First stop for the day was at the Street Kids in Vietnam, sponsored by NGO, Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, in Hoi An. Assessed the needs, which includes about five sponsorships for kids to attend university or college. Estimated cost per month, per student is around $40 for tuition, equipment and supplies. An additional $17 is needed monthly for food. Also need volunteers to clear area where vegetable garden can be planted. Time permitting, we may take care of this need on this trip.
Second stop was at Hoi An Orphanage. There are about six students who need sponsorships to attend college. Other needs assessed include a dryer to be installed in room with the disabled students and a commercial type blender to crush the rice for the disabled children. Dryer estimated to cost $500. There are 19 disabled children, ages 3-12. The orphanage also needs books and other school supplies. Children survive on 50 cents a day for food from the government; really need at least $1 per child daily.
Additionally, an estimated $1,200 is needed at this orphanage for the water tank system, to include concrete to make the system more secure and a pump to add to the water pressure.
Third stop was at the Blind Center in Da Nang. Brooms are made by the blind adults. There are also two rooms designated at the center for various types of massages. The center was constructed by ROW in 2004 and there are currently 17 adults working at the center who are able to make and sell the brooms, supporting a network of 100 families.
The Blind Center has recently experienced some financial difficulties with rising cost of materials for making the brooms. Three years ago it cost about $500 per ton and currently the cost is around $3,000. The center needs $12,000 for investment in this business and is only able to secure up to a $6,000 loan. The massage business is stable.
Last stop was at Dai Loc Orphan Nourishing Center in Quang Nam Province. The orphanage houses 45 children; the center receives 30 cents a day from the government to feed each child. Needs include bicycles for the kids to travel back and forth to school and sponsorship for kids to attend college. Also need a more dependable pump for their well.
Made a stop in Da Nang to price washers, dryers and blenders.
After a stop at a silk factory to see the process of how silk garments and products are made, we took a relaxing boat ride then had dinner at Cafe Can; excellent dinner! Time to wrap up the day with a devotion and debriefing of today’s events.
Much more to do while we’re here, but thus far, God has been gracious and we’ve been safe, healthy and accomplished much for our first full day.
Until next time, this is Karin Clack from Colorado reporting as ROW’s “rowving” reporter!
