Letter to the Children of Peace Village

Even though they share almost everything, it doesn't take long to spot the very unique personalities of each child living in Peace Village. Who they are as individuals sparkles through the predominate feature of conformity like rays from the sun outshine the clouds. If it were possible, I'd write a letter to each child sharing who I've come to know them to be. But in the letter below, I share my general reflections on them as a whole.

This will be my final post from Viet Nam. I want to express my deep appreciation for your support throughout this journey. Your presence along the way has helped deepen my experience over and over again! Thank you for reading the posts, responding with emails and comments and especially for caring about the children.
With Love, from Viet Nam! Paula

To the children of Peace Village,

Your creativity never ceases to surprise me as you entertain yourselves and each other having races and making up games with no toys or props. You've taught me a pair of socks easily becomes a ball, and how to make a human caterpillar. While some of you are the planners and instigators, and others of you the bystanders and cheerleaders, collectively you have extraordinarily developed imaginations. Your communal laughter literally sounds like an orchestra!

I also recognize the glaze of disappointment wash over you as unfair outcomes unfold. You seem to have a fine tuned awareness of the difference between the things you can and cannot change, knowing intimately the gift of "letting go" and moving on. You are a resilient bunch!

It's heartwarming seeing some of you take on parental responsibilities of checking in and caring for younger ones. I love watching Hip, in the role of father, lining many of you up on plastic chairs in the hallway several times a day, yelling the names of the no shows, until he's sure everyone is accounted for. You are clearly a family!

When there are disagreements and when wrestling matches get out of hand and someone gets hurt, you are quick to forgive, forget and move on. You seem to have figured out that carrying a grudge only makes your own load heavier.

Your fierce determination to overcome obstacles and break through barriers of physical limitations is beyond comprehension. You walk when they said you'd never stand on your own, scream at the top of your lungs when life needs to be screamed about, and untie intricate knots with your toes to set yourselves free! You restore my hope in the natural life force that lies at the core of each of us.

And to those of you who spend day in and day out unable to move and totally reliant on the care of others, I wish there was a way to let you know that I recognize and honor you first and foremost as a human being. But I also see your suffering. Looking into your eyes, I feel heartbroken and helpless, like the greatest burden of war has somehow landed squarely on your shoulders. I feel small, humbled and in awe of your endurance. You live moment by moment, breath by breath. I bow to you.

And to all of you.....Even though I catch myself from time to time dreaming about who you might have been had dioxin not radically disrupted your life trajectory, mostly I simply marvel at who you are.

I love each and every one of you.....

Offering Hope

A second, and separate project I'm involved with here is funding reconstructive surgeries for children born with physical abnormalities through a very reputable organization called Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange.

Last year when the project began the cost of a surgery was $500. Many of you generously contributed and during the course of 2012 we funded surgeries for 13  children.

The generosity continues to flow, and last week we delivered another $2,500.

During a recent meeting with officials from VAVA I learned that the cost per surgery has risen to between $1,200 - $1,600. The increase is due to several factors. First, the cost for surgery has indeed risen, and secondly VAVA has found it important to add the cost of post surgery rehabilitation to the amount. Follow up therapy is crucial for maximizing strength and increasing long term success.

The children are from very poor families who live in remote areas outside of Ho Chi Minh City. Some must travel quite a distance by bus to receive the surgery. Costs to house and feed family members so that they can remain near the child throughout the process is also now included in the price per surgery, as incomes for most of these families covers only day to day survival.

The goal of the surgery project is to help each child become as independent and self reliant as possible so that they can grow up to lead productive, independent lives.

Today I had the privilege of meeting 16 children and their families for whom VAVA hopes to provide surgeries in 2013. They ranged in age from 4 to 21. Surgeries will repair feet, hands, ears, eyes and improve breathing.

I was asked to address the gathering and standing before the children and their parents, looking into their eyes I saw suffering. I shared my awareness of their concern, and heartbreak. Through tears, I offered a public apology for my country's choice to spray dioxin on their people and land, eventually effecting each person in that room in a very personal and significant way. Heads nodded and facial expressions visibly softened hearing those words. I then explained that the money for surgery comes from many US citizens who deeply care and want to offer hope and reparation.

If you'd like to contribute toward the goal of 20 surgeries in 2013, there are several ways to do that. You can send a check made out to me, Paula Griffin, with "Children's Surgery" in the memo, to 1437 Dean St. Niskayuna, NY 12309. It will be deposited into a special account and a wire transfer will be made directly to the VAVA surgery account. Or if you'd like a tax deductible letter, you can make the check payable to CORE Viet Nam, with "Children's Surgery" in the memo and mail to John Fisher at 4303 Old Kings Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 and John will send you a tax deduction letter of receipt from CORE, his new non profit organization.

Either way, you will receive a receipt and certificate of appreciation from VAVA after your gift has been processed.

Thank you for caring about these children and there families!