Greetings from DaLat
We have a break between activities, so I'm going to try and catch up with the last few days activities.
As briefly mentioned in yesterday's blog, we had our school completion ceremony on Saturday.
I cannot tell you how deeply moved we all were to see ALL of the children assembled in the schoolyard cheering our arrival on Saturday morning. They were jumping up and down, arms in the air, shouting with joy. These kids stole my heart everyday when they would poke their faces in the classroom door and practice their hellos. Then, their giggles over our attempts to play games with them would provide the much needed revival to continue the work through the hot afternoons. And now...their faces filled with joy...cheering us on. Very, very touching, and so hard to leave behind.
The morning's ceremony included speeches by the teacher (who fed us so well!), the principal, the People's Committee of Mo Cay District Ben Tre Province Director of Education, and the Vietnam YMCA Executive Officer. Also during the ceremony, I was honored to represent our group and thank the people of Ben Tre and the YMCA Vietnam for making this partnership possible. Maxwell students, I also took this opportunity to tell the students, teachers and officials about your fantastic fundraising endeavor for the children of the Thanh Thoi B Commune. All were very thankful, and very moved by your generosity. Because of the money you earned, we were able to present study books to ALL of the children in the school, classroom supplies, as well as provide additional funds for the required school uniforms (many children cannot afford this requirement).
The pencils, erasers, pens and American lapel buttons which I purchased in the U.S. were to be presented to all the fifth graders, who are now your pen pals! The school had the fifth graders write letters, and they took a picture of each student. The letters need to be translated into English, which we should have done by the time I leave. If they are not all translated, I will talk with UKs International Student group and ask if they can help with these letters, and future letters to the students. Another principal talked to me about his school also participating in the pen pal program with Maxwell. I will work with them on further development when I get home. The plan is we will send our letters to the YMCA in Saigon, and they will translate and send them on to the schools in Ben Tre. Maxwell students....you now have many more classmates...in Vietnam!
I am so excited about this exchange between our Maxwell students and the students in Ben Tre, I wandered off the subject of our rennovation celebration!
Following the speeches, three of the YMCA delegates from the Houston area led the children in a few songs. The kids had a blast...ok, so did we! Smiles and laughter were shared by all. The teachers then presented the International Services Office of the Greater Houston YMCA with a framed placque in appreciation for their continued partnership with the Ben Tre area.
We closed the celebration with ANOTHER wonderful feast provided by the teachers. Folks, I have to tell you, it's going to be hard going back to my protein bar, banana, and diet drink office lunches. Everything we ate was so fresh....and I never new so many fruits existed! I plan to search for some of the fruits we ate on the internet when I get home so I can tell you more about the number of fruits grown in Vietnam.
Saturday night, our last night in Ben Tre, we walked about 15 minutes to a supermarket in search of some more familiar snacks to take on the road for our day long drive to Da Lat. Folks, I know we looked pretty comical traveling up and down the aisles in small packs and cheering each time we ran into items that looked familar. Who knew there could be so much excitement over a box of Ritz crackers??? Don't get me wrong, the food has been terrific, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to try so many different foods. But, as our homeland snacks began to run dry, the quest to replenish the comfort food stock became a mission! I know our baskets in the checkout line looked pretty crazy: M&Ms, Ritz Crackers, something similar to Pringles, and even MOON PIES!! Yes kids, we are eating MANY fruits and veggies!
Sunday we travelled all day to Da Lat, a city in the central highlands of Vietnam. It was a long journey, with some hair raising roads. I think I even let out a few gasps along the way. I'm having trouble uploading my pictures, but I will post some of the journey. Looking out my window, it looked as if we were just inches from going down the mountainside. Oh, and did I mention that some areas were simply dirt road? And that we have to get around workmen who were clearing rockslides? This was a white-knuckle trip! I think I even let out a few gasps. But along the way, I did see some beautiful countryside. A few items grown in the area: coffee; tea; carrots; rubber trees; strawberries; and onions.
Today is Monday, and this morning we went to visit the children and teachers at the YMCA Love School in Da Lat. Once again, I wish I could show you some pictures. The kids are so wonderful. This school, funded by the Vietnam YMCA, provides classes for some 40 students in grades 1st-5th. The students attending this school cannot attend the public schools because they are not residents (i.e. immigrants) of the area. If this program was not available through the YMCA, these children would NOT receive an education. This IS an amazing program. The children receive the same curriculum as provided in the area public schools. If they finish fifth grade, they will be accepted and subsidized through the area public secondary program. There is a fee for attending public schools in Vietnam, roughly $1.50 a month. While many do not find this cost a hardship, it is hard for many families to afford the required supplies and uniforms. The Love School director told us the 5th graders come to this program in the morning so they can work in the afternoons and help support their families. The younger children attend in the afternoon. Maxwell students, we were also able to provide $200 US from your fundraising to this school for much needed supplies. The Love School Director and the Da Lat City Education representative thanked the Maxwell students for their generosity. While the government does not run this school, they do provide the building for the Y's use. Again, I will post pictures when able.
OK folks, I have to move on for now. Hopefully I can figure out the picture posting issue soon.
Until later,
Salut!
Sunrise on the Mekong River
