www.journeyforchildren.org

We have now been home for 2 weeks and I find that I am daily thinking about our experiences in Vietnam. If anyone ever wants to help in any way, please contact info@journeyforchildren.org. You can check out the website at www.journeyforchildren.org.
Warren and I are so impressed with the dedication of our colleagues on this trip. We rode on busses daily - sometimes a little squished due to all of the supplies that we had to take with us every day. We rode in vans, sometimes sitting in a little fold down seat or on top of the wheel case. No one ever complained. We just leaned on each other and talked, laughed, sang or slept. We were well cared for. Three wonderful meal a day. We shared our lunch with the women and children, eating a little and giving them the rest. We were up at 5:30 AM every day, returned to the hotel around 6:30 PM and dinner by 7:00 PM. And we still laughed, walked, shopped - and the younger ones even partied at night. The Dental Team worked long hours bending over low tables - no fancy chairs or lights. They wore head lamps. One day Warren held a pen light all day so that Theresa could see to clean teeth. The batteries in her head lamp died. Again, no complaints. Only comments about the wonderful children. The Public Health team taught in small rooms, with not really the space we would have at home. One day there was construction outside the windeow. All day. But the women (and some men) sat and listened so we just talked louder. What an amazing experience.
I know that I will spend the next year collecting things like frisbees, balls, jump ropes, toddler toys, kids T-shirts, Kids Meal toys. I have already started. All items that I can send (or maybe even take) to Vietnam on the next Journey for Children trip. I need to work on fundraising ideas, too, as money is needed to house and transport the team once they get to Vietnam.
Two quotes from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." and "I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings."
For a few days we made changes for over 700 children with dental care and 250 women and men and their children with education. We contributed positively to their lives. We were successful. And we had fun. I would do it again.

Many thanks to Armstrong Medical (www.armstrongmedical.com) and WorldPoint (www.eworldpoint.com) for donations of teaching manikins. We could not have done our CPR teaching without you. The Sisters at the orphanage in Phu Loc are going to continue using the manikins to teach CPR to the people in the community.

Don't forget - to help in any way, please contact info@journeyforchildren.org. You can check out the website at www.journeyforchildren.org.