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Typhoon Hurt My Orphanages!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

I have returned back to the states safely. I left
Vietnam a day before a Typhoon hit the city I have
been living in the past six months. This is a letter I
recieved today from one of my best friends, Nancy, who
has been volunteering in Danang for the last 3 months
and will continue on for 2 more.  If you have just a
small amount (for example 10 dollars) to donate I will
assure you that the money will be put to good use
repairing all the damage from the storm and helping
the children at all the orphanages served by the
Global Volunteering Network volunteers.  I will also
attach some photos of the damage incurred by Typhoon
Xangsane.  The photographs are all pictures from the
orphanages and day centers we work at. If you have any
troubles viewing them let me know.

...

On Sunday, October 1 at 9 AM in Danang, Vietnam,
Typhoon Xangsane hit the city and has been described
by locals as the worst typhoon in many years.
Forty-two people in Vietnam died with seven missing,
12,000 homes were destroyed with another 113,000
damaged. At least 180,000 people were evacuated in
advance of the storm. Authorities estimate damages at
$623 million USD. The entire city was without
electricity and running water for at least four days.

We, the Global Volunteer Network workers for October
in Danang, got to see the devastation first-hand at
several of our work sites. The Danang Malnourished
Baby Orphanage, a home for about 15 children, had
significant flooding.  Luckily, the children had been
moved to a safer building before the storm hit.  The
Disabled Childrens Center, a day center for about 20
youths, had many large holes in the roof which require
repairs.  GVN volunteers swept up many buckets of sand
from the rooms and courtyard. The Red Cross Day Care
Center, a center for 22 children with various
disabilities, also had large holes in the roof.

At the Red Cross Baby Orphanage, a home for about 20
infants and
children, half of the roof is gone.  Luckily, the
children were evacuated
beforehand to a hospital.The Social Supporting Center,
a large complex serving 180 infants, children and
adults with special needs (physical impairments,
mental illness, homelessness, etc.), had the roof torn
off many of its smaller houses.  Many of the residents
have to sleep in classrooms.  It is the largest and
poorest center with which GVN works. We have attached
some photographs showing just some of the damage to
these centres.

Please send your donations to help with repairs and
supplies! Any
amount will help.  For example, a pack of 44 diapers
or a can of baby formula costs 100,000 Vietnamese Dong
(3.31 British pounds or $6.25 USD).  From donations
already received, weve bought a generator for the
Social Supporting Center, which they are using
tonight. If you are paypal registered donations can be
made through www.paypal.com using the email address
gvnxangsanefund@yahoo.co.uk. Just log in and click
send money!

Thank you!
Amy Coulson, Beth Moon, Jenna Mackintosh, Jenny
Bryant, Jess Palmer,
Nancy
Le

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Typhoon Damage

Stella

This is at one of the new placements that our organizations started working at right after I left.

Typhoon Damage at Red Cross Orphanage

Stella

This is in the babies room at the orphanage that I spent most of my time at.

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Author:
Stella (Contact)
WA U.S.A.
About Me:

I am Susan of Thrifty Fun's youngest daughter. I started working for Thrifty Fun in 2005 and have been doing so, on and off, since. My mom taught me all about frugal living and I strive to live a frugal and sustainable life. Since 2006 I have been living in and out of Viet Nam. When I am there I work as an English teacher for 4-8 year olds and volunteer in orphanages and centers for children and adults with disabilities. I am currently living in the States with my husband working on all the paperwork it takes for a "green card." My experiences in Viet Nam gave me a different look at thrifty living and I try to use some of what I have learned there, in my life in the U.S.

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