In July of 2011, 3 Viet Fellows were assigned to volunteer at Thi Nghe Orphanage to fulfill a two-week service-learning component of our educational tour in Viet Nam. During our time we were able to learn from the members of the Thi Nghe community. Through this video we hope to highlight the stories of three people […]
Nấm đông cô. In Chinese, it is known as the fragrant mushroom; in England, the black forest mushroom. But we know nấm đông cô best by its Japanese name: the shiitake mushroom. Today, the shiitake is a delicacy in numerous Asian cultures. Its cultivation begins with a log of hardwood – such as oak, beech, […]
If there’s one person I won’t ever forget during my time in Vietnam, it’s Thủy. The first day I met her at Từ Dũ Hospital, she welcomed me with open arms. I can never forget her smile, a smile so generous and kind. I remember her asking me quizzical questions about America and about […]
Friday, July 29th, 2011 Dear Buddies, This past Friday I made a trip out to Ngu Han Son (the Mountains of 5 Elements) to conduct field visits with my project manager, Anh Tuan. After compiling care-giving guidelines for children with disabilities in the comfort and isolation of Children of Vietnam’s (COV) office, I was ready […]
6:25am: Phone alarm goes off. Hit Snooze. 6:30am: Hit Snooze again. 6:45am: Finish getting ready and take out the bike. A little ashamed that the 4’11”, 95lb trash-lady has to help me again. How does she make it look so easy? Drive off while reminding myself to get her a present before I leave. 6:50am: […]
Facing Song Ha (Ha River), I sat on a wooden stool in a coffee shop to escape from the rain. Two hours passed by, the rain has stopped but the sky was still gray. Distorting reflections of the sky and trees, motor scooters cut through puddles on the pavement. It was the first time during […]
The following is a preview of “Smiles,” a soon to be released short video of Susan Nguyen, Mark Kim Nguyen, and Lan Ngo’s time at Thi Nghe orphanage. Two thumbs up already!
In a matter of four days, I walked in and out of her life. So easily, so relentlessly, I turned my back towarded her and disappeared. Her eyes were luminous, her eyelashes long. Within seconds, I saw them droop, tears then cascaded into a waterfall. I watched her face grow red as she wrapped her […]
“Chừng nào anh trở đây lại?” the young boy said as he ran towards me. When will you come back? This was the first thing the boy said to me as I stepped into the orphanage. I didn’t know what to answer. I was taken aback by his directness. Before we had said hi, before we had […]
Déjà vu. That age-old phenomenon of feeling sure that one has already witnessed or experienced a current situation, despite not remembering the exact circumstance or details. The conjured feeling that blurred a dream with reality, familiarity with mystery. Where the first week was an educational orientation that sought to inform me and the other 13 […]
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