In November 2021 we visited the Dai An Orphanage on what turned out to be a harrowing journey for our volunteers. Prior to the visit, we had reached out to the caretakers and made a detailed list of items they were in need of. We did the shopping at local markets and made preparations to drive out to the orphanage.
Monsoon rains had been saturating the area in the week leading up to the visit. On the day of the visit, we loaded up a van and began the drive to Dai An. Once the van left the main highway, however, the side roads were completely flooded and impassable. The van driver refused to risk going any further. Our lead coordinator, Mai Khanh, was determined to get the supplies to the orphanage, however. She found a local farmer with a tractor willing to make the rest of the journey. They transferred all the supplies to the back of the tractor, and drove through flooded streets, sometimes passing fields with heavy currents akin to a river.
It was slow going, but we finally made it safe and sound to the orphanage. The children were surprised to see Mai Khanh had made the journey through such conditions, and they helped carry everything inside the orphanage. We brought racks of eggs, boxes of instant noodles, fresh pork, fresh chicken, bottles of fish sauce, milk, sugar, pate, seasonings, laundry detergent, dish soap, toothpaste, and many pens for school.
We handed out yummy treats to the children and had a lovely visit. The children gathered on the tractor and posed for pictures before our team headed back home to Nha Trang. It was an incredible visit!
This charity trip was sponsored by the kindhearted donations of Sharon Kelly, Stephen Milne, and Scott Huynh. Thank you!!!
ABOUT THE DAI AN ORPHANAGE
The Dai An Orphanage is located in Cam Ranh district, south of Nha Trang, and cares for approximately 30 young children. It was founded by the same church that runs the Sunflower Orphanage in Nha Trang. Dai An is in a tranquil countryside locale and has a large facility for the children to grow and play. The caretakers provide a nurturing and loving home for these amazing children. There are also classrooms in the orphanage to provide the children with extra tutoring after school.
