Tam Ky part two

After a quick shower (which flooded the toilet and all the bathroom floor), we hitched a ride with Mrs Hanh and her husband to her place on the back of the motor bikes. We had a wonderful meal at Mrs Hanh's house with her husband, son and Lyn and John. If you know Mrs Hanh, you know that the words "I'm full" mean nothing, and you must eat until you burst. It feels so unusual (but very communal) to eat on the floor and we all talked for ages. Saw Amber there. I remember her from volunteering a few years ago. She's now married to a Vietnamese man and pregnant. She's tiny! After dinner and vast amounts of fruit, we caught a taxi back to the hotel. I'll hope I'll always remember walking the little lane near her house, arm in arm and holding hands chatting. It just feels so normal to be demonstrative here.
Sunday morning we went with John, Lyn Mrs Hanh and Throng to breakfast at a swish hotel (didn't even know it existed!) The coffee was excellent and the omlette turned out to be two fried eggs. They were awesome mopped up with a beautiful fresh bread roll. Benita and I went back to Mrs Hanh's until 2.30pm (when our car was due). Firstly we had to consume a whole fruit stall worth of gorgeous mango and the others had grapefruit. Then we wandered to the markets along the little laneways while Mrs Hanh cooked lunch, and it was excruciatingly hot. Purchased some fans (Mrs Hanh was very disgusted with our lack of ability to extract the cheapest price) and some balls for work at CHIA.
Lunch just about finished me off. MOUNTAINS of eggplant done as only Mrs hanh can do, rice, coconut curry and fish. And then, I was put to bed for the first time since I was a child. Mrs Hanh insisted Benita and I lie down on her bed in her room which was airconditioned, as she said Vietnam was too hot for us. She told us we must sleep and closed the door on us. It was hard not to giggle ourselves silly, but still, it WAS beautiful and cool (although the red night light cast a very weird glow in the room!). Truly, she is the most caring person ever.
I kept thinking of a story we were told from the night before. Near her fathers house they accidentally disturbed some bones and they were very upset to think of them lying in the cold and wet ground. They removed them to near her Mother's grave so they would be warm and dry and Mrs Hanh could go and visit them and the spirit would be happy. What a lovely notion.
It was hard to leave Mrs hanh, but we dropped her off at her father's house, and she came out with 2kilos of coffee for each of us. Clearly understands my worst vices! She also gave me the most beautiful necklace that I will treasure. Anyone who cooks eggplant that well needs to be adored, and I totally do.
The rest of the day was spent in chilling out, swimming and getting organised. Mrs H had made me take the rest of the eggplant with me (bless her) and it tasted just as good in the evening on Vita weats for dinner (thought I may have never needed to eat again after lunch, but I'm so dedicated to eating!)
The hotel balcony was lovely in the evening for a glass (bottle) of wine, and we were chatting, laughing and emailing (Benita was trying to make me Facebook, which I generally avoid) when a lovely French couple returned to the hotel. Ended up speaking with them for around half an hour, and helped them work out a trip to Hue. They were really friendly and interesting, and although they enjoy a drink, they have unfortunately only seen us in the afternoons drinking. Surely we don't drink that much??? Haha.
TERRIBLE nights sleep. Kept waiting for the early alarm as we were headed to the beach at 5. Probably only had a few hours, but luckily it's a holiday here, so came back and slept another few hours. Walked around lunchtime (stupid mistake, so hot), and only had a coconut bread and pork roll shared with Benita. After organising my work, we had a really productive session working and are ready to really jump in and work hard tomorrow.
Finished the day by trying on our gear at Xuan, and it's coming along beautifully. Dinner with Robyn: scallops, chilli chicken, banana leaf salad. Great meal (as they all are) for around $4 each.
Sandie

Tam Ky and Mrs Hanh for the weekend

Nice to have a bit of a later start on Saturday in Hoi An. Breakfast around 8.30 then took Benita up to check out the markets. Sidetracked on the way at Xuan tailors where I usually get any clothes made while I am here. She is just opposite the entrance to the markets on the street lined with the shoe shops (on the road leading over the bridge). She always gives a good price and does great work. Ordered two dresses for me, 4 pairs of shorts for Tony and Adam and some pjs for Adam in a mad purple colour. Benita also got some great stuff. Only made it as far as across the road, and ordered shoes I didn't need. Then got accosted in the markets by a tiny lady wearing rollers. As usual, she asked us to come to her stall, however, she turned into a Godsend, when she led us all over the markets (to friends and sisters stalls) and I got everything I wanted to buy for the kids at work at good prices. Stiflingly hot in there, so didn't check out the food sections, will leave them till later.
Mrs Hahn had helped us order a car to take us to Tam Ky, and we were to meet her along the way and she'd take us to the orphanage and Peace Village. Wonderful to be in air conditioned car, and the look on Benita's face as the trucks, motor bikes, carts and people came at us head on was priceless. You've gotta love the road to Tam Ky!!
We stopped at Mrs Hanh's fathers house and he turned out to be the sweetest man. No wonder Mrs Hanh is the amazing person she is, having such a good father to raise her. When I saw Mrs Hanh waiting for us on the side of the road I nearly burst out of the car to get to her. She was jumping up and down, and she didn't stop hugging me for ages. Of course, she showed Benita all the love she shows every person on the planet!
It was so exciting to be at the baby Orphanage again, but I wouldn't have recognized it in the two years since I was last there. Beautiful new light and airy rooms. The babies room is a much nicer environment for the kids. It's still a little lacking in stimulation and fun and interesting things to engage in though. We all had plenty of opportunity to cuddle and feed the little ones. There was one baby who worried me greatly however, but later on our new friends John and Lyn who have been in Tam Ky for nearly 3 months told me he has been seen by the physio who is working with him, so I'm relieved. Son, with hydrocephalus is still with us, and today he looked settled. I saw a little baby from the back (who was asleep) and I straight away worried she may have hydrocephalus. John and Lyn say she is blind and has been checked, but I'm still concerned her head seems rather too large. I recognize some of the little faces, and many I do not, but it's a lovely visit. The work John and Lyn have done, and the changes they have been able to make in such a short time are amazing. Out the back, beautiful new established trees have been planted, and it will be a fantastic space for the kids to run and play ball games once the grass is laid. Right now, anything put in would perish in the heat before it was finished being laid!
We also visited Peace Village, which I have never seen before. I must admit, I found it a little stark and sad, with so little for the people there to do. We only visited with some boys, from teenagers to a little older. One man was 28 and in a wheelchair and I regret not writing his name down. He has great English, and obviously wanted a conversation. The other boys seemed to have little to do, but were so friendly and welcoming. It struck me how great it would be if they had an occupation of some sort. It would seem their English has blossomed under the tutoring of Lyn and John. I thought perhaps something like an incense stick maker- which all the people there could participate in, and then sell to make a little money.
After our visits, we were dropped at the hotel which Mrs Hanh assured us was very good value. It sure was, for less than $20 a night, but the musty smell, and the mould on the walls and curtains was a little off putting. This blog is becoming an essay, so I will do it in a few parts. We were up at 4.45 to go to the beach here in Hoi An to see the sunrise. Had a bit of a wait for Robyn, who seemed to have forgotten us, so we found our own way down there. So many people on the beach ! It was cool and lovely and so worthwhile, but now I could do with a little Nanna nap!
The following are some of the kids at the baby Orphanage, Tam Ky:

Peace Village

The lovely Mrs Hanh

Mrs Hanh and her Dad

How wonderful to have a loving extended family

Each day here just gets better than the last. Had a great sleep, and went for a walk this morning. Slightly perturbed when the coffee shop was closed then went into two back to back intense meetings to get the POD (Program of Development) off the ground. We are trying to identify 4-6 like children who will come to CHIA and spend each day in much the same way as our kids with a disability do in many Western countries. These are kids who stay at home and receive no type of education at all. Our plan is to provide a model where the benefits of proper positioning, movement opportunities and education are provided with the goal being to gradually encourage the community to take over more of the roles that initially CHIA will support. This includes helping our Vietnamese friends work out how to structure a whole days worth of activities and learning opportunities for children who are very severely disabled, and train the carers to be able to work with the children safely and effectively (when the carers may not have extensive education or literacy skills). We have three fantastic children who I guarantee will blossom with this opportunity, and have seen two more possibilities and one child left to assess. The challenge is to find the right carers. Unfortunately, the kids will have little of the type of equipment and facilities that I would consider as necessary in Australia- such as standing and walking frames, however, as our goal is to roll this model out into the more rural and remote communities, I have to remember to keep my list of wishes low. The fact these beautiful children will achieve the dignity deserved by any person, in being seen as someone who deserves the right to learn and socialize with their peers is actually more than enough. I hope that all the kids will be able to get to the centre, as transport is a main issue and money is tight. CHIA are very stretched with all the programs they provide, so if anyone reading this feels this project is worthwhile (and with my whole heart I can say it absolutely is), please check out the Children's Hope In Action website. The funding you provide will help many of the children you see in my blog.
Sooo, where was I? Went to see a dear little girl today, who spends most of her day being looked after by both of her Grandfathers. Extended family is the norm here. These men were fantastic, and again, I feel blessed to have met this family. The little girl is perfect for the POD, however, one of her Grandfathers seemed a little sad when we discussed it (even though they expressed interest), and I fear he will be lost without his little girl to look after.
This afternoon, we had a staff meeting, which started with 'team building'. Normally I'd run for the hills at the sound of this, but it was totally hysterical. After the meeting we had cake for two of the staff (birthdays)- one of them the lovely girl who I call 'daughter' because she'd like to marry one of my children. Finished the working day with planning and programs for the kids of the POD.
Debriefing was a few glasses of wine and chips on the balcony of the Cua Dai hotel were we are staying ( a really nice way to end the day).
We hopped a taxi to "Chips and Fish" over the river and met a bunch of expat friends of Robyn's, who all turned out to be wonderful company. By the way, the chips here (and the first non Vietnamese meal I've had since leaving Australia) are SENSATIONAL. My husband and kids won't understand the attraction, but the fried eggplant was also great.
Tomorrow we are going to Tam Ky to see my friend Mrs Hanh and I can't wait. I love her to death, so should be a fun weekend. Holidays here Monday/Tuesday, but we've decided to work Tuesday anyway as we have so much to do. Have a great weekend everybody, and hey, I'd love to hear from anybody- as much as I love it here, it would be great to hear from home!
Sandie

Rice pancakes for breakfast. Can't even describe how good they are!

Lost in the back streets of Hoi An without a GPS in sight.

Two sweet and caring Grandpa's. I won't forget these wonderful men and how loving they were to their little grand daughter

Working through our questions.

Just can't stress how important that tummy time is.

The friendliest people in the whole world. CHIA staff, each and every one a friend already and the thought of leaving them in two weeks makes me sad!

The lives of disabled children in Central Vietnam

Brilliant day. Started by meeting with Robyn the director of CHIA for sizzling eggs. Meat of unknown provenance, eggs and a weird little ball thingy, all on a sizzling skillet and mopped up with a bread roll so fresh you could cry. Also stopped by the river for a coffee (of course) and bought a dragon fruit in the markets. It is HUGE, at least twice the size of the ones occasionally available in Australia.
Spent today visiting the homes of three of the children we hope will be suitable for CHIA's pilot project. I wish you all could see and smell and experience everything I did today. At one stage I just closed my eyes on the back of the motor bike and just breathed it all in (I was in an area away from the main road!) Just magic.
I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and talk with the families and I'm overwhelmed by their politeness and gratitude. I saw so much love and care for the children and we had plenty of laughs today.
Poor Benita suffered with a migraine this morning so unfortunately missed this great day. All of the children I saw would be perfect for the project. We are discussing a lot how in Australia all our children with disabilities go to an educational facility of some sort, and that we work constantly on their learning. One of the children I saw today was the most friendly smiling child, whose eyes literally followed us everywhere. She has a type of cerebral palsy called athetosis, so finds movement extremely challenging, but she is clearly a very smart little girl who understands everything said to her.
Another little girl had a smile like the Harbour Bridge and she seemed delighted and amazed by the toys I had with me. The Vietnamese children I've seen rarely have toys in the same way Western children do, so are often quite astonished when the toys come out. We also saw little 10 month old boy with the loveliest extended family. I regret not asking to take a photo of Grandma, because she was the most beautiful woman. This little boy had rarely been put on the floor and had quite a stiff little body. His family had been told he had cerebral palsy. I spent some time talking with them, explaining CP, discussing what they could do during the day to encourage his movement and development. Again, he seems alert and bright (but hates being put down), and would thrive with some help.
Tomorrow is a day in the office , going to meetings etc. Not so good in meetings, would rather be out on the road. I'm sure we'll get a lot accomplished however.

This smile says it all. How lucky am I to have met her!

 Sizzling eggs in Hoi An
The meat didn't taste like anything I knew, but hey, it was still really tasty! The eggs and bread were divine.

Robyn (right) and Benita by the river in Hoi An

Ferry arriving with motor bike and bicycles in Hoi An

Encouraging some tummy time

Lovely family

He's not convinced he likes this!

Phuong the physio and friend

This little girl couldn't have been any more smart or beautiful

Insomnia

It's 4am and for whatever reason I just can't sleep. Had a great day yesterday. Although we didn't get to visit any kids, I put together files for the kids we are going to see, to demonstrate the type of information and assessment they are going to need to be able to include for the kids with a disability in their pilot project. Although I was looking forward to a field trip on Thursday (that would be today) into a more rural area to assess the needs of kids there, it now seems like we are staying in Hoi An and working with kids already on their books. I've tried to encourage them to see the benefits of working with kids and families they already know, and who have expressed an interest in their project already. As is wonderfully the norm in this fantastic country, the project has reinvented itself again, and MAYBE we could run it out of CHIA instead of starting the pilot in an area we don't know so well.
We did go to the Children's Home here and met a great little kid that Benita was asked to see to look at his reading skills. While she was doing this, I had a long conversation with the young Vietnamese social worker and like a lot of these chance conversations that volunteering affords, ended up having a fascinating time.
Also started putting together the positioning and movement activities that could be used in the pilot project and apart from this, just SWEATED buckets today, especially on the ride to the Children's Home.
Phuong the physio said something so gorgeous today. Benita and I were working in different rooms, but often calling out and laughing and joking with each other. Phuong has commented to me that I was always happy, and when Benita came out, she said we had smiles in/on our mouths, and laughed like crazy when we told her it was smiles on our faces. I also cracked  up four of the CHIA staff by making a fingers crossed sign (meaning "I hope so"). The girls giggled and hid their faces and told me not to make that sign outside! Not even going to ask what it means as it is obviously rude!
As a treat we had a concoction this afternoon with beans ?sweetened milk (I think) and other stuff I couldn't even guess at. You put ice with the mixture in a bowl. It was delicious.
Should probably try for some more sleep as it's an early start in a few hours. Having sizzling eggs for breakfast. Not sure what they are, but looking forward to finding out.
Good night/morning
Sandie

Serious work begins

Have to stop consuming so much coffee as it is really eating into my sleep time. Got up early and went for a walk which was lovely. Even though I thought I was out early, the kids were already being dropped off at school, and the 'drive in take aways' were doing a roaring business. That is, the motor bikes ride straight up to the street vendors, order from the back of their bikes, and roar off.
Breakfast was a banana pancake slathered in sweetened condensed milk. No apologies, it was awesome and I'll deal with the consequences of all those calories later!
First up was a meeting with Robyn at CHIA trying to nail down the model of service delivery they favour for their community rehabilitation project for kids with disabilities. Next, a long discussion with Phuong the physio about how she will assess the kids and then we finally took off to go visit a child she wanted to get advice on. Talk about funny, wobbling down the road on dodgy bikes (and no helmets) in between all the scooters and motor bikes and trying to keep up with Quan and Phuong on their motor bike. After a few minutes riding, stopped and met a family who have a little boy with a disability. Grandma seemed to be very involved in his care, and she was very sweet to us when we left (got a lovely hug). Phuong, Quan, Grandma and I all crowded around on the wooden slat bed where the little boy was resting. I think it was a great session, with Phuong using the assessment I wrote her as a guide. The little boy was very stiff and had very little active movement and as we worked, we gave lots of advice to the family on positions and movement they could try. We rode back home, and anyone who knows the main intersections around the markets will know just how life threatening that might be!
Lunch was on the balcony of our hotel and consisted of fruit and a can of coke. Needed some sugar after all that concentrating.
We spent the afternoon at CHIA, where the Vietnamese staff were having their regular meeting. This gave me an opportunity to write up what we had done that morning and show Phuong how to use the picture files I gave her to develop a treatment plan for the family.
One more therapy meeting and we were finished for the day around 4.45. It seems like we have identified the area we will be looking for suitable kids to start the program, and we will be going there three times a week to identify and assess them.
We bought some Pringles on the street and had a glass of wine on the balcony while we debriefed. Dinner was down by the river and was unbelievable. Banana flower salad, chicken with lemongrass, beef with lemon leaves. Huge meal fed two of us for approximately $10. What a place this is!
By the way, there is the funniest guy who works here at the Cua Dai hotel. This morning we sat for a few minutes and he let me practice my mangled Vietnamese on him. He couldn't stop giggling, so I guess I might have been saying something totally bizarre. He stops me every time now and we exchange some more words. Heaps of fun. He seriously has the friendliest smile.

Working closely with my Vietnamese friends.

View from the hotel balcony

Getting started at CHIA

This morning at Children's hope in Action was very intense. I've never met a more friendly bunch of people in my life and have been dubbed "Mum" as I have three boys who would be very welcome to visit! I am totally gobsmacked by the magnificent work CHIA are doing in health, disability and education, as well as building works and other projects such as helping to keep children in school when their families can't afford it.  I'm ashamed I knew so little, and some of the success stories that were shared with us would make you cry. Seriously, it makes me all the more resolved to work my heart out for these wonderful people.
Breakfast at the hotel was great. Beautiful rice pancakes with mint, herbs, carrot, mushrooms and all the good stuff you could want and so tasty. Unable to get my proper coffee but luckily, as soon as I let CHIA know of my serious coffee love affair, Robyn rang up the coffee shop across the road and one soon arrived. IT WAS SO GOOD!
During the morning an older French gentleman came in and wanted to know about CHIA. I know a little French from years ago, but amazed myself by holding a conversation with him for a few minutes. If I had been in France and thinking about it, I probably would have been too nervous to trust my basic French, but because I had no time to think about it I could just talk. I saw him later on the street, and he took his hat off in welcome, which was so charming.
Apologies to Phuong the physio, as it can't be easy talking for hours to us. They have a vision for the project they want to get up and running, and we needed to find out where we could be of most help for them. Working through an interpreter is always exhausting, however Quan is so much fun, and his English is brilliant. They invited us to lunch which was hugely entertaining, and coffee after. Benita and I have so much confidence now in our new friends at CHIA, and are ready to move on with them to identify the children they hope to become involved in their project. Going out into the community and meeting the kids and their families is what I can't wait to do. Everything about the work here excites me, and there are so many things to think about that  don't think I'll sleep for the whole three weeks (it's either that or the industrial strength coffee).
After debriefing in the pool in the afternoon we wandered down to the Ancient town and had dinner at Morning Glory. Could happily just go there every night and work my way through the menu. Had pork belly with five spice and caramel sauce, and a prawn curry dish. Unbelievably delicious. Need to get some serious exercise in or otherwise I'll need to visit one of the tailor shops to get a whole new wardrobe made. Missing my boys, my husband, my bed, my lounge, my cats and the dog- but so looking forward to whatever is going to happen every day of my visit here.
Sandie

First morning in Hoi An

Have just had a lovely weekend in Hue. On Saturday, used Haivenu company for a tour of a few of the tombs (see some pictures in last post). Our guide, Mr Tung was very knowledgeable and friendly and the weather was cooler and rainy, which actually made it a fantastic day. We ended up having lunch at the Mandarin cafe, which is the place I took Benita to find the day before. I remember it from last year. The food is fantastic, but the owner, Mr Cu takes the most astonishing photos, and you can browse his folders as you eat and purchase the photos in many sizes. It's a long story, but I love water buffalos, so Mr Cu promised to look on his computer and show me some more the next day.
After such a big lunch, we hadn't wanted dinner, but went up to the 16th floor of the Imperial Hotel (right behind the Morin Hotel, and very large so you can't miss it) and sat in their outdoor bar for a few hours. The view from here is unbelievable, and you should try the Imperial Special. We went back to the hotel thinking to have an early night, but realised 8pm is too early even for us party animals, so went out on the street and had a light dinner at the Crazy Buffalo.
Sunday we spent wandering the markets and the streets in the morning. Mr Cu at the Mandarin had come through with tons of photos for me to choose from. He's such a character and I'm sure I'll be back there. We had a quick swim then we were driven down to Hoi An to begin actually working. Another excruciatingly slow drive!
We are staying at the Cua Dai hotel. The staff seem so friendly and our rooms (upstairs with a balcony) are very roomy and will be home for the next few weeks. We had dinner with Robyn Morely, the director of Childrens Hope in Action and got a small sense of the scale of what she is trying to achieve in her disability services for children and families in the region (more later).
We start work this morning and after being woken at 5am by my phone (someone from home I forget to tell I was in Vietnam!) I need my two cups of Vietnamese coffee more than ever. The stuff gives Benita a headache, but I live on it. Its a gorgous day here with a slight breeze, I can hear the motorbike horns, music and chickens and the smell is that slightly smoky scent you often smell in parts of Asia. I regret not going out for a run now, but maybe tomorrow.

I love my coffee

The wonderful Mr Cu outside the Mandarin Cafe. Go there to see  and buy the beautiful photos of true Vietnamese life.

Sandie

Hue tour

At Minh Mang's tomb, a must see in Hue. The place is so beautiful and serene.

I'm no gardener, but everywhere you look is art and years of care and love  in a pot.

Elephant at the Citadel. Last saw the place in 40 degrees and awash with humidity. Rainy today, enjoyed it much more.

I love the statues in the courtyards. These are again at Minh Mang's tomb. If you only go one place in Hue, go here.

Listening to the traffic in Hue

After a night of travel including two flights and a slow car trip (we get the ONLY slow driver in the whole of Vietnam) Benita and I made it to Hue. It's so good to be back. I stayed here for three weeks last year and I really love the place. After a rest, a meal and a gin and tonic, went out to teach Benita how to cross the road with all the crazy traffic made up of motor bikes, scooters, bicycles and the odd car. It doesn't seem necessary for the traffic to stick to their side of the road, and it's common to find motor bikes haring towards you on the footpath as well. When crossing, the secret is to move out firmly onto the road, don't dart around, and don't stop or run. Keep eye contact so you can work out where they are going and never ever argue with the trucks because they ALWAYS have right of way. If your courage fails you, attach yourself to the nearest Vietnamese person and cross when they do. Also, zebra crossings are a suggestion only, as are traffic lights and signs. Don't expect them to be obeyed, and always look both ways frequently! Easy!
I love the smell of Hue and at this time of the year, the warmth at dusk (however it can be horribly hot in the full summer) and of course the ever present sound of chaotic and vibrant life. The horns of the traffic never stop, even late at night, and no walk would be complete without being asked "Where you from, oh Australia....Sydney, Kangaroo!"  The cyclo drivers are persistent but good natured and friendly. The little kids call out hello as you walk past and there are so many tailors shops ("Madam, you look for something?").
Our hotel is brilliant, right by the bridge and we have the window open and I'm watching the traffic go past as the bridge lights change colour from white to yellow to pink to green to blue. Just beautiful. I can even see the flag of the Citadel, which we go to tomorrow as my friend Benita hasn't been here before.
We went today to the Mandarin Cafe and looked at the beautiful photos taken by Mr Cu, which you can browse through and buy from postcard size up. I bought quite a few last time, and particularly love the ones of the elderly Vietnamese, who have such beautiful and expressive faces.
I stopped in at the Orchid Hotel where I stayed last year and LOVED it. They have the nicest staff anywhere on the planet and I was hoping to stay there again, but through my own fault missed their email in reply to my request. I feel so guilty, and felt even worse when I popped in and was given a huge hug. Anyway, if you like smaller more intimate hotels with exceptional staff, stay there (no pool however).
Tomorrow we do the Citadel and some tombs, which is always an interesting day, then Sunday we go to Hoi An to begin work Monday. Time for some sleep
Sandie

Time to go

After considering the need to pack since Sunday, I've finally got organised with 2 hours to spare. Nothing like the pressure of last minute packing. I have everything I consider an absolute necessity for Vietnam: bandages and Betadine because you never know when your car is going to run over a poor farmer on the road to Tam Ky- true story, antiobiotics, sunblock, mozzie spray and based on the likelihood (so far not realised) that at some stage you're going to need it, Gastro-Stop. Half the bag is stacked with toys, books and stuff I've written. Yesterday I picked up my finished Child Development Assessment, and Therapy Charts for the physiotherapist in CHIA. They look amazing, and I hope they are useful for her. So many people have rung or emailed this time around to wish this enterprise well, and people like the lovely Lisa at my work have made my life so much easier by offering advice and written information that I would have otherwise have spent a long time over there putting together. It's wonderful to have had the help of Occupational therapists like Lisa, and speechies like Melissa and Erin. Thanks to all! Off to get in to the Cold and Flu tablets, because just like every year after working in Sydney at Easter, a cold is coming on. Next time I write I'll be in Vietnam. Can't wait!

How to start volunteering

In a word...research! Around ten years before I first went to Vietnam, I'd read a book by an Australian lady who had had these amazing experiences in Cambodia (terrible memory, can't remember the book, but just remember thinking what an amazing and inspirational woman she was). That was the very start of thinking that going to another place, and working with children was what I wanted to do. I've been a physiotherapist for so many years, but only two of those years were working with adults (and I hated it, even contemplatd changing careers for a while). Over many years of working with kids, I gradually began spending a lot of my working life with severely disabled kids and with many kids who have Cerebral Palsy. I'm totally fortunate to love my career and the kids and families that I see. It also gives me a way to be useful when I volunteer.
Back to the research. I kept the idea of volunteering on the back burner while my three kids were growing up, but when two of them had finished school, it occurred to me that the time was here. I spend weeks here and there and would Google every combination of things I could think of. Kids, children, volunteer, physiotherapy, physical therapy, orphanages, Asia, Cambodia and so on. While I found plenty to interest me, it was actually Vietnam that ultimately seemed to have everything I wanted. They were asking for physiotherapists specifically, they went to orphanages and facilities with disabled kids, and while you paid for your own travel, they supplied accommodation and many meals as part of their fee. I wanted to travel by myself, but wanted to be as organised about it as possible.
So, I had my destination-just had to bring it up with the family. Turned out to be easier than anticipated. Adam's school kindly agreed for him to board while I was away so at least I could be assured he'd eat and get to school. Tony (husband) works long hours, but I figured he was old enough to forage for himself (however after last years' trip Adam told me that in the whole month I'd been gone, they hadn't had a normal home cooked meal AT ALL). He's still alive though, so no harm done. He's actually been across to Vietnam with my husband for part of my second trip, and if you've ever thought that travel broadens the mind- I'd have to say to you, that volunteering made a good man out of my son. He's walked the Kokoda Track and seen true village life in all its poverty (but full of life and joy) and in Vietnam, he's seen profoundly disabled kids with so little in their life and huge numbers of kids in orphanages tearing around wildly when the volunteers show up. He had started to go off the rails a little around 13-14 years, but after these experiences I know him now to be a confident, strong, resourceful man. He once said to me "Mum, I just didn't understand before, now I do."
The company I went with (a New Zealand organisation) was very helpful and I had plenty of preparation and support from them. So, that was it really. In the end, getting started was as easy as the time put in to find out where I wanted to go volunteer. That, and having a supportive family who can fend for themselves set me well on my way. My recommendation though, is to fully investigate whoever you decide to go with, the parent company AND the partner in whichever country you go with. You want to ensure the support will be there if something goes wrong. Always try to talk to someone who has been over with those organisations, and find out what they thought.
Enough for now, got to go work. Happy researching!
Sandie

Toys toys toys

Sometimes I work!

Quiet day as far as preparation goes, only four Vietnam related emails. I've just got back the assessment I wrote for physiotherapists from the graphic designer, so looking forward to checking through that.
Actually went to work today and plowed through as much as possible as I'm feeling very guilty- two weeks off working with the family business (leaving tomorrow), then back for only one week before I go to Vietnam. Just wanted to say to the lovely girls I work with... SORRY, SORRY, SORRY! I know I hog the conversation with 'Last time I went to Vietnam...", "It's really different in Vietnam....", "Next time I go to Vietnam...." but really, it's difficult not to think about it. Thanks for being so understanding, I'm blessed to have you all to work with. Just saying, but when I get back perhaps you should all take extended leave until I get it out of my system!
It seems crazy to me that every time I go I have so much to prepare. I wonder whether it will get to the stage where I can just jump on a plane and leave? Problem is, each time I go I'm doing something different- supervising university students in Hue, training Vietnamese physiotherapists (and the odd random Doctor and nurse thrown in) in Da Nang, supporting my friend Joanne who was working as a volunteer in the Da Nang area, staying at volunteer houses down in Tam Ky (Mrs Hanh and Grandma, I love you and miss you!) and Da Nang working with the kids, and training the physiotherapists and working in Orphanages, various little centres and facilities and The Disabled Hospital.  I've met a whole world full of beautiful volunteers, and lets be honest, some that I could cheerfully strangle, but the later I put  down to my own temper and lack of patience.
Another day of work tomorrow then it's off to Sydney.

Chaotic Preparation Continues

For the last eight weeks or so, I have spend most of my waking hours either writing resources, emailing, putting together what I'm taking, or thinking about Vietnam. After a change of plans regarding which facility I was going to work with, I'm now well into preparation. Robyn, the director of Childrens Hope in Action where I will be working, has an awesome project planned for severely disabled kids, with a pilot project beginning sometime this year. What really attracted me was the goal of the project, which is to roll it out into more remote and rural areas. Phuong, the physio who works at CHIA seems absolutely lovely from her emails, and can't wait to start working with her.
Fair warning - I'm all but computer illiterate, and while my aim is to post pictures etc, this depends on me not throwing the computer across the room before I can do so! I'm also really happy to share any resources I've written and/or had translated, but again, that has to wait until I can work it out. I've nearly finished a really simple illustrated developmental assessment and a set of simple illustrated therapy charts among lots of other stuff developed over the years. I go over in three weeks. I can just about smell the coffee now! Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk is unbelievable- two every morning leave me pumped and ready for anything!