Today may have been one of the most personally satisfying days I’ve ever experienced. We left the hotel at 7:30 this morning and traveled to Danang, picked up the crew from Children of Vietnam, and then proceeded to Dai Loc in Quang Nam Province. I could have never imagined what we were to see. When we pulled up to the orphanage, there were people and bicycles everywhere. There were children of all ages; not only the orphans housed there, but also poor children of Dai Loc with their parents. It was an incredible site. Bags with school supplies, clothing and food that had been purchased by ROW had been delivered prior to our arrival, as well as some new bicycles and calculators for the older children who are beginning to study more advanced math. We were welcomed by the director of the school and introduced to the vice-chairman for the district, who was very gracious in thanking us later. After distributing the clothes to the children, we moved outside to distribute the supplies, the bicycles and the calculators. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more grateful group of kids anywhere, and their smiles were the best thanks we could have received.
After leaving, we visited several more orphanages in Danang, where the scene described above was repeated. I don’t believe I’ll ever forget the happiness that we brought to the kids we saw today. I hope that I can return to Viet Nam next year and maybe bring Melissa with me.
Charles R. Johnson
