Orphanage in Di An, Vietnam

Finally got to visit the orphanage that is outside of Tina's family town of Di An. A very charitable woman started this tiny orphanage in 1987, and slowly grew to the point they needed land. In 1999 they purchased a plot and by 2001 were moved into the present location.

However, this is not just another orphanage. This orphanage if full of children with all manner of illnesses and disabilities: HIV, Agent Orange, blindness, mental illness, polio and you name it. In Vietnam, I am impressed by the number of women silently competing for the Mother Teresa Award. Really good-hearted and determined to help. New babies are dropped-off weekly.

Her business card is in my backpack, so I don't have her correct name. But she has breast cancer herself, and is in Saigon getting treatment. She is worried about the future of this charity center and the 323 loving souls here. They can REALLY use supplies of diapers, milk, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Is there anyone out there who has contacts in the dental world so we can start getting a shipment together? I will talk with COSTCO when I return to see if we can get some bulk supplies of the other personal products and the things for the babies.

As always, holding them just melted my heart.