For the Children of Vietnam

Thank you from Cardiostart

2008-06-30T13:15:00.003+07:00

Hi everyone, We made it! We were able to raise $5,200 for our Heart Mission. In this November, we will fund a scout team of 3 from Cardiostart International to Hanoi, Vietnam. CardioStart International is an international humanitarian organization that provides education and advanced cardiac medical programs to countries needing assistance. It follows the motto 'feed a person a fish you take care of them once, teach them how to fish, you care for them forever'. This scout team will determine the appropriate hospital to do this work based on facility capability, present team capability, indigent needs and what might be needed to send a full cardiac surgery team in 2009. This team plans to go during our U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday. It consists of an Operating Room Nurse, Cardiac Surgery Recovery Nurse, and a photographer to document the process. Once completed the report will be compiled and presented to HSCV and CardioStart International Management Committee.
It is then that the dates/place for the full mission will be determined. In addition to the surgical mission CardioStart provides outreach work in Orphanages and villages. In the past water treatment, elder care, domestic abuse programs, emergency room and community health education has been provided. The specific program to assist in Vietnam will also need to be determined. If this mission works out we know we can save many children's' lives. Thank you for everyone's support and many thanks to our Vietnamese Community here in MN who help us to make this Heart Mission work to Vietnam possible.

Best Regards,
Tien TruongHSCV
Medical Mission Coordinator
tien.truong@hscv.org

The Van Ho Ba plays for HSCV

2008-06-20T14:03:00.001+07:00

Recently Ha Noi's ex-pat band, The Van Ho Ba, played a private party in Ha Noi. After learning of HSCV's current difficulties with our Rice Distribution Program, they kindly decided to donate the money they were paid to HSCV. In addition to their fees the band educated the audience about HSCV and our activities and asked the audience to open their hearts and wallets for the children we support. Thanks to their efforts HSCV will be able to provide rice for 3 families for the next year.
This is not the first contribution The Van Ho Ba has made to HSCV. In November of 2007 they headlined our 3rd Annual Fall Fundraiser at the American Club in Ha Noi. In the true giving nature of the band, they did not charge HSCV for their performance. Their contributions and support are greatly appreciated.
If you get a chance to see the band don't miss it, it will be well worth your time. You can view photos and watch the band play on their fan page on facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Van-Ho-Ba/39216275011 Be sure to become a fan and thank them for their support of HSCV.
Cheers to all of the Van Ho Ba!

CardoStart International & HSCV working together.

2008-06-18T15:15:00.000+07:00

You are cordially invited to join us for a festive fund raising event to sponsor a medical mission to Vietnam. The mission will sever poor children in need of heart surgery. This November, CardioStart International (CI) will be sending a scout team to Vietnam to plan a mission which will take place in 2009. Heart surgeons and support personnel are currently being recruited for the mission. CI provides free heart surgery and associated medical care for needy individual in undeserved countries throughout the world. This fund raise will help us to cover the scout teams expenses.

The mission in being organized by HSCV.

The festive night will include a buffet dinner, live entertainment and dancing. Please come and join us for this nigh and help support a wonderful cause. Your participation will be greatly appreciated.

Location: Song Long Restaurant - 14971 Granada Ave. - Apple Valley, MN 55124

Time: 6:00 pm to 12 midnight

Date: June 21, 2008

Cost: $25/per person

R.S.V.P. - Tien Troung R.N., B.S.N.

ttruong99@msn.com

Beta Thata Pie says Father Knows Best

2008-05-28T15:20:00.003+07:00

This article is posted on the Beta Theta Pie website The full article can be found at http://www.thebetathetapi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=630

Father Knows Best

Chuck DeVet, Minnesota ’62, and his wife Patty have had a special place in their hearts for children that began shortly after they were married when DeVet volunteered to work with Crossroads Adoption Services.
DeVet traveled to India for Crossroads and escorted adopted children back with him to Minneapolis. In India, he got a firsthand glimpse of the abject poverty and disregard for vulnerable young life. It was during this trip that his desire to do something for children in need, no matter where, started to develop. The DeVets’ subsequent adoption of Roberto from El Salvador, Linda from Colombia and Sumei from China, underscored this commitment and added to a growing family. Time passed, and the children grew up. DeVet began refining his vision of what he would do when he finished his career.
“For years, I had wanted to do something for needy children someplace,” he said. “I just wasn’t sure where that someplace was. And while there certainly are needy children in the U.S., our society provides some safety nets that are not in place in…less developed countries.”
In 2001, DeVet’s retirement was imminent and his daughter Annetta was about to graduate from college. “If I was ever going to follow through on my dream of helping needy kids, [this] was the time for me to get started.”
The decision was made to explore the conditions in Southeast Asia. Annetta agreed to go along. Neither had been to Vietnam before and when they arrived, both fell in love with the people and the country. “I had always been impressed with the industriousness of the Vietnamese who had migrated to the Twin Cities. They had a strong work ethic and placed a high priority on educating their children. What really surprised us when we got there was how receptive the Vietnamese were to Americans and how many children there were who needed help.”
Their first trip was enlightening and full of promise. Although the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a communist country, there was sufficient freedom for DeVet and Annetta to establish a non-governmental organization (NGO) that would soon become the foundation for their “in-country” operations.
DeVet and Annetta made a second trip later in 2002. By this time, DeVet was retired. They knew what they wanted to do, but how to do it, where to go, who to see and what was required had to be determined. They set about visiting and interviewing about 20 other NGOs that had already been established.
“We learned that help was needed all over the country,” said Annetta. “Many more NGOs were operating in the South and Central areas because of the war and where the U.S. and its allies had been stationed. In addition, the native-born Vietnamese who emigrated were largely from the South and Central part of the country.
When they returned to help, they almost always went back to where they came from.” It was decided to position their organization, Humanitarian Services for the Children of Vietnam (HSCV,) in the North and the process to commence operations began. DeVet had been to China and other Asian countries; he was convinced this was where they needed to be.
Connecting with the appropriate governmental agencies was the next step. They followed all of the procedures, completed all documentation, finished all other requirements according to the rules and began their operations on February 3, 2003.

A pink cast for Thao

2008-05-23T14:44:00.004+07:00

Thao continues to thrive in Sacramento. Her new skin is starting to heal and she says sometimes she can feel it tingle. She loves how smooth it is and how soft it feels. In order to keep her new skin from slipping she has to wear a velcro mask. But, each night she gets to remove the mask to apply lotion to her new skin.

Recently Thao had her first surgery on her left hand. This operation was delayed a few weeks, since she had a slight fever the day the surgery was originally planned for. This photo was taken a day after her surgery. She has had some pain but not overwhelming and it's becoming less each day. She will have some new challenges for several weeks, especially at school but the kids and school staff are anxious to have her back and willing to help her adjust.

Notice the matching cast on the doll. This picture also shows a good view of her new soft and smooth facial skin.

The cast will remain on her hand for the next few weeks. This is only the first of a few planned surgeries for her hand. It hoped that through surgery and rehabilitation Thao will gain movement of her fingers. The original goal for Thao to be able to touch her fingers to her thumb. However, Thao showed everyone her determination by reaching this goal months before this surgery took place.

As usual, she continues to amaze us all.

Ms. Alice

2008-05-16T16:33:00.003+07:00

For the past year and a half Ms. Alice has volunteered once a week at the Friendship Home. She has been teaching the children English, but more than that she has been teaching the children love and kindness. She has become a big sister to all of the children.

The children all come from very difficult backgrounds. Many of them have lost one, or both of their parents to drug abuse. The Friendship Home is often their only refuge. Without it they would find themselves living in homes and neighborhoods where drugs are pervasive and would likely fall into the same patterns of their parents. While the Friendship Home is a Government funded foster home, they struggle to provide for all of the children's needs. When funds are available HSCV donates items such as clothing, school supplies, fans, and supplies.

Alice and the children have become very close over the past few years. It was hard for everyone to say goodbye. Alice's last night in Hanoi was spent with the children. She invited all of the children, the house mothers, guards, and staff to dinner. In addition fellow ESL teacher Jim and HSCV Vice President Annetta joined in on the fun. A group of about 30 walked to a local restaurant to enjoy a meal of chicken, duck, noodles and soup. The children rarely, if ever, eat in a restaurant. They all donned their best clothes and the girls used their prettiest hair ties and barrettes to tie back their hair.

After dinner the group went to the local supermarket where the children we all allowed to pick one ice cream treat. It was a hard choice for some, while others knew exactly the treats they wanted.

At the end of the night it was difficult for everyone to say goodbye. Photos were taken, songs were sung and hugs were given.

We are all sad to see Alice leave us. She has been a valuable friend to the children and to HSCV. In the fall of 2007 Alice was in charge of our Fall Fundraiser, which raised $5000. Her hard work and dedication will be missed, but we'll miss her loving and kind spirit most of all.

Good luck to you Alice and come back to see us soon!

Letters from Tan Minh Sister School

2008-05-07T16:34:00.000+07:00

This is the Journey Homeschool co-op from Zimmerman MN 2nd year in HSCV's Sister School Program. For the past 2 years their efforts have helped the students at Tan Minh B Primary School. The teachers and the students in that school happy and excited to receive the donation from their friends on the other side of the world. This year the donations were used to purchase notebooks, special ink pens for students to practice their penmanship, crayons, drawing paper, and testing papers.

The children were very excited to receive the needed school supplies. Without this donation many of these children's families would not have the money to purchase the supplies. Without these supplies the children would be forced to drop out of school.

The children sent letters and drawings to show their appreciation.

"Tan Minh December 11, 2007

Dear my friends,

I know that you would get some surprise when you get this letter and you would have a the question, 'Who would send this letter to me?' I am sure that you don't know me so I will introduce myself to you. My name is le Truc Lam and i am studying in grade 3A at Tan Minh B Primary School. I am very happy to get your letters and pictures. Today I am writing this letter to say thank you so much for your help.

Please send my healthy wished to your family and you. I think that you study very well. I am quite a good student and my favorite subject is Literature. This year my friends and I are in a Literature competition and we will find out who is the best student of Literature in my school at the end of the year.

I am looking forward to receiving more letter and pictures from you.

Goodbye my friend,

Lam

Le Truc Lam"

" Tam Minh December 11, 2007

Last time my teacher read your letters to all the students in my class. While my teacher was reading, I was very happy and excited about your words to us. I would like to say sincerely thank you for your donation.

I would like to send healthy wishes to all of the teachers in your school.

Now I will introduce myself. My name is Dinh Xuan Thanh and I am studying in grade 3B at Thanh Minh B Primary School I wish that you are always healthy.

Goodbye my friends! After receiving this letter please write to me soon!

Your Friend,

Thanh

Dinh Xuan Thanh"

Life Changing Surgery

2008-05-05T12:06:00.002+07:00

For less than $300 usd children are sponsored with life changing orthopedic or burn scar surgery. This includes rehabilitation and follow-up care. This small amount of money will go a long way to change a child's future.
Surgeries are performed in Vietnam at local hospitals by local doctors. The majority of our patients receive treatment at Hanoi's top pediatric hospital the National Hospital of Pediatrics (NHP). Our program was officially approved by Vietnam's Ministry of Health in the Summer of 2007. Since then we have averaged sponsorship of 10 children each month at the NHP. Our goal is to sponsor more than 100 children each year.
Help us keep this great program going by donating now.
When you sponsor a child you will receive a short biography of the actual child your money is going to support. You will also receive a profile which will explain the child's condition and the treatment they are receiving. If you wish you may build a relationship with you child through letters and photos. You will be contacted by an HSCV Team member shortly after you donation is made.
Visit http://www.hscv.org/medical_life_changing.htm to sponsor a child with a life changing surgery

A mother's sacrifices

2008-04-25T11:13:00.002+07:00

Mrs. Tran Thi Binh 29 years old, Thieu Duong, Thieu Hoa, Thanh Hoa 135
Hundreds of people with disabilities surrounded me at the Thanh Hoa wheelchair distribution ceremony, each with their own specific needs. I made my way to the corner of the hall, where I met a gentle young woman: Mrs Tran Thi Binh. Her eyes were dark and lively, making me wonder what emotion was contained behind their veil.
Mrs. Binh was born in 1979. Her twin sister died at birth and Mrs.Binh was left paralyzed. Her father passed away in 2006 after a long battle with toxic chemical poisoning; a consequence of his soldiering in Cambodia. It was believed that these poisons were passed onto his children, leaving Mrs Binh in her current position.
It was with joy that Mrs. Binh revealed that she has an 18 month old son. As I asked about his father she just smiled sadly with a shake of head. The ungrateful husband could not stand a life of poverty with a disabled wife and had left, with no promise of return.
“Sometimes I feel so much self pity, and so disadvantaged that I just want to burst into tears!” Mrs Binh told me. “However I have to try to fight and overcome my difficulties because I must stand on my own feet to bring up my son.”
Mrs Binh’s most fervent inner wish is to gain stable employment so that she can bring up her son and support him through school like other normal children. Needless to say, her son is her future; the most significant aspect in her life.
The wheelchair will help her to hold her son and carry him around the house more easily, feed him and do other errands if possible. She said that this was the first time she had ever received such a valued gift and she would keep it forever.
I am so pleased for her that this gift will allow her to bring up her son, and I only hope that her son will grow into a young man deserving of his mother’s sacrifices. If he is anything like his mother, I am sure that he will.

Interviewed and written by Mai Nga, Edited by Jodie-Lee Trembath

A young man needs a dream

2008-04-25T11:00:00.001+07:00

Le Duc Manh, 24 years old, Trung Chinh, Nong Cong, Thanh Hoa
A young man needs a dream, but Manh’s dream was taken away from him. It has been more than a year since the terrible accident that took away the use of Manh’s legs, and in the blink of an eye Manh was reduced from a strong, hard working, healthy young boy to being a burden on his family. Tired, confused and depressed, in the months after the accident Manh seemed to lose all hope for the future and allowed himself to drift on the wings of destiny.
Mạnh is the eldest of 3 brothers. His parents are rice farmers with a minimal income. After graduating from high school, Manh passed the entrance exam to Mechanic’s Technical School at Ninh Binh province and was soon expected to graduate, at which time he could have left the contruction company and found a job with less dangerous conditions and better pay, to support his parents and his brothers. But now that door has been shut in his face.
The accident happened while Manh was driving an excavator for a forestry construction company. It had been a normal day, when suddenly there was a landslide, and the huge machine upturned and fell across his body. Manh was promptly rescued from death but he forever lost the use of his left leg. The other leg was fractured. A full year later, he is still receiving medical treatment and has not yet completely recovered. For the most part he has to stay inside the narrow space of the family’s small house, giving up the desires and wishes of his youth. It is a bleak, unsatisfying life. In addition to his own personal grief, he bears the guilt of being a burden on his family; he cannot take care of his personal needs, and many a night he has lain awake worrying because of the money his parents had to spend on his medical treatment.
The way before him may be long and difficult but thanks to this generous opportunity, it is not quite hopeless. Mạnh confided in me that he would take part in a computer course and eventually, open a maintenance and repairs shop. Now with this wheelchair, Manh is one very large step closer to making his new dream come true.
Manh’s ability to continue to dream, in spite of all he has been through, helps me understand that tomorrow can be brighter and happier no matter how horrible or desperate the present is. It all comes down to attitude. And a willingness to dream.

Interviewed and written by Mai Nga, Edited by Jodie-Lee Trembath

Fun at UNIS PTA Spring Fair

2008-04-21T16:50:00.004+07:00

HSCV was invited by Hanoi United Nations International School (UNIS) to have a information table at their PTA Spring Fair on April 19th. Thanks to HSCV team members and volunteers HSCV has a great day selling t-shirts, hats and key chains.

However, as usual the most popular attraction was the face painting. Children of all ages lined up to have flower, balloons, spiders and cats painted on their face, hands and arms. The painters painted non-stop from 10 am to 2 pm. It was one of the first hot days of the year, surely a sign of more to come.

This was our first year at this event and we hope we get invited back next year. Thanks to the painting and sale of HSCV items we raised over $300 usd. This money will go directly to our emergency rice funds where we are currently most in need of funding.

Free to dream again ~ Wheelchair for Tran Minh Tan

2008-04-11T09:28:00.004+07:00

Tran Minh Tan, 16 years old
A casual chat with the manager of HSCV made me decide to take part in the “Free Wheelchair mission” programme.
At 6.30am in the morning, we set off on our mission to Phu Ly. My grandmother recounted her memories of her hometown as a place where people were poor and miserable.
Contrary to her memories, the villagers in Phu Ly were friendly and joyous. They welcomed us with their sincere and radiant smiles that instantaneously warmed our hearts. I chatted with a young boy, Tran who looked at me with his friendly and soulful eyes. “What is your dream?” I asked him. His reply was short but firm, “I want to be a photographer.” Residing in Dong Ly with his family, Tan’s parents own a small camera shop and shared the same passion in photography.
Tran was a studious boy and never failed to go to school daily. At school, he studied hard and played alongside with his friends. In the afternoon, he would tag along with his father around the village for his photographic assignments.
Fate played a cruel trick on this young 12-year-old boy. A severe cold snowballed to brain infection (encephalitis) and paralysis, leaving his side of his body completely dysfunctional. Tan’s paralyzed legs prevented him from going to school. His dream of becoming a photographer shattered and his wonderful childhood lost.
The strong boy did not shed a tear, but the deep sadness in his eyes was intense and heart-wretching when he confided in me about his medical condition.
“I would really like to go back to school to study but I cannot do it anymore. Whenever I try to study, I get a very unbearable headache that causes extreme pain,” shared the young boy.
Tran has been confined within the four walls of his home since his illness and handicap. The youngest in the family, Tran’s doting parents and caring siblings took great care of him. The matured boy wished that he could help his parents and relieve his relatives of their obligations to take care of him, but there is little he could do.
The wheelchair is a wish come true for Tran. Tran is determined to pursue his passion in photography despite his handicap.
Tran can now move around at ease in his home and do things independently. He can even use his right hand to work and take photographs
With sparkling eyes, he said, “From now on, when my father is away from home, I can help him take photographs. I can even go into the darkroom with my father and go out of the house by myself.”=The burning flame of faith and hope in his eyes was evident.
This new wheelchair has transformed Tran’s life and rekindled the passion in photography for the young boy. The best is yet to come.

A chance to go to school ~ Wheelchair for Pham Van Doan

2008-04-11T09:12:00.004+07:00

Pham Van Doan, 10 years old,
Truong Son hamlet, Truong Lam commune, Tinh Gia district, Thanh Hoa province
Doan was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that caused his legs to be paralysed. Thankfully, he is able to hear, speak and understand clearly.
Despite his physical handicap, Doan never fails to leave a lasting impression on others, with his handsome looks, eyes that sparkle with curiousity and hope, and his wide, sincere smile.
At the age of 10, Doan is unable to live a life like a normal child. He does not go to school and spends a majority of his life either sitting or lying on the bed. His doting mother has been constantly by his side to look after him, shower him and prepare meals.
Both parents often take turns to carry him to the toilet or to take a shower. His humble parents, both farmers love him dearly and try their best to make him happy.
Like any child, Doan longs to go out of his home to play and meet with his friends.
“I have been dreaming about a wheelchair countless times.. Today, this dream has finally become a reality.
I am very happy! I can get my mother to push me around in the wheelchair to visit my friends. Now, I can move around much more easily and even go to the school. I would like to
say a big thank you for your generousity."

The cost of Rice

2008-03-26T17:05:00.004+07:00

The Rice Distribution Program has been at the center of our efforts since its inception in 2004. Our first distribution took place in Vinh Quynh in Hanoi's most southern district of Thanh Tri. Twenty-two families families received bags of either 20 kg or 30 kg. Since then we have expanded to Soc Son District where families from 5 Communes receive monthly allotments of rice. Today there are 151 families in this program. Each family is visited and qualified by a HSCV-Team member. This program is often combined with our Educational Scholarships and Bicycle Donation programs. Families typically stay in the program for 2 - 3 years.

In April 2007 the average cost per family was $8.31 or $99.75 a year. These costs do not include any administrative costs. HSCV is fortunate enough to have a private donor who covers all administrative costs. Donors were asked to donate $100 usd for every family they wished to sponsor.

The current rise in the cost of rice combined with recent inflation in Vietnam has put a severe strain on this program. In just 12 months we have seen nearly a 100% increase of the price of rice. The average monthly cost of per family is now $15.16 or $181.92. It's likely this number will continue to increase until the first harvest. We are currently using general funding to fill this gap, but this is an unsustainable situation for HSCV.

We are calling for your donation to help us with this problem. Without your support today, HSCV can not continue this program with its current funding level.

A Rice Distribution General Fund has been set up at this time. By donating to this general fund you will support the Rice Distribution Program as a whole. Please understand you will not be assigned a particular family, as with our Direct Sponsorship program.

To donate now please follow the paypal donation link.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=hscv_donations%40yahoo%2ecom&item_name=Rice%20Distribution%20General%20Fund&no_shipping=0&return=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ehscv%2eorg%2fdonationthankyou%2ehtm&cancel_return=http%3a%2f%2fhscv%2eorg%2findex%2ehtm&tax=0&currency_code=USD&lc=US&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8

Send Check or Money order to:HSCV 2965 Spring Lake Road - Prior Lake, MN 55372 – USA

Please indicate the donation is for the Rice Distribution General Fund.

Cash donations can be given directly to a HSCV representative.

Thao's second surgery

2008-03-02T11:10:00.002+07:00

Last week was a big one for Thao. Her skin had been stretching and growing so well the Doctors decided to move her surgery up by one week. I received a call from Hanh (from the host family) shortly after the surgery was complete. Hanh was thrilled with Thoa's progress and attitude saying, "Thao is a very strong and amazing girl."

The latest procedure was Thao's most extensive since arriving in the States. Her new skin was used to replace part of the scared skin on her face. The skin was replaced on her chin and cheeks. For the next six months Thao will have to wear a mask to prevent the skin from sliding down. After this time another balloon will be implanted in her neck were new skin will once again be grown. It is hoped that during this recovery time surgeons will begin to work on her hands. They hope they will be able to create move movement in her fingers and wrists.

Thao is expect to return to sponsor's home after a few days of recovery in the hospital. Her father Cong is always by her side.

A long overdue update on Thao

2008-01-31T17:08:00.001+07:00

A lot has happen in Thao's life since I last wrote an update. Just one day before Thanksgiving Thao had her first surgery. A balloon was placed in her neck. The surgery was a complete success and Thao was sent home earlier than expected. Over the past two months Thao has visited the Hospital each week to have saline injected into the balloon. Increasing the volume in the balloon will cause Thao’s skin to stretch. After a few months her scared skin will be replaced the “new” skin from her neck. They will first replace skin up to her mouth. After a few months another balloon will be placed in her neck. Once enough new skin has grown they will stretch the skin up to her eyes. It is also possible that a few months after that they will place a balloon in the back of her neck and remove the scares on her scalp.
It’s amazing to see how quickly the balloon has grown and how well Thao is taking to the treatment. She is a resilient child and has an incredible ability to focus on the results of the treatment and not on daily difficulties she faces due to the treatment. Her positive and infectious spirit has not only helped her get to this point, but has helped those around her support her. Just by looking at her photos you feel her energy and excitement as she embarrasses the possibilities of life.
Host family Hanh and David have done such a great job with making Thao and Cong adjust to their new life. They have introduced them to their friends and family, School, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas as well as taken them to see sights around their home. Without Hanh and David’s kindness and hard work Thao and Cong would not be in America and Thao would not be receiving these life change surgeries. We are ever thankful for their kindness and caring.
Hanh and David have been keeping an excellent photo journal for Thao. Here are some photos from their journal.

Before surgery Dr. Vu examines Thao and makes marks on her neck which will help guide him during surgery.

Thao wanted to see what Dr. Vu had drawn on her neck. She pointed to the camera and then to her neck. Once a photo was taken she was able to see where the balloon will be implanted.

It's been two weeks since Thao's first surgery. She's doing fine and not feeling much discomfort. She's adjusting to her reduced neck mobility and is slightly annoyed that she can't easily write in her journal. She still has the stitches under her chin but they should be removed in a week. Then she'll start her weekly doctor visits to add fluid to stretch her skin.

Santa meets Thao at the Christmas tree farm. Before she met him she said that anyone can be Santa, all they need to do is wear the suit. This Santa seemed to impress her though; she gave him a hug before leaving.

Thao watches a video while Shriners Hospital staff injects more fluid into the skin expander. This is now a weekly procedure. Thao says it doesn't hurt at all and is just a little uncomfortable. Dr. Vu told her that when the stretching is complete, the stretched skin will cover up to above her mouth. After it heals, then another expander will be implanted in her neck and filled again to create enough skin to complete the skin replacement up to her eyes.

Thao is very emotional when she is given her first birthday cake for the first time in her life.

She has doctor's order for a home teacher. The concern is that children may bump into her and cause the tissue expander to pop out of place. So she has an at home teacher 30 min /4 days a week for 3 months. Thao has benefited from home teacher a great deal. Because she has one on one attention and the program is adjusted to her beginning English level. When she was going to classroom, it was just too advanced for her.

She is very responsible and hard working student!!

Blowing her own "balloon", Thoa hams it up a day after her third saline injection. It is a painless procedure which she as become comfortable with. She has given the little "baby" under her chin a name, it's Allison

Thao shows off a new outfit and Portuguese handbag that was mailed along with inspirational messages to her from and admirer (Amazin Le Thi). The skin expander is growing weekly and Thao says little Allison is doing well.

Language Link and The Friendship Home

2008-01-29T10:35:00.000+07:00

Viet Anh and Tuan Anh are two boys who are living at the Friendship Home III in Hanoi. The Friendship Home is a foster home for children who come from families facing many difficulties. These difficulties may include the loss of one or both parents, parents with mental or physical handicaps, or extreme poverty. More than 90% of the children come from homes that have been affected by a parents drug use. Many of these children have been living in the Friendship Home for over half of their lives. Some of the children are able to visit their families from time to time.

The Friendship Home is a government sponsored center, but the funding received is only enough to cover the basic necessities. HSCV has been working with and making in-kind donations to the Friendship Home since 2003. Our donations have included; bicycles for the children to travel to school, helmets for the children and staff, fans, refrigerator, blankets, kitchen cabinets and sink, new shoes and clothing.

For the past year HSCV volunteers have been donating their time to teach the children English once a week. The classes are voluntary for the children to attend. Most of the children have enjoyed working with the teachers and learning English. It has also provided a great opportunity for the children to bond with their caring teachers.

Language Link is a professional Language Education Center located here in Hanoi. This year Language Link donated 3 scholarships to HSCV. These scholarships will give 3 children the opportunity to advance their interest in learning English. Here is what HSCV volunteer and teacher at Language Link said in an email about the boys first day of class:

"Viet Anh and Tuan Anh did very well at Language Link yesterday. They were scared at first but I separated them, and they quickly made new friends with some nice kids during a grammar competition. They were both able to help their teams and left quite happy. It was nice to see them in a real learning environment. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads when they saw the school's computerlab."

We are so pleased with Viet Anh and Tuan Anh's eagerness to join the children at Language Link. This is the frist time they seen class rooms with adequate supplies and computers. We are hopeful they will see this course as a great opportunity and use it to create future opportunities for themselves.

HSCV owes thanks to Jim for approaching Language Link about sponsorship and to Language Link's willingness to give back to the community.
We are hopeful this is the beginning of a long friendship.
~ Annetta

Donate to HSCV just by searching

2008-01-16T12:03:00.000+07:00

What if Humanitarian Services for Children of Vietnam earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com or click the link below and be sure to enter Humanitarian Services for Children of Vietnam as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

Power for the children in Trung Gia

2008-01-14T14:51:00.000+07:00

The 2006 - 2007 school year was Tesseract School of Eagan's 4th year participating in HSCV's Sister School Program. For the 3rd year their Sister School was Trung Gia B Primary school. Trung Gia is located in Ha Noi's Soc Son District. Soc Son is the northern most district and also Hanoi's poorest district. The cost of living is much higher for families living in Soc Son then for living just outside Hanoi City in provinces such as Thai Nguyen. This higher cost of living makes it very difficult for families to make ends meet let alone keep their children in school with proper school supplies.

The majority of this year's donation was used to repair a broken power line that was dangerously close to the children's toilet. At the end of last school year the poles that had been supporting the power line gave way. The only solution the school could afford at that was to use a few bamboo poles and the wall of the children's toilet to prop up the weakening power line.

Thanks to Tesseract School students hard work and kindness, the students of Trung Gia B no longer have to worry about the power line when they use the toilet. Their donation was used to purchase a new power line and make necessary repairs to the poles that hold the line out of harms way. In addition the newer power line provides the school with more power which has increased the output of the lights. The students now have a more suitable learning environment

The remaining donation was used to purchase school notebooks. These new notebooks will quickly be put to use by the students.

To show their appreciation the students of Trung Gia sent letters and drawings to their Sister School in America.

"Soc Son, December 10, 2007

Dear my friends,

My name is Hoang Than Hoai, I am 7 years old. I am a student in grade 2B at Trung Gia B Primary School. We received your letters and photo last time an we were very happy. We would like to say thank you so much for your kind help. Over your letters, we know much more about you. Do you know, I really like drawing and the outdoors. I wish that we could study and play with all of you. Together we will try to study well!

Goodbye my friends,

Hoanh Thanh Hoa"

"Trung Gia, December 13, 2007

Dear HSCV and my friends,

My name is Nguyen Thi Thuy and I am studying at grade 4A5 at Trung Gia B Primary school. I am very happy and excited to by your kind help. You have helped us to fix our power line and now we have enough light to study by. This will help us study better. You also help us with new notebooks to write! I write this letter to say thank you so much for your help!
Yours,

Thuy

Nguyen Thi Thuy"

Journey homeschool co-op - Sister School in the News

2008-01-08T17:37:00.001+07:00

This is the Journey Homeschool co-op 2nd year participating in HSCV Sister School Program. Recently Star News interviewed Stacy Manning the founder of Journey Homeschool co-op. Below is an abridged version of the article.
The full article can be found at http://erstarnews.com/content/view/1763/141/.
For more information on HSCV's Sister School Program visit http://www.hscv.org/sisterschools.htm

Homeschool kids take on poverty in Vietnam

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

by Bob GraweyStaff writer

Three years ago if someone would have told the Journey homeschool co-op kids they would be buying shoes for Vietnamese children who had to walk to school, they may have scratched their heads, wondering what that person was talking about. And if the kids, who range from 2 to 12 years old, had been told they would put electricity in a school on the other side of the world, they might think that person was crazy. But that is just what happened to this small group of kids in an area homeschool co-op that started with just five families. It was the beginning of a budding friendship between two groups of children, one large in numbers and very poor, and the other group small in size, but willing to do what they could to help meet the others’ need.

Stacy Manning of Zimmerman started Journey homeschool co-op in 2003. A year later she was driving home in a snow storm and listening to a radio interview. The young woman being interviewed, Annetta De Vet, was telling how she and her father, Chuck De Vet, started Humanitarian Services for Children of Vietnam (HSCV) after the two of them vacationed in Vietnam. They found a high degree of poverty in the northern part of the country, but few agencies or organizations that were reaching out to help meet the needs the people had.

When De Vet mentioned they had started a sister school program, Manning became even more interested. She does social work outside of homeschooling and the idea of helping the Vietnamese children through the context of school intrigued her. Manning saw the sister school concept as a great opportunity for the co-op kids to become more aware of the world at large, so she presented the idea to her co-op.

“I said, ‘You know, our kids can make a difference. We need to teach them that even though they’re kids from small town Elk River, Minn., or Otsego or Zimmerman, they can easily make a difference in a family’s life on the other side of the world,” Manning says.

The families were reluctant. At the time there were just five families in the co-op, but they decided to try it anyway. Chuck De Vet visited the co-op to tell the students about Vietnam, the children there and he brought farming implements to show the kids how Vietnamese farmers harvest rice.

“He told them how schools are run in Vietnam, and that the kids have to walk to school, many of them without shoes. By the time he was done,” Manning says, “all our kids were ready to put their shoes in a box and send them to Vietnam.” De Vet’s presentation was eye-opening for the co-op kids in other ways, too.

The sister school, Tan Minh B, grades three through five, is located in Soc Son District which is the northernmost district of Hanoi, Vietnam. The average monthly income for a family is $20 - $30, depending on the quality of the rice harvest, Manning says. Sending a child to school costs $2 a month, but since education is such a high priority, parents will go without food in order to send their child to school. If there is more than one child in a poor family, parents must decide which one will go to school and who will have to miss out on an education.

One Vietnamese student wrote to the kids in the co-op saying because they did not have electricity, they had to collect glow worms to put in eggshell containers so they could study. And the school, which Manning says is not much more than a shell of walls, has no glass in any of its windows. During winter conditions, students can only stay at school a few hours because of the cold.

Manning says the co-op students got excited about helping the Vietnamese kids in their sister school after learning more about their situation. To help alleviate some of the conditions the Vietnamese kids were faced with, the Journey homeschool kids began efforts to raise money for school supplies, food for families, and money to send more kids to school than what Vietnamese families could afford.

American funds can also provide a year’s worth of rice to a family for just $100. A Vietnamese child can go to school for a year on a $50 donation. And orthopedic problems caused by rampant malnutrition in the region can be corrected with surgery for as little as $250. Other key areas where American funds can intercept poverty in Vietnam is building a new home for $1,400, or helping someone get needed open heart surgery for $2,700.

The co-op, however, focuses on school-based needs and the kids in the Tan Minh B School. Last year the small group raised $900 from various fund raisers. One of those was a garage sale organized and manned by the homeschool students.

The homeschool kids promote the efforts because they believe they can help.“I give my own money away,” 7-year-old Colin says, “and doing the garage sale. I’m glad we gave them money for lights (electricity). I would be scared if I didn’t have any lights.”

Some of that money last year was used to install electricity in part of Tan Minh B School. This year the co-op kids helped make a quilt which was auctioned off for $1,000. That should be enough to provide school supplies, food and other things like putting electricity in the rest of the school, and installing glass in all the school’s windows, according to Manning.

And 9-year-old Grace says people everywhere need help.“We help as many people as we can find,” Grace says. “We’d help people from any country that we can because it’s the right thing to do.”

Students exchange letters, pictures they draw and a lot of goodwill toward each other. It is those small gestures of goodwill that are making a much bigger impact in the lives of those in need. Grace seems to have the right idea when she says, “it’s the right thing to do.”

To become involved in HSCV’s sister school program, or to become involved in other ways to help Vietnamese families, go to www.hscv.org or hscv.info@hscv.org.

For more information on the Journey homeschool co-op call 763-633-1023 or email mfgarbinagirl12@aol.com.

A great year for HSCV

2008-01-04T13:56:00.000+07:00

It's been awhile since we have updated our blog. We're sorry about this, but it was a very busy end to the year. 2007 was our biggest year yet, and we hope that 2008 will be even bigger and with your help it can and will be.
The main focus of 2007 was on our Wheelchair, Food Distribution, Educational Scholarships, Bicycle Donations and Orthopedic Surgery programs. Through these programs were able to touch and change the lives of many children and adults throughout Vietnam. We opened doors for communities as a whole, family units and individuals.
Official numbers will be reported soon but we are happy to announce;
4950 people received wheelchairs
Over 150 children received Educational Scholarships
141 families were supported with a year of rice
50 children received new bicycles
Over 100 children received life changing orthopedic or burn scar surgery
In addition to these large programs HSCV oversaw a few smaller programs. These smaller programs help insure less children fall through the cracks that can be found in many of the lager organizations.
We are happy to announce our first student is receiving a scholarship to attend University.
4 children received life saving surgery heart surgery. Our list of children needing heart surgery is long, but unfortunately we are only able to help a few children each year.
Our first medical case was accepted at the Shiner’s hospital of Sacramento California.
These are just a few examples of how HSCV has impacted the lives of individuals in the past year. We are truly thankful for all of the support we have received and we hope we can count on you to continue your support. Your support has come in many forms; monetary, in-kind, volunteering, networking, spreading the word, and interest.
From the HSCV, Thank you for all of your support and have a wonderful New Year!

The Handicapped Children of Ba Vi

2007-12-06T18:04:00.000+07:00

Recently a Handicapped Center located in Ba Vi Vietnam was featured in Newsweek. The center is home to children who are said to be 3rd generation victims of Agent Orange. HSCV was first introduced to this center the Summer of 2005. Since then HSCV has made donations to the center such as clothing items and medications.
Newsweek has asked HSCV to assist with any donations made to the center. Checks can be mailed to: HSCV; 2965 Spring Lake Road; Prior Lake, MN 55372 - USA. Please indicate your donation is for the Ba Vi Handicapped Center.
Credit card donations can be made using Paypal on the HSCV website at http://www.hscv.org/.
Photos courtesy Justin Mott.
The story is now available online at Newsweek.com, please follow this link http://www.newsweek.com/id/72882 to view.

The Gift of Making a Difference

2007-12-05T16:56:00.000+07:00

This Holiday season give your loved one the Gift of Making a Difference in the life of a child. HSCV sponsorships make wonderful gifts. By donating one sponsorship you not only give a gift to your loved one but you will give the gift of friendship and hope to a child in Vietnam. When you choose to give a gift of sponsorship you will receive an email with sponsorship information to present as a gift. This will be followed up sponsorship packet posted to your loved one.

Sponsorship options include; Purchase a bicycle for a child for $50

Send a child to school for one year for $50

Provide a year’s supply of rice for a family for $100

Provide a child with Orthopedic Surgery for $250

Please visit our sponsorship page for more information on how you can give the gift of sponsorship today.

The HSCV Team

HIWC Bazaar

2007-12-02T10:19:00.000+07:00

This was HSCV's 3rd year participating at the Hanoi International Women's Club (HIWC) Bazaar. Once again we took on the challenge of painting hundreds of faces for donations. Our painting skills were tested as we painted snowmen, cats, pumpkins, butterflies, and spiders.

HSCV hats, t-shirts and key chains were hot items for sale at our booth.

We were also happy have many visitors to our booth. HSCV staff and volunteers answered questions about HSCV programs on projects. We are hopeful that this event will build the public awareness in the local community.

Thanks for stopping by and we hope to see you again next year.

Thao's new school

2007-11-22T14:26:00.000+07:00

Thank's to Thao's host family she is now attending public school in America. She has been place in the 3rd grade and is quickly making friends. Staff from the Shriner's hospital visited Thao's class to explain to the class what happened to Thao and what she will be going through for the next two years. They showed them photos of other children who have gone through the same procedures. The children were all excited to have Thao in their class and they argue everyday about who gets to sit next to her at lunch. Thao is very excited about going to school and she is #1 in class for math.

Hanh and David have done an amazing job exposing Thao and Cong to many opportunities and experiences. Thao's first Halloween included going to a pumpkin patch, dressing up and tricker treating with neighborhood kids. Thao really enjoyed going door to door and seeing all of the other children dressed up.

There have been some adjustments issues for Thao and her father, but for the most part things are going very well.

HSCV is donating $300 per month to assist Hanh and David (the host family) with some living expenses. We have received a few donations for Thao, but the majority of the funding has been from our general donation pool. Additionally, Thao has received donations from the local community including in-kind and cash donations. The cash donations have been used to purchase things such as school supplies and clothes for Thao.

Thao's first surgery has been moved up a few weeks and will take place Wednesday November 21st. The first surgery will be to place the balloon in her neck to expand the skin. Her second surgery won't take place until February. The second surgery will be on her hands.
Thao was asked what two things she is thankful this year. 1. She is thankful to have her surgery, and 2. She is thankful to go to school this year.

Everyday continues to bring something new and exciting into Thao's life.