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Friday, June 22, 2007

Group Home Adventure

So we got up this morning and went to the group home in DaNang. We had an awesome experience and the kids were so happy!! A lot of them were mentally retarded, handicapped from Agent Orange, and other birth defects. We got there and the kids were clapping and so happy to see us!!

Our first lesson we had them draw with oil pastels and paint with watercolors. Their artwork is unique to each individual child and they loved having us there. Lots of high fives, hugs, asking us to draw them pictures, and many kids loved playing with our digital cameras (they liked seeing themselves on camera). We them showed them how to make pop up cards and gave them candy...honestly just smiling and hanging out with them made our day. We were so focused on the artwork but the actual experience with working with all of them was priceless!! We donated all of the supplies including scissors, glue, paper, brushes, paints, markers, and oil pastels. They were very grateful...I look forward to showing you all pictures of them.

Then in the afternoon we got to go to another group home and spend time with a little older kids with less severities. It was more like a vocational school where they learned to print, embroider, sew, and other practical skills. Here the students learn a trade and then get a job at around 18 years of age (lots of them are amazing artists they drew pictures for us and there was no way Ashley or I could teach them that skill in a day). Their facilities were poor and they need sponsors and resources to help these children have a life.

Afterwards Ashley and I got our train tickets to Hue where we go tommorow. We met some teenagers at dinner from Pittsburgh who go to boarding school who are here in Vietnam to volunteer. They were great to talk too and very mature for their age!

We are wearing down and ready to leave but look forward to a good nights sleep in our nice hotel.

p.s. only a few more blogs because we come home on Monday.

4 comments:

Katie Dicesare said...

I am so envious of your experience...it must be awesome to be helping,learning,and exploring all in one trip. Sounds like the group home was yet another awesome experience. Looking forward to hearing more from you in person.

Rita or Jim said...

Kacey,
Happy Birthday Ashley. Hope you had a tiger beer to celebrate.

You are at the heart of your trip now and I know you can see God in all you are doing. Be safe and can't wait to talk to you in person.

Much love,

Mom and Jim

Jilly & Audy's Mom said...

Happy late birthday to Ashley! After all the traveling you guys have done you are bound to wear out. Enjoy the last couple of days. My prayers are with you and the kids you are helping!

Love,

Kelly

Anonymous said...

You truly are at the heart of your experience. What a difference you both have made in a special child's life. Thank you for your willingness to travel, half way around the world, to make a difference. You are changed forever and so are the children. Extraordinary!