Reflections on Vietnam – Verse Two: The Preparation

Planning for the trip began early in the fall semester of 2014. During the spring semester of 2015, students enrolled in a 2-credit class where they learned about the history and culture of Vietnam, practiced conversational Vietnamese, and planned activities for the children and youth at the orphanages and centers. The students also raised money to buy supplies, including bicycles, food, vitamins, clothing, and to make to renovations at some of the centers. Altogether they, along with Brittany’s Hope trip participants, raised over $40,000 to support service projects.

Donations were also solicited from Flaghouse and North Coast. North Coast donated adaptive equipment, feeding equipment, and splinting materials and tools. Flaghouse donated feeding equipment, sensory toys, and a large parachute that provided hours of fun for all. We were grateful for the outpouring of donations from family, friends, vendors, and even strangers as their gifts enabled us to provide tangible and needed support to the centers we visited.

[Verses 3-5…to be continued]