about my plans for after Dec of 2009. So far, no decision yet. I'd like to go back to the US for a visit though. I miss a lot of friends there. Might have to plan around the latest epidemic of Swine Flu though! Jeez do we have problems! In the meantime, I'm loving the simplicity of life here - I have a very modest house that I split with a 26 yr old guy from France. We each pay $75 per month plus utilities. I'm living on the $300 per month GVN Vietnam is able to pay me - plus all my meals are included. So, I really can't complain.
I don't shop when I'm bored. I read. I don't research the latest cars, fancy vacations or rental properties. I'm happy helping volunteers from around the world, help kids in Vietnam. It's that simple really. I would like to meet someone to date though. That's quite a challenge in this country - it doesn't help that I'm not really attracted to Asians - plus, the local women here are not as independant or confident. I'll have to find a western woman in an Asian world!
On the positive side, one of the 4 kids who ran away from our DaNang Social Support Center is back. Viet and I are trying to move 5 boys to a different home in TamKy where they can be kept busy and learn a vocation. I found a Vietnamese pediatricain and nutritionist; both have visited an orphange and will work with us to provide better care for the kids.
Dad arrived about 2 weeks ago for a 1 month vacation. I kept him busy up north in Sapa where the ethnic minorities live, then Hanoi - Vietnam's Capital, and in Halong Bay which is beautiful. He's now resting in HoiAn and loving it there. He has at least 5 women doting on him every day. He also went with me to a wedding in Saigon last weekend so I think he's set for beach and sun time for now. Oh and he came to 3 orphanages and was terrific with the kids - especially the disabled ones. He picked them up, gave them hugs, took them for walks, played with leggos - I might have to sign him up to volunteer for a month!
My 2 best friends: Sofi and Eadaoin left this week to return to Spain and Ireland. We had several months of fun and memories together. They kept me going when I lacked focus or energy and I want to thank them for the ongoing inspiration! Carrie is back to stay - from AU - although she has a boyfriend now, I'm sure I'll see her lots!
It's getting hot - about 85 (32 c) during the day / night - I am renting a house now, near the GVN House but there isn't any A/C yet. I'll be shopping for some soon though! It's just really tough to regenerate w/o the cool air!
I've been driving a motor bike regularly and the car or van sometimes. I find it pretty easy to drive here but then I've driven in Rome and THAT was insane.
I want to begin a bi monthly meeting with other NGO's in DaNang so we can share information with each other. Recentley we've made improvements with teaching the mothers English, working on feeding practicies and hygiene. East Meets West provided dental care to over 95 kids. (I finally lost count). I was really happy with their program and the care - they will also go to Tuy Hoa in May 2010 and provide care for another 500 kids there.
I'm getting asked a lot about my plans for after Dec of 2009. So far, no decision yet. I'd like to go back to the US for a visit though. I miss a lot of friends there. Might have to plan around the latest epidemic of Swine Flu though! Jeez do we have problems! In the meantime, I'm loving the simplicity of life here - I have a very modest house that I split with a 26 yr old guy from France. We each pay $75 per month plus utilities. I'm living on the $300 per month GVN Vietnam is able to pay me - plus all my meals are included. So, I really can't complain.
I don't shop when I'm bored. I read. I don't research the latest cars, fancy vacations or rental properties. I'm happy helping volunteers from around the world, help kids in Vietnam. It's that simple really. I would like to meet someone to date though. That's quite a challenge in this country - it doesn't help that I'm not really attracted to Asians - plus, the local women here are not as independant or confident. I'll have to find a western woman in an Asian world!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
6 Weeks Later.....
I've been back in Vietnam for 6 weeks now and I've been fortunate to have participated in: Christmas, My Birthday, New Years and the Tet Holiday commonly known as the Chinese New Year. Whew - it's been lots of fun and lots of work. The fun part was being inviting to local homes for a meal or a beer, celebrating Vietnamese style. They truely are warm people who treat us like family.
As for work - we've been busy - as normal. Loads of new infants have arrived from the hospital - no idea why they are left at orphanages.....I'm trying to get the government to help us spread the kids out over several places so the mothers have a chance at keeping an eye on them all. Viet and I will meet with officials who might help us next week.
Orientation for Feb is tomorrow. We'll have 7 volunteers in Danang, 5 in Tamky and 6 in Tuy Hoa. There are so many plans in the works now - both large and small. Several volunteers around the globe are either returning to help out or fund raising and brainstorming from home. The support is fantastic. I'll need to prioritize and continue to delegate and seek help in order to keep up with everything. Seems like Viet and I are busy weekly with day-to-day issues and rarely have time to discuss larger plans for funding or maybe even building a foster home.
On a personal note, I'm doing really well. Although I feel like it's a transient (sic?) lifestlye with my little room, small amount of personal possessions and volunteers who become friends only to leave after a month or two - I'm still feeling like this is where I am meant to be for now. I often think about 'what's next' only to realize ' this is it' the here and now. And it's perfect, just the way it is. I worry less and less about 'retirement plans', owning another house, keeping up with the Joneses and my favorite TV shows. I'm appreciateing more of 'being in the moment' - enjoying riding a motorbike on a sunny day, through miles and miles of rice fields with mountains in the background and farmers in the fields. I also enjoy the neighbor kids who are never far from our front door - who call out to me, 'Miss Jen!', as they walk past. They come by with their siblings and we give them a carton of milk and let them play with our stash of toys, paints and books. They range in age from 2 to 8 and they're some of the most beautiful kids, inside and out.
The hard part about being in Vietnam (aside from missing my family and friends) is knowing that so much can be done to improve the lives of kids and families, yet we have so little resources. It's not just money. It's manpower, government cooperation, out of the box thinking and getting a society to believe in more than just day to day survival. The impact that several recent wars (in just the last 60 years) has had on Vietnam and it's people is still clearly evident. They tend not to plan for the future much - not surprisingly after reading so many books and listening to stories - everything can all be taken away in an instant. Bank accounts, homes, possessions, even loved ones can be gone tomorrow. So in our program, we deal with loads of pre teen and teenage kids who don't see much of a future for themselves beyond the orphanage or being a motorbike mechanic or tailor. They are surrounded by short term mentality and lack of self worth. Rarely do they have someone - especially who can speak their own language - who inspires them to go beyond themselves as they currently know themselves to be.
I so wish I could insert a disk in to my brain and learn this language overnight! I would use all my past training in the military, my careers, Landmark, life experiences and how I was brought up to inspire these kids to be powerful, compassionate contributors to their country and the world! Boy do I need to learn Vietnamese. The kids love me - they respect me and trust me. But we cannot communicate beyond the basics and that's what they need from me. More than being able to say 'hello' or 'how are you?', they need inspiration in their own language. They need adults to tell them about the world to encourage them to dream and to finish high school or college.
So, I'll close for now. I must go study my Vietnamese.
As for work - we've been busy - as normal. Loads of new infants have arrived from the hospital - no idea why they are left at orphanages.....I'm trying to get the government to help us spread the kids out over several places so the mothers have a chance at keeping an eye on them all. Viet and I will meet with officials who might help us next week.
Orientation for Feb is tomorrow. We'll have 7 volunteers in Danang, 5 in Tamky and 6 in Tuy Hoa. There are so many plans in the works now - both large and small. Several volunteers around the globe are either returning to help out or fund raising and brainstorming from home. The support is fantastic. I'll need to prioritize and continue to delegate and seek help in order to keep up with everything. Seems like Viet and I are busy weekly with day-to-day issues and rarely have time to discuss larger plans for funding or maybe even building a foster home.
On a personal note, I'm doing really well. Although I feel like it's a transient (sic?) lifestlye with my little room, small amount of personal possessions and volunteers who become friends only to leave after a month or two - I'm still feeling like this is where I am meant to be for now. I often think about 'what's next' only to realize ' this is it' the here and now. And it's perfect, just the way it is. I worry less and less about 'retirement plans', owning another house, keeping up with the Joneses and my favorite TV shows. I'm appreciateing more of 'being in the moment' - enjoying riding a motorbike on a sunny day, through miles and miles of rice fields with mountains in the background and farmers in the fields. I also enjoy the neighbor kids who are never far from our front door - who call out to me, 'Miss Jen!', as they walk past. They come by with their siblings and we give them a carton of milk and let them play with our stash of toys, paints and books. They range in age from 2 to 8 and they're some of the most beautiful kids, inside and out.
The hard part about being in Vietnam (aside from missing my family and friends) is knowing that so much can be done to improve the lives of kids and families, yet we have so little resources. It's not just money. It's manpower, government cooperation, out of the box thinking and getting a society to believe in more than just day to day survival. The impact that several recent wars (in just the last 60 years) has had on Vietnam and it's people is still clearly evident. They tend not to plan for the future much - not surprisingly after reading so many books and listening to stories - everything can all be taken away in an instant. Bank accounts, homes, possessions, even loved ones can be gone tomorrow. So in our program, we deal with loads of pre teen and teenage kids who don't see much of a future for themselves beyond the orphanage or being a motorbike mechanic or tailor. They are surrounded by short term mentality and lack of self worth. Rarely do they have someone - especially who can speak their own language - who inspires them to go beyond themselves as they currently know themselves to be.
I so wish I could insert a disk in to my brain and learn this language overnight! I would use all my past training in the military, my careers, Landmark, life experiences and how I was brought up to inspire these kids to be powerful, compassionate contributors to their country and the world! Boy do I need to learn Vietnamese. The kids love me - they respect me and trust me. But we cannot communicate beyond the basics and that's what they need from me. More than being able to say 'hello' or 'how are you?', they need inspiration in their own language. They need adults to tell them about the world to encourage them to dream and to finish high school or college.
So, I'll close for now. I must go study my Vietnamese.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Short but Wonderful Visit
I'm leaving CT tomorrow for CA - just 2 weeks to go before returning to Vietnam. Yes that's right. Going back to Vietnam for a year. Some say I'm crazy - sometimes I agree - but mostly I know I'm making a huge impact on a lot of lives. I love the kids in Vietnam - they have no idea how much! I have a 50 pound bag of clothes packed for them and I'll be back in time to celebrate Christmas with at least 40 if not over 100 kids, depending on where I am. My plan is to get high on Vietnamese Coffee and stay awake for as many days as it takes to see all the kids, mothers, staff and volunteers as soon as I get back!
The team in Vietnam has been doing such great things since I've been gone. There have been trips to the hospital, educational seminars, more supplies bought, 1 on 1 time with troubled kids and much, much more. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone in our program.
Here in the States, I've been busy selling Christmas Cards made by Red Cross kids, I've done 2 speaking engagements, I've sold embroidery, coffee, scarves and purses - all for the kid's food program in DaNang. I have more cards and calendars to sell in Ct and even more waiting for me in CA!
Time with family and friends in CT has been priceless. I love my family and I'm blessed that we have such a great relationship. They are very supportive of my desire to return to Vietnam although I know they're sad that I'm leaving CT - yet again - after saying I'd move back here. I'm considering working abroad long term and coming home to CT / CA for a couple months a year to vacation. We'll see. Still need to find that sponsor to pay a salary for me!
My nephew Ambros is 2 1/2 and talking like crazy. It will be hard to leave him but we've spent a lot of quality time together. By the age of 3, I'm sure he'll be emailing me! He loves to read, run and repeat whatever we tell him. I think he'll be top of his class and make us proud. Hopefully he won't ask ME for any help with homework! Yikes.
I've been going to the gym 4 - 5 days a week - it feels great to be in a workout routine again. Vietnam was WAY TOO HOT the last few months I was there. However, now that I'm back in shape, I'll have to find a way to work out in the 90 degree weather with the 85 percent humidity. The older I get, the more work it takes eh?
I've been lucky to have such a huge support base - literally from around the world. From family, friends and new friends (volunteers) - you have all been wonderful. You're fund raising, sending inspiring emails, coming back to Vietnam to volunteer - you inspire me to keep going. Although my vacation has been somewhat of a working vacation, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's the perfect combination of rest, relaxation, brainstorming and visiting! Thanks for all your love and support.
The team in Vietnam has been doing such great things since I've been gone. There have been trips to the hospital, educational seminars, more supplies bought, 1 on 1 time with troubled kids and much, much more. I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone in our program.
Here in the States, I've been busy selling Christmas Cards made by Red Cross kids, I've done 2 speaking engagements, I've sold embroidery, coffee, scarves and purses - all for the kid's food program in DaNang. I have more cards and calendars to sell in Ct and even more waiting for me in CA!
Time with family and friends in CT has been priceless. I love my family and I'm blessed that we have such a great relationship. They are very supportive of my desire to return to Vietnam although I know they're sad that I'm leaving CT - yet again - after saying I'd move back here. I'm considering working abroad long term and coming home to CT / CA for a couple months a year to vacation. We'll see. Still need to find that sponsor to pay a salary for me!
My nephew Ambros is 2 1/2 and talking like crazy. It will be hard to leave him but we've spent a lot of quality time together. By the age of 3, I'm sure he'll be emailing me! He loves to read, run and repeat whatever we tell him. I think he'll be top of his class and make us proud. Hopefully he won't ask ME for any help with homework! Yikes.
I've been going to the gym 4 - 5 days a week - it feels great to be in a workout routine again. Vietnam was WAY TOO HOT the last few months I was there. However, now that I'm back in shape, I'll have to find a way to work out in the 90 degree weather with the 85 percent humidity. The older I get, the more work it takes eh?
I've been lucky to have such a huge support base - literally from around the world. From family, friends and new friends (volunteers) - you have all been wonderful. You're fund raising, sending inspiring emails, coming back to Vietnam to volunteer - you inspire me to keep going. Although my vacation has been somewhat of a working vacation, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's the perfect combination of rest, relaxation, brainstorming and visiting! Thanks for all your love and support.
Monday, October 6, 2008
October 6 -
As much as I love Vietnam, I'm anxious to get home for a visit! I've booked my flight out of Saigon for Oct 20th and I'll come back 2 months later. I've started a list of all the food I want to eat and it's getting longer each day! Today I came up with thinly sliced provolone and salami on cracked wheat bread with spicy mustard! That, and a home made glass of wine will make me VERY happy!
In the meantime, I'm getting ready to be out for two months. Leaving notes for someone to take my place, last minute shopping for the kids, getting the petty cash lined up so things don't fall through the cracks. Seems like every time we turn around, there's another project here or more kids there. Just today I found out that 3 kids whom we recently got reunited with their family will be going BACK to the orphanage. Seems it's just too much for the parents to handle...
My days are still a blessing - light office work, brainstorming with volunteers on how to make the kid's lives better and my most favorite - playing with the kids whenever I can. I'm happy that I'm coming back for Christmas - that in itself will be a gift for me. I've really learned to appreciate such small things in life - a 35 cent cup of coffee (who needs a $4 Macchiato anymore), really cool pair of jeans for $18 - wait till you see them, families earning $350 a month and living just fine.
I've always loved kids - everyone knows that about me. I never thought I could combine my love of kids with my natural ability of organizing and leadership. It's a perfect match in some ways! I'm committed to working here for a year (Dec 2008 - 2009). I've created a proposal for an income that I'll send to prospective donors who feel management skills help a non profit run more effectively - (call me if you're one of those people!).
Otherwise, my next task is to get myself back in shape - regular workouts again, and to create something big for myself for 2009. There are lots of options: running my own company, expanding this company, building a foster home, finding someone to share my crazy ideas with!! It's all possible - I just need to create it! I think I've been afraid of failing at any one of these ideas so I've been playing small lately. Doing the easy stuff, the stuff I already can do well. A friend recently reminded me that I'm up for bigger things!! (Thanks Cory!)
So, stay tuned - the rest of this year and next year should be a wild ride. I'm looking forward to it!
In the meantime, I'm getting ready to be out for two months. Leaving notes for someone to take my place, last minute shopping for the kids, getting the petty cash lined up so things don't fall through the cracks. Seems like every time we turn around, there's another project here or more kids there. Just today I found out that 3 kids whom we recently got reunited with their family will be going BACK to the orphanage. Seems it's just too much for the parents to handle...
My days are still a blessing - light office work, brainstorming with volunteers on how to make the kid's lives better and my most favorite - playing with the kids whenever I can. I'm happy that I'm coming back for Christmas - that in itself will be a gift for me. I've really learned to appreciate such small things in life - a 35 cent cup of coffee (who needs a $4 Macchiato anymore), really cool pair of jeans for $18 - wait till you see them, families earning $350 a month and living just fine.
I've always loved kids - everyone knows that about me. I never thought I could combine my love of kids with my natural ability of organizing and leadership. It's a perfect match in some ways! I'm committed to working here for a year (Dec 2008 - 2009). I've created a proposal for an income that I'll send to prospective donors who feel management skills help a non profit run more effectively - (call me if you're one of those people!).
Otherwise, my next task is to get myself back in shape - regular workouts again, and to create something big for myself for 2009. There are lots of options: running my own company, expanding this company, building a foster home, finding someone to share my crazy ideas with!! It's all possible - I just need to create it! I think I've been afraid of failing at any one of these ideas so I've been playing small lately. Doing the easy stuff, the stuff I already can do well. A friend recently reminded me that I'm up for bigger things!! (Thanks Cory!)
So, stay tuned - the rest of this year and next year should be a wild ride. I'm looking forward to it!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
September 9, 2008
Today I'm in TamKy and I've just received fabulous news! The Scottish couple I met in Hoian last month have agreed to fund our Education Program for a year! Hazel's Footprints is a non profit in Scotland that fundraises and donates to orphanages in India and to educational programs around the world. (For details, see: http://www.hazelsfootprints.org/). They recently agreed to be our exclusive sponsor for our Education Program in Danang and TuyHoa and I'm soooo excited to get this program rolling! More to come once we're up and running!
In the meantime there is always lots to tell: I've been to two new places on the weekends recently. First was Bach Ma about 90 minutes north of Danang. It's up in the mountains with lots of waterfalls - one was 300 yards tall. We hiked down 687 steps to get to the base (then back up of course). Last weekend I went to Dalat which is about a 6 hour drive from TuyHoa, our southern most placement. Viet and I took all the volunteers for the weekend and it was terrific. Wonderful views, a chill in the air (haven't felt that since April!!) and loads of good food!
On the work front - I've been very busy. I hosted a two day training seminar for our Placement Managers. We covered things like our newly created Staff Manual, Leadership, Caring for Volunteers and Fund Raising. It was a lot to cover but everyone did a great job and I'm visiting all the sites this month to continue the training. I love the opportunity of being an Operations Manager and a Coach. Additionally by traveling, I get to work at all the schools and see lots of kids and young adults who are benefitting from GVN. It's a great feeling to walk in to an orphanage after not being there for a month and having kids run up to me with a smile and a hug!
In addition to the structure and standard procedures that we're putting in place, all the volunteers are really pitching in and doing a lot. We've had some huge fund raising success stories and others have been working weekends, brainstorming, using their experience or education to help GVN grow. I believe the program is really taking off in the right direction.
I'm going back to the US for about 7 weeks from the end of Oct to early December. I need to see family and friends. (Especially Ambros!) While home, I'll keep tabs on what's going on here, keep the newsletter rolling and get some fund raising done. I should be in CT first then CA for my last couple of weeks. Planning on heading back to Vietnam out of L.A. around the early or middle of December.
Keep sending those emails. I love them! I'll write more often. I'll have to keep better notes if I ever want to write that book about my experiences to fund the rest of my retirement! ha ha ha!
In the meantime there is always lots to tell: I've been to two new places on the weekends recently. First was Bach Ma about 90 minutes north of Danang. It's up in the mountains with lots of waterfalls - one was 300 yards tall. We hiked down 687 steps to get to the base (then back up of course). Last weekend I went to Dalat which is about a 6 hour drive from TuyHoa, our southern most placement. Viet and I took all the volunteers for the weekend and it was terrific. Wonderful views, a chill in the air (haven't felt that since April!!) and loads of good food!
On the work front - I've been very busy. I hosted a two day training seminar for our Placement Managers. We covered things like our newly created Staff Manual, Leadership, Caring for Volunteers and Fund Raising. It was a lot to cover but everyone did a great job and I'm visiting all the sites this month to continue the training. I love the opportunity of being an Operations Manager and a Coach. Additionally by traveling, I get to work at all the schools and see lots of kids and young adults who are benefitting from GVN. It's a great feeling to walk in to an orphanage after not being there for a month and having kids run up to me with a smile and a hug!
In addition to the structure and standard procedures that we're putting in place, all the volunteers are really pitching in and doing a lot. We've had some huge fund raising success stories and others have been working weekends, brainstorming, using their experience or education to help GVN grow. I believe the program is really taking off in the right direction.
I'm going back to the US for about 7 weeks from the end of Oct to early December. I need to see family and friends. (Especially Ambros!) While home, I'll keep tabs on what's going on here, keep the newsletter rolling and get some fund raising done. I should be in CT first then CA for my last couple of weeks. Planning on heading back to Vietnam out of L.A. around the early or middle of December.
Keep sending those emails. I love them! I'll write more often. I'll have to keep better notes if I ever want to write that book about my experiences to fund the rest of my retirement! ha ha ha!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Whew - Way Overdue
Yikes - it's been over a month. Sorry about that! There is some much and so little going on here. LOL. When it's busy, it's crazy, when it's slow, I'm laying in a hotel with aircon and pretending it's winter!
So - aside from the emergency appendectomy of one volunteer and two of my staff being in the hospital last week - all is well. Nothing more than a 2 month old with acute hydrocephalus to manage this weekend!
The good news is - it rained tonight and dropped the temp about 5 degrees F. The bad news is we've had daily power outages - todays as far as I know is still an issue - At our house if the power goes, the water goes. So I'm sitting at my favorite bar, drinking a cold beer and surfing on their Wifi! Thanks Yim!
The rest is all going according to plan - sort of: I'm working on the first Monthly Volunteer Newsletter to go out to 1000 past Việt Nam Volunteers, also writing a staff manual from scratch, updating the volunteer manual and creating fund raising proposals to create a regular inflow of money for the kids and programs we have here.
I love it all! Where else can I work in shorts, work in a bar (sometimes), play with amazing kids, hug babies who don't cry when I pick them up, pay 40 cents for a Pepsi, 90 cents for a beer and $1 for lunch?
I recently bought 9 pieces of embroidery made by disabled kids at the Red Cross Vocational Center. Mom has them in CT if anyone is interested in donating and getting something in return. If you just want to donate, email me!
I'm building 3 funds currently: Education, Medical and Monthly Wellness (fruit, milk, rice). It's a slow process but I'm committed to making it work. Despite the red tape, hospital incompetence, police harassment and government asking US for money to volunteer in THEIR city '- the nerve, right??? Oh well, that's Vietnam and I'm not planning on going anywhere soon. Call me crazy but it all seems like a challenge for me. If I can stay patient in the midst of corruption, child abuse, school neglect and more, I can do so much to help so many kids! Yep - it's a challenge alright. And why not?
So - attached are a few fun kid photos to share with you. I need to get back to writing my newsletter and creating the funding needed to keep these lil' buggers healthy and happy. I hope you are well and enjoying air conditioning, running water, electricity on demand, family, Mexican food, and whatever else I used to take for granted! (Oh, I did get to see a few Miss Universe contestants in Natrang a week ago - that was a bit surreal considering!) Ha Ha Ha! xxoo
So - aside from the emergency appendectomy of one volunteer and two of my staff being in the hospital last week - all is well. Nothing more than a 2 month old with acute hydrocephalus to manage this weekend!
The good news is - it rained tonight and dropped the temp about 5 degrees F. The bad news is we've had daily power outages - todays as far as I know is still an issue - At our house if the power goes, the water goes. So I'm sitting at my favorite bar, drinking a cold beer and surfing on their Wifi! Thanks Yim!
The rest is all going according to plan - sort of: I'm working on the first Monthly Volunteer Newsletter to go out to 1000 past Việt Nam Volunteers, also writing a staff manual from scratch, updating the volunteer manual and creating fund raising proposals to create a regular inflow of money for the kids and programs we have here.
I love it all! Where else can I work in shorts, work in a bar (sometimes), play with amazing kids, hug babies who don't cry when I pick them up, pay 40 cents for a Pepsi, 90 cents for a beer and $1 for lunch?
I recently bought 9 pieces of embroidery made by disabled kids at the Red Cross Vocational Center. Mom has them in CT if anyone is interested in donating and getting something in return. If you just want to donate, email me!
I'm building 3 funds currently: Education, Medical and Monthly Wellness (fruit, milk, rice). It's a slow process but I'm committed to making it work. Despite the red tape, hospital incompetence, police harassment and government asking US for money to volunteer in THEIR city '- the nerve, right??? Oh well, that's Vietnam and I'm not planning on going anywhere soon. Call me crazy but it all seems like a challenge for me. If I can stay patient in the midst of corruption, child abuse, school neglect and more, I can do so much to help so many kids! Yep - it's a challenge alright. And why not?
So - attached are a few fun kid photos to share with you. I need to get back to writing my newsletter and creating the funding needed to keep these lil' buggers healthy and happy. I hope you are well and enjoying air conditioning, running water, electricity on demand, family, Mexican food, and whatever else I used to take for granted! (Oh, I did get to see a few Miss Universe contestants in Natrang a week ago - that was a bit surreal considering!) Ha Ha Ha! xxoo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
