Charity donations and revisiting school

Our one day off during this medical mission takes us to a familiar place. Each year so far we have visited this church on the outskirts of Can Tho, which is also a school for the poorest children in this area. In order to qualify to attend this school, you must fall very much below the poverty line. Tuition for each child is $2 USD per month. So when one of you donate as little as $25.00 and apologize for not being able to donate more, you have just provided a years worth of education to a needy child. Historically at this school, the children have to share text books for learning. About 1 set of books per 10 children. Not the best way to learn. We decided to purchase a full set of text books for each of the 180 students who attend this school. Costing approximately $1200.00 USD, we transported the books from a small dirt road, by motor boat through a canal, and arrived to find the children eagerly awaiting our arrival. A favorite is them to sing to us, play games with us and interact with us. Well this year, more than years past, we were prepared. For the previous 4-5 days, on our 45 minute bus ride to clinic in Phuong Dien, we were taught to sing one of the popular Vietnamese Children's songs: "Bon Phung Choi"! After persistent, listening, practice, practice, practice, practice, (with nights dreaming of Bon Phung Choi) our team finally was able to sing the song. The basic premise to the song talks about "4 corners of the world coming together without boundries to help each other, regardless of background".

At this school, 3 years ago I met Thai. The by with the voice of an angel. (See blog crinvietnam.blogspot.com). I was hoping he would be there and yes, 3 years later he is grown into a mature young boy, who remembered sitting on my lap in 2012.

I was also blessed to see Nguyen, who I met last year. (See blog crinvietnam2013.blogspot.com). She also remembered me and zI was strategic to place myself in position to make sure I distributed the years worth of books to Nguyen.

Success today and success for a years worth of learning for our favorite children.