Appointment set

Today we received confirmation from the American Embassy regarding Thao and her father’s Visa interview. It will take place on Friday, August 3rd.
We have done everything to insure that they will receive their visas, but when it comes to the American Embassy you never know what they will do. We have complied letters from Doctors from the NHP, the Shriners Hospital, the host family, Cathay Pacific and HSCV either requesting Thao receive a Visa or acknowledging sponsorship of Thao. Additionally we have gathered documentation of her medical condition, her father’s intent to return to Vietnam, land ownership, and family that will remain in Vietnam.
We are hoping all of this will add up to the Embassy granting Thao and her father a visa. Please keep Thao in your thoughts over the next few days.
~Annetta~

Two families meet

Thanks to the hard work of Cathy and Kim in California we have finally located a host family for Thao and her father. As you can imagine this is very exciting news for us. A host family is a crucial component for Thao’s trip to the States. Ironically Hanh and David (the host family) were already planning to be in Ha Noi, before they ever learned about Thao.
Last week Thao, her father and her grandfather made the hour and a half motorbike ride from their home to Ha Noi for the special visit of Hanh and David. Hanh and David only had 4 hours in Ha Noi before they boarded the night train to Sapa. The six of us all enjoyed a lovely dinner at one of the local restaurants in Ha Noi. It was an amazing two hours. Hanh is Vietnamese and David is in the process of learning. The two families introduced themselves, traded stories and made connections. It was wonderful to see this interaction. Thao and her family were incredibly thankful for David and Hanh’s generosity. David and Hanh were humbled just knowing they were about to do something that will change Thao’s life forever. The energy in the room was discreetly ecstatic.
Ever too quickly it was time for Hanh and David to leave. Thao, her father and grandfather hopped on their motorbike waved goodbye and said, “Hẹn sớm gặp lại” (see you soon).
There is only one thing keeping Thao from going to America at this time, her VISA. We are hopping to setup her VISA appointment at the American Embassy soon. Getting a VIDS for Thao is not an easy task. There are a lot of i’s to dot and t’s to cross and even when that is done there is no guarantee that a VISA will be issued. We are hopeful that she will be granted a VISA. Please help us by sending us lots of positive thoughts. We should know within the next few weeks.
If she is granted a VISA she will leave for America mid-September.

Bicycles change lives

The simple donation of a bicycle can change the dynamics of an entire family. To date HSCV has donated over 160 bicycles. Many of these donations are directly sponsored by individual sponsors, while others are donated from HSCV's general funding. A bicycle can be purchased for about $50 USD.

Many children have to walk long distances to school in the heat of the summer, cold of the winter, and in rain of the monsoon season. A bicycle will often cut this difficult commute in half or more.

The bicycle will also become the family vehicle. They can now travel to the local market to sell and purchase needed items.

A bicycle is truly a treasure of the entire family.

Recently HSCV donated 20 bicycles in Nam Dinh. The 20 children that were chosen for the donation all come from difficult situations. Most of them have lost one or both of their parents. Many of them are living at their elderly grandparent's home.

Below are two thank you letters from bicycle donation recipients. As you can see in the letters the bicycles are very important to the children.

My name is Tran Van Thang
I am a student at the level of 10H in high school of Ngo Quyen, Nam Dinh
My address is number 427, Nguyen Binh Phuong Road, Tran Quang Khai Commune, Nam Dinh City.

I was born in a poor family because my parents did not have stable job, however, they still tried their best to bring me up but unfortunately when I was 6 years old, my mum passed away and 2 years later, my father also died after a long time of illness. I lived with my grandparents but my fate is bad luck that my grandparents passed away after 3 years living with me. I now live with my uncle but he is very old and weak now so we meet many difficulties in our life.

I am very happy to have a bicycle from HSCV, now I have this bike to go to school everyday. I would like to write a letter and express my great thanks to the HSCV.
I promise that I will be a good student in the school and a good child in the family in order to not betray with your care and your feelings.

I wish all of you healthy and successful at work.


Nam Dinh 26th June 2007

Thang

Tran Van Thang

Dear the Humanitarian Service for Children of Vietnam,

My name is: Nguyen Thi Thu Hien
Date of Birth: 1992
I am a student at 9E at the High School of Bach Long, Nam Dinh

My family is in very difficult situation. My father passed away long time ago and my mother remarried so my sister, whose name is Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy and I live with my grandparents. We meet a lot of financial difficulties as my grandfather is serious sick and my grandmother is very old and weak. My family is very poor but I still struggle to overcome these difficulties and try my best to study well and become an excellent student.

I was sponsored a bicycle from HSCV and I can use my bike as the transportation for my school. I promise that I will use it in good way and study well; the bike will be my best souvenir and friend. I will study harder and well in order to not betray to the care and feelings of the HSCV.

On behalf of my family, my sister, I sincerely thank you for your care,
I wish all of you healthy, happy and successful at work.


Date 26th June 2007

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien

Positive Thoughts

It’s a busy time for HSCV. We continue to put the pieces of the puzzle together for Thao. It seems the next big hurdle will be to get the American Embassy to issue Thao and her father VISAs the the US. We are doing everything possible to insure they receive them however there is always a chance the Embassy will deny Thao request to visit the US for treatment. Positive thoughts everyone!
In addition to Thao’s we continue to push forward with other children in our programs. This past weekend a young girl named Quỳnh checked into the Ha Noi Heart Hospital. She has been diagnoses with Fallots 4. This is one of the most serious heart conditions we commonly run across with our Healing Hearts Program. As the name states this condition affects four areas of the heart. Only major reconstructive surgery can correct the problems. Quỳnh’s condition is more severe than many other cases. The Doctors have asked Quỳnh to wait for foreign arrive to evaluate and then hopefully perform the surgery.
Doctor’s from France arrive in Ha Noi this week and they will examine Quỳnh within the next few days. At that time we will learn if surgery will be possible for Thao. Positive thoughts everyone!

Progress for Thao

Over the past week we have made slow but steady progress for Thao. We are still working on obtaining passports for Thao and her Father. We are told that it will take 3 weeks to complete this process. Hopefully that will hold true. After we get the passports we will need to apply for a VISA at the American Embassy. The Embassy is known for turning down applications, especially on the first try. Hopefully this will not be the case for Thao.
Later this week I will book tickets for Thao, her Father and myself on Cathay Pacific. I’m shooting for the end of August. Hopefully this time frame isn’t pushing things too much.
We have yet to secure a host family for Thao, but HSCV volunteers Cathy and Kim have been working hard to make it happen. They will be interviewing a few potential host families later this week.
We been able to raise some funds for Thao’s stay in America, but we are still in need of more. She will be there for up to a year. Hopefully the donation will continue to come in.
Please wish us luck and thank you for all of your kind thoughts and donations for Thao.