Hoang

Today we flew to Vinh and rode a bus to Ha Tinh. This is the day we were most excited for because we got to meet our sponsored son Hoang!!

As we approached, I got nervous. What if I didn't recognize him? What if he wasn't as excited as we were? However, my fears were unfounded because as we got to the front of the bus, Hoang was standing there. He let out an excited squeal as soon as he spotted us and we both started waving like crazy! Here is the first hug of many!

Hoang immediately started taking care of us. He led us into the room where the director of the orphanage and Mai-Lynn were going to speak. At first we thought we weren't going to sit together, but we worked it out! 

During the speech, Mai Lynn told them about Hannah and Alisia fundraising so much money for the soccer field and everyone clapped. Then the director of the orphanage wanted to pose for a picture with Alisia. 

After our ceremony where we learned about the orphanage and what they do and how Brittany's Hope chose this orphanage to support. Basically, Mai-Lynn and the others chose this government-run orphanage based on the loving feeling of the center and how "graduates" come back to see their "father" after they are gone! In addition, the director manages their finances well and make good decisions within the center. 

After introductions were completed, we had some fun with my camera:

 

Then Hoang took me by the hand and led me to the rear of the complex. He took extra care to guide me through the shadows and make sure I was following where he led. When we got to the back, he showed me where he sleeps. These beds were donated by Brittany's Hope a year or two ago in the early stages of their support. 

Then Hoang climbed down and went to retrieve a soccer ball for us to kick around. We played for awhile with other children and Etown College students until we got called for work. 

We all grabbed paint buckets and paint brushes (made of straw!) and began painting trees. I have seen this done before, but I wasn't clear on why. There were no translators in sight so we just did as we were told. When I got home, I googled it to see why. White paint actually helps to seal the trunk of young trees, thus preventing cracking which would allow bugs to invade. In addition, it helps with sunscald where the tree gets ruined from being too hot. I can imagine these trees need protection from sunscald. I think Alisia's arms have suffered from "sunscald"!! Here is Hoang and Alisia working as a team to paint the tree trunks. Hoang was so helpful. He even offered to carry her bucket for her as we moved from tree to tree! 

While we were protecting their new trees at the orphanage, another group of students was preparing the sunflower bags to be distributed into the community. Check out all these bags!

Tomorrow we will deliver these and I asked the Hoang goes along with us so he will be traveling on the bus too!

The reason we hand deliver these bags is because the more "hands" involved, the more likely others are "dipping" into the goods. By the time it gets to the poorest members of the community, there might not be much left. Therefore, Brittany's Hope makes a point to hand deliver these items to ensure that those who need it most are receiving their items. Yet another wonderful reason to love Brittany's Hope and the amazing work they do!

A few more fun pictures:

This is Hoang and Nguyen pictures with Alisia. Nguyen is my Aunt Marys sponsor child. It turns out these boys are friends here at the orphanage!

Hoang has a sister at the orphanage. She is 16 years old, but I can't remember her name! 

Alisia took my phone out to snap a picture and Hoang asked to play a game. First in Vietnamese, then he asked an older student a question and came back saying "game". Alisia showed him how to play circle and he got to play a few times before we had to leave for the night.

I was so impressed with the sweet boy that we chose to sponsor. He is a lovely addition to our family! Our letters and Skype sessions will be all the more special now that we have met in real life!  Looking forward to hanging out with him again tomorrow!!

Beach fun with the Red Cross Vocational Training Center

Today we were able to sleep in and catch up on some much needed rest. We generally are going from about 7am until 9pm, so the days are long!  After lunch, we went to Cua Dai Beach, a few miles from our hotel. We met up with the students from the vocational training center. These are all students with special needs. Some are more severe than others, but all need special services. By attending the vocational center, they are able to learn a trade that will help them earn a living on their own. 

At the beach, we played games with these students. The object of the first game is to throw the hula hoop around the post. It turned out to be more difficult than it looked!

This was a clever relay race where you had to use a spoon to pour water from a bowl into a bottle. The highest bottle wins the race. Alisia got to play all the games! They had enough players so I just took pictures. 

Next there was dancing, because there is always dancing here!!

As the afternoon turned into evening, more and more people gathered around to watch our shenanigans. In Vietnam, children with disabilities, such as these kids, are often shunned from their community. It is our hope that by seeing our interactions, we are setting an example of inclusion that can trickle into the surrounding areas. These kids were truly fun and enjoyable to play with today. Between games, dinner, and dancing, there were so many smiles all around that we knew we were making a difference in their lives!

It's Hot!

In case you thought we were exaggerating....

And this isn't the hottest day we've had!!

Basket Boat Races and Buffalo Rides

After a busy few days, we had a full day of downtime. Well, not exactly...the OT students went to serve some elderly, homeless folks, but we decided to sleep in and catch up on some much needed rest. We spent the entire day swimming at various pools throughout the resort. We kept trying different ones thinking they might be cooler and more refreshing. But they all felt like bath water! It was still better than being outside in the 100+ heat!

We sat in these round woven chairs, enjoying the view, and trying to cool off since there was a slight breeze next to the river. 

In the afternoon, I had found a local tour to go on so we set off with Liana and Georgia to learn some more about the Vietnamese culture. 

Our tour guide, Sinh, was fantastic. He had a great sense of humor and spoke English very well! He took us to a fishing village and showed us the place where they repair boats. He pointed out that the boats all have eyes on them to scare the crocodiles away. And also to guide the sailors home at night when they are too drunk to navigate. 

Next we watched four Vietnamese characters show us their skills on the basket boats. They rocked and spun the boats and looked like they would tip over! Then they danced Gagnam Style for us while standing on the boat bench! Then we all climbed into a boat with one of the guides and they taught us how to paddle it. It was pretty hard!

We had a race and Liana won, but her guide was helping her, I got stuck behind a boat tied to shore, and Georgia spun around in circles the whole time. My mom was the only one who did it on her own so she technically won. Her guide told her she had "muscles like buffalo". We weren't sure if that was a compliment!

Shannon now: see me winning the race? Liana is actually in front of me, but I claimed the win because my guide didn't give me any help!!! (Other than holding on to me so I didn't fall off!)

After the race, we boated to a restaurant a little way down the bay. My boat friend made me a hat and ring out of coconut palms. I joked that he made me the gifts so he could get a break from rowing because I rowed while he created the hat and ring! The picture of my decorations must be on someone else's camera because I don't have it. I looked like a unicorn! I ate shrimp spring rolls and was very proud of myself for not complaining about eating seafood! I might even say they were pretty good!

Buffalo rides were up next! A local farmer walked across the path, bringing us his water buffalo to ride on. As we were walking to meet him, my tour guide and I had a very important discussion. He was trying to learn the difference between poo, dung and sh**. I hope I explained the difference well enough because I think he may have stopped to take notes after my description! 

Our water buffalo friend, Binh, was very calm and well behaved and we all took turns riding on her. It felt strange because you could feel her spine underneath you and her hide shifted left and right making you feel like you could fall off! But it was very fun! ...and only slightly scary!

Sinh, Alisia, and I while we were waiting our turn to ride. 

I am so glad we booked this trip because it was definitely a memorable experience and it was fun to talk to Vietnamese natives and hear their stories. 

10 Things I never thought I would say before traveling to Vietnam

By Alisia and Shannon

1. Hey! You stole all the cold water! (In the shower)

2. Look! A blue gecko! 

3. This pool isn't cold enough.

4. Snake wine? I'll pass!

5. When crossing the road: Just keep walking, the cars will go around you!

6. Yes! A gecko in my room! (They eat the cockroaches)

7. Rice, again???

8. Make sure you check the suitcases for cockroaches before we leave!

9.  Wow! I only got 17 bug bites today!

10. How many babies do you think we can sneak on the airplane?

Red Cross Orphanage and Vocational Training Center

Today we left the hotel at an ungodly hour when nobody should be awake. Although it was 5pm in PA so I guess I shouldn't complain. We caught a flight to our next location and went directly to the center that we serve. 

At the vocational training center, we donated computers, printers and a rice cooker:

Then they taught us some of their trades, like printing:

They also sold us some of their product. I bought this awesome handmade scarf, made by the girl in this picture. I'm hoping to make it into a pillow:

We also spent time at the Red Cross Orphanage. When we first arrived, this little boy wouldn't let anyone near him. But Alisia was persistent and by the end, he wouldn't let go!

We donated a refrigerator to the center

as well as a sewing and cutting machine so the workers could make the children clothing. 

We also donated some other supplies like baby wash, clothing, Tide, Advil and other items:

 

If I want to be in a picture, it is usually a selfie, so here is one of me and one of the little girls I was holding. We must have played "this little piggy" 50 times! She giggled and loved it every time!!

The groups were very appreciative of the support we provided their children. Over and over, the Vietnamese people say thank you and thank you again. They also wish good health quite frequently. It's really very sweet!!

On the way home, we had time for a quick tour of marble mountains. This is clearly a very spiritual place as we saw a lot of people praying there. We didn't realize we could have climbed to the peak so we missed out on going to "heaven", but it was still a really neat place to explore for a few minutes. Here are some pictures:

We haven't really learned any Vietnamese on this trip except for one word: Kem means ice cream! Alisia eats it daily!! 

This is a pre-dinner dip in the pool which led to a post-dinner full swim. We enjoyed the pool although it isn't too refreshing. It's more like bath water! But, then again, when it's 110 degrees with high humidity, I'm not sure what would feel refreshing?!? 

Unless they had air conditioning....which they don't. Well, they have the equivalent of a window unit but they rigged it so that it turns off when you are out of your bedroom. After spending all day out and about, it takes all night to get even a little bit cool. We are doing our best to embrace the heat. Sweat pours down us and we simply wipe it up or, better yet, just let it drip! No need to complain because it isn't going to help you cool off!! Alisia had been outstanding on this trip. Tolerating the heat and the busy schedule like a champ. These are long busy days but she is keeping up without a problem! Tomorrow is an off day where we can do our own thing. I found a flyer for a ride on a water buffalo through the countryside and then rowing on these round boats they have. I can't wait to experience a little of the Vietnamese culture tomorrow!!

Beach Day

Today was a big field trip for the House of Love and the Warm House kids. The Warm House girls had never been to the beach before today, but they were quick learners. One called me over saying "Sannon, how swim?" Swim guru that I am, I showed her the doggy paddle and she perfected it within seconds, swimming all around! They were very quick learners and had a great time on their field trip! Of course, no visit would be complete without music and dancing:

At the end of the day, we were sad to leave because we had spent so much time with this group of children. Tears were shed and last hugs were given. I think it helped that the beach was there to distract the kids because they stayed and swam for a little longer after we left. Meanwhile, many on the bus cried as we pulled away knowing that we were saying goodbye for the last time.  Alisia and I talked about how even though we can't bring all of the children home with us, it's nice to know that the work Brittany's Hope is doing provides them with loving care. These are all happy, well-adjusted kids that form a tight knit community within the House of Love. We are confident that our visit made a difference in their lives and provided them with many extra hugs and love during our visit there. 

Here are a few pictures I took...

Some of our friends from Etown College. Amanda gets major props for keeping up despite a bad foot! She always has a smile on her face no matter what:

Ali and some Warm House girls:

Warm House and House of Love students at the beach:

Dinner at the "special table":

House of Love-Day 2

Post by Alisia: Today we went to the House of Love for the second time. When we first got there, we handed out stickers to all the kids. Some of my little friends covered me in stickers!

Then we had a dance party. We danced the Macarena, Cha Cha slide, Cupid Shuffle and electric slide. We taught some of the kids how to dance and they really enjoyed it! 

Shannon now:

Next we ate lunch and then had nap time. I slept and Alisia played with some of the kids who weren't napping. We spent the afternoon hanging out and playing with the kids. Here is Alisia with one of the babies she wants me to bring home:

For the older kids, we made Friendship/Valentine's Day cards and friendship bracelets:

In the evening, we handed out gifts and the House of Love kids performed dances for us. 

Check out this gift table!

Here are the bikes many of you donated:

And two motorbikes for the orphanage! They were very excited about these!!

After we gave gifts--a bag for everyone--the children performed a dance for us and we ate dinner. 

This girl came over to me and took everything out of her bag so she could pose for a picture. She was very happy about her gifts!

Dance moves:

They weren't sure what to do with shinguards. I showed him how to put it on his leg, but he liked it here better:

Cake to end the night for Olivia's birthday and all the children with birthdays in May. 

Our fundraising also supported the kitchen renovations at the House of Love. Sister said it used to take them 3 hours to cook all their rice. But with this new cooker, they can cook it all in 30 minutes:

We also provided them with these large cooking areas for stir fry and frying food:

The nuns were very thankful for these useful kitchen additions!!