One inspiring chicken

Everybody has a story. Sara here is no different. We met outside of Hanoi, in the northern countryside. We were attending the yearly dinner to honor the passing of a relative of our friends. There were many people there. Somehow in the middle of all the cooking, eating, sharing, there was Sara sitting on my daughter Lelan's lap. "She's a gift, mom. Isn't she cute?" Followed by a series of "please, pleeze plllleeeze say yes." Which was not yes to the cutie-ness of this chick(en), this was 'please say yes to bringing her back to our hotel and keeping her for as long as were are here'. I thought, "hmmm, what is the protocol at this special family gathering?" Judging by the smiles on family faces if there were any protocol- it certainly would not be to say 'no thank you' to the kindness showed to my daughter and to Sara. Sara clucked around our car on the ride back- actually too young to cluck- she peeped. She commandeered the guest bathroom back in our hotel. The shower became her sleeping quarters, otherwise she had full run of the place. Soon she was traveling everywhere with us in a little pink children's purse. "Peep, peep" in the stores, restaurants, homes making friends were ever we went- a fine feathered ambassador of kindness and good will. Now flash forward- we need to help the children who attend a school in Lang Son- by improving their nutrition. "Food for Thought" is the name of this project. We will supply chickens, roosters, feed and guidance to a number of the poor families whose children attend school. We have volunteers who will assist in all the arrangements. In exchange for the chickens families will send their children to school with cooked eggs to share. When they have more than doubled their number of hens, these families will give some roosters and hens to another family on our list. Sara and her fine feathered families can produce eggs for the children- well, not exactly Sara - as it turned out- Sara was a bird of a different color- she was a rooster. Still the inspiration stands, no difference. If you would like to help please go to the link at the end of this post to donate to the cause. We will donate chickens in your name to one of our families. A plaque will be made with the names of donors to set in the school at Lang Son. Thank you, every dollar counts to make a difference in the lives of these children and families- more food for thought. http://familiesinvietnam.org/love_education_fund.shtml

working quietly- new proposal

The past 6 months we've been busy with quiet work. Lots of paperwork- still finishing up a proposal!!! I've been busy with Birth Family Services- another love of mine. I'll write more about that. The new proposal!!! here's the idea- chickens chickens chickens!!! we plan to give chickens (and some feed) to some of the families of the 40 poorest children we assist who attend Tiem elementary school in Lang Son. the kids will bring eggs to school to add protein to their lunches. when the chickens and roosters create more chickens and roosters families will be expected to share a set with another family in need. I'll write more!!!!-