the plaque, the photos and the camera

I planned on getting lots of photos- I planned on bringing them home. well the best laid plans.....

Along with our FIV charity work, Son and I had a chance to visit birthfamilies for our private work. We visit birthfamlies - provide info, photos, translated letters, get info, photos, video of the Bf. We check on health, try to get a family health history, see if there are siblings who need help to go to school, or doctors.We do much more for the both families. We go between to the degree that is respectful and wanted by both parties. Every Bf and every Ap has different feelings about this life long relatedness. We do this for our children- and all our children born in Viet Nam who are being raised around the world.

So- while visiting a home- I left my camera!!! boo hoo- we were able to confirm it was there. Made arrangements to meet them a few days later. sob sob... oh well you can guess the rest.

I really thought they would bring it- for one thing- they knew we knew they had it. For another thing- we came bearing gifts.

Most of my photos were in that camera- what I downloaded is basically what you see. Even the photos of my 2 daughters visits with their birth families are missing- new babies in the families and all.

well the chickens- they are another story.!!!!

and the plaque is in motion- more on that too

we saw many interesting activites on the streets on the rode heading to and from Lang Son. This was a village closer to LS town enacting a religious celebration. The adults carrying the large gold temple would be chased by the younger people where ever he went- it looked like a game - the same group of younger people did the chasing.

How is this for wonderful ?? this is the new vegetable garden at our school- i was so excited to see this- I think this is the type of project that can really help the children. in this picture is the school principal and Son- we have a big gong in our back yard - actually on our deck. Just this moment it fell down and made a loud noise. I like to think it's a good sign- a joyful noise- to ring in a new time of health and learning for the children of this school. Son and the principal whose name I cannot remember- but will find and publish. She is so positive. She asked if we could have the chicken families send in money- after they sell the chickens instead of bringing in the chickens. It is hard to plan for the lunches when the children show up this day and that day- instead, chicken prices are up- if a family sells the chicken for top dollar and gives the school a total of 1 million dong then the school can buy pork for the children- plus plan ahead. We agreed with them- to make it easier, to make it work, to feed the children. we are on our way to the school. it is up ahead, see that camera in the mirror- it is still in viet nam and I'm not here are the children you feed. just some of them so cute, sweet, look so bright and today with a better chance than yesterday

here's a happy moment- with the Ambassador from Viet Nam - that's Lacey in her Aoi Da and sneakers! this was about a week before we left for Hanoi.

March 2010.

I realized I don't share feelings here other than my gratitude for your support. It is a privledge to work with this school, the children and you. I am grateful. How to share the moment to moment feelings here has puzzled me. It's overwelming sometimes and so very sad. We have a program where you can sponsor children. One of my tasks was to visit with these families - deliver food, access their needs, and ask the sponsored child to write a letter or draw a picture for their sponsor. One little boy wrote he loves his mother and father. He wishes his father would not drink. His story is when his father drinks he is abusive. His mother is away now working = his grandmother and aunt are watching him, he stays with them- although his (often drunken) father is nearby. He and his siblings were eating leaves of plants because they were hungry. the plants have a laxative effect. We brought money for food, advice t not eat the plant and why- but the saddest moment was watching the 4 yr old yongest son cry - wail, when he learned he couldn't come with us to see his mother- and she wouldn't be back for another week- he has been waiting 2 months- since our last board member visitied- I still hear him crying, and see him in my minds eye- I'm sorry to share such a sad sad sad experience- this little bright, funny sweet 4 year old- crying for his emotional life. Son or Hoa will bring his mother to visit- it was a 5 hour ride one way for us-they will bring her next week- but it was the hardest thing to leave- and I still wonder if I should not have said- come with us- we will figure it out- and some how bring you back too- I don't know-

SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010 Here is the new improved lunch at our elementary school in Lang Son- Soup is being served by one of the teachers- but look at what is in each school lunch- supplies by the school- with your help!!! the students were well behaved- maybe even more so because we were there- Son and myself- many many thanks- for the children in this room- this is there main meal of the day.

home again home again jiggidy jig

we are home- sleeping- around the clock- up for 15 to 20 minutes at a time- enough time to check email, farmville, feed the dog, look at the mess of suitcases, laundry, paper plates growing, dishes growing, and go back to sleep!

Did I tell you I left my camera at a home in the mountains of Lang Son??? yes, I did!

I have some pictures- the ones I've already tried to place here- no luck.

I'll keep trying. On Sunday my friend Cathy comes to visit- she's computer smart so I can expect some pictures will be up to share- yea! for smart friends :)

okay this is my 4th time trying to upload a photo with no good luck. hmmph.

we have visited the school a couple of times, have more families to visit and chickens to give out

changed chicken policy, discussed the plaque, location and layout- saw the children eating their special lunches- and photoed it for you- walked through the NEW veggie garden at the school - yes yes yes- it is small - but it is a great beginning- the kids take turns watering it. i feel the administrators of the school get how important the food for thought project is to us- that's good. I feel so happy and positive now- thanks to you too.

we're back

each time we return to Viet Nam we are more happy and excited to be here. it feels like returning to a home of our hearts, with so much to explore and learn. for me it is also a matter of knowing so much can change in a year- and i am grateful we are all here together, safe and sound.

Son and I met yesterday to set a schedule of trips. We plan on 5 long day trips to LS- leaving at 5am- returning whenever that days work is done- and another long day south to another province.

We are working on our Food for Thought project- thank you to the many donors!!! I enjoy learning about the ins and outs of how this projects goes, it's problems, challenges and so on. I'm eager to share the process with you too. Sometimes a family chosen doesn't have the skill set to maintain the chickens- a combination of many factors- sometimes the chickens are just eaten- you know, if you are hungry and they are there- oh well- it makes sense to me. However to keep the program working and growing we need to include families that can be take care of the chickens as well as families that we hope to teach and who want to learn. The purpose of the program is to send chickens and eggs to the school to improve the nutrition of the children, especially the poorest children who cannot walk back home during lunch.

I have some photos to download and more to share

many thanks to all of you for your support

our own little traveling sister

yesterday lelan and I were talking about lang son- the chicken project, the needs of the children at the school. I told her- we need to raise more money to help feed the children until our program takes hold- until we have lots of chickens and pigs for many families- she said, "really?" I nodded and added "these kids can't go to their refrigorator like us or you and pick out some yummy snack." I told her, "I expect you to help too" "me?" "Yes, you can too."
Lelan went upstairs to her room. there she opened her piggy bank and began counting. "25 dollars and 25 cents. will that help, mom?"

Yes, it will, lelan- and I didn't know how to put into words how what she did would help her mom, her friends and all of you who donate too.

A link to the helping and traveling sisters blog about Lang son

Below is the link to their blog- and in their own words they describe our school in Lang Son, the students, staff, and of course, the work being done as a result of your donations!! Plus new photos- enjoy.


http://twotravelingsisters.blogspot.com/2010/01/lang-son.html#links

a glimpse into food for thought

Here is one of our 'food for thought' chicken project families- here is a happier family- and soon a healthier one- thanks to you. So many of us have been to Vietnam- to Lang Son- We can imagine this family struggling to feed all of the children and keep them in school. They look so young- they are- the oldest is 9, the youngest, 18 months.

We hope the chickens help- and eventually help other like families. The school has a great idea to add a pig to our gifts-

They are careful- wanting this project to work for the long run for each family. We are growing this project together, like a farm or a plant- it can't be rushed- Until it is firmly rooted in the community- and serving the 40 poorest families whose children attend school- we are asked to give monthly towards supplementing the lunch the school serves.

Will you help? Please make a donation.

See that cutie below? Help her have a turn at school.

Her life can be better, her future safer because you care and can help. Every little bit helps. She is counting on us-

To donate please click on the link below. many thanks from many hearts.

http://familiesinvietnam.org/love_education_fund.shtml

chicks and hens

we are so lucky to have a great school staff and administration to work together on these projects! the school officials step up to the plate- taking on more work- to help make these projects work. they will keep track of the families- to see if the family fulfills it's contract to send eggs in to the school- this is something we couldn't do- we don't have the staff or the volunteers who live near the school- this project's success depends upon the teachers and staff helping - you can see why I feel we are so lucky. The administration thought it best to start small- and build- also- depending upon how this goes- to add a pig to each group of chickens. We've given 30 chickens to each of 3 families plus start up feed and advice on raising them. The school had each family sign a contract too. the "traveling sisters" who volunteered going to Lang Son with Son our program manager- helped tremendously- delivering the chickens and feed! they sent photo-s but I am having tech difficulties getting them here. I hope to have them write something that I'll post here- so you can get there first hand view of the project - when I heard about the "plus one pig" i was all for it- but couldn't wrap my head around- what was 1 pig going to do? would they eat it or sell/eat it ? and then- where is the next pig going to come from? I had a quick chat with Valerie, founder and president of FIV- she explained to me when the pigs are old enough to "date" one pig can go out with another- and that's where the next pig will come from!!! - hmmm, that illusive obvious!