My Post-Sabbatical Year(s) in Asia (or wherever): May 2nd

The Mekong Delta - What an amazing three days!

May 2nd:

It started with an 8 am 2-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, and the students singing Lionel Richie’s “Hello” to Ha (his favorite song). The first day was a typical Mekong River tourist tour. We boarded two long boats and toured the floating market; it was so nice being out of the crowded city of Ho Chi Minh and to just relax on the boat and view the life on the river – houses on stilts, people living on their boats, friendly waves. Then we visited some traditional factories and learned how to make coconut candy, rice paper, popcorn with hot sand, and hold a very long snake. In the middle of the day the sky opened up to a Mekong Delta rain storm. There is something so satisfying about being in the midst of a downpour, and still protected. It felt as if the storm blew right through us and washed us clean. At the end of the day we divided into three different homestays. The group I was in got to swim and have a boat race on the small river in which our homestay was located. After a delicious dinner, everyone was exhausted and was asleep by 9 pm.

small boat touring

the boat race

banana flower

May 3rd:

Back in Seattle and leading up to their trip to Vietnam, the students divided into groups and worked on a number of fund raising activities. Their goal was to raise $5000 to pay for the supplies to build two brick houses for two families. For the three months leading up to the Vietnam trip, students sang at Ballard Market, ran an Ultimate Frisbee clinic, baby sat, sold snacks at events, ran a “Nurd Day” camp, and held a talent show. They almost met their goal, raising $4300. These efforts came to fruition today as the students worked at the site, mixing cement, hauling bricks, weaving coconut leaves into a roof, and building the walls. There were no “slackers” in my group. Every student worked so hard (we had to force them to take water breaks). I was so proud of their attitude and effort. Putting in effort for someone else can be such a transformative experience. I believe we gain so much more than we give – the seeds of compassion and generosity will continue to fruit throughout their lives.

father and son we are building the house for

the house they currently live in

mud fishing at one of the homestays

May 4th:

This was only a half day of work, for we needed to boat back to the harbor, then bus to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City to catch our flight to Danang. Once again, students worked so hard, for there is such satisfaction in finishing a project. Though we did not complete the home, we raised all the exterior walls to around 8 feet (2.5 meters), and many of the interior walls to that height as well. We heard the story of the family who we were building the house for. They live in a thatched home next to the work site. We learned of their difficulty living in poverty and raising a son (now 11 years old). The son is a very good student and wants to someday become a doctor. He does not want to live in the city, but would prefer to come back to this community to help the people here. Through Ha translating, the parents expressed their gratitude for what we have done for them, expressing a couple of time how this home will change their lives and their future. I think our students as well.