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NL #18 - Summer 1996

NL #17 - Spring 1996

NL #16 - Winter1996

NL #15 -Fall 1995

From: VNHELP Newsletter # 17- Spring 1996

A Volunteer's Perspective

While browsing over hundreds of photographs trying to pick-out the best poster pictures for VNHELP's last anniversary celebration, I came across a picture that has haunted me since. The subject in the picture was a ragged little girl who had found shelter with the Can Tho, Street Children Program. The girl looked to be about eight years old and was afflicted with polio, as evidenced by her unusually emaciated legs. Around the child's neck hung a small bag containing her belongings and lottery tickets that she peddled at daytime, in addition to panhandling. What struck me most about the picture was not her condition; street children are a prevalent phenomenon in ViVt Nam and one tends to get used to seeing them. There was something extraordinary in the child's facial expression-calm and innocent, but sad and hardened-her head held-up in such a way that I felt she was not and could not be threatened by anything whatsoever. From her face, I could read what the little girl had been through during the eight years of her life.

Even though I was much more fortunate than the little girl in the photograph when I was at her age, I identify with her in many ways. I was also born in ViVt Nam, an underdeveloped country. I was once poor too and was among the many uneducated youths who fell behind as the rest of society moved forward. And thought I am now living in the United States with a solid education behind me and a stable occupation supporting me, I will never forget how it was to be young and poor in ViVt Nam. I was like the many other children in my neighborhood, most of whom never went to school. The other necessities of life simply outweighed the need for an education. I remember watching students on their way to school everyday and envying them. I could only dream of the opportunities that opened to these kids who were getting an education. It was not until I arrived in the United States that I be-gan the process of formal education.

Growing up in Viet Nam taught me to value opportunities. Having been given opportunities before, I feel obliged to help giving them to others who have not been as fortunate. I would like to help these people make their dreams come true, too. Hard working and high aiming, many people are held back only by the fact that opportunities have not found them. Given the initial help, I know these people will be able to realize their potential. My own life is a testimony to this belief.

There are many reasons why I choose to volunteer for VNHELP. I ad-mire VNHELP's work and mission. I support its strong emphasis on self-help and youth programs, such as the Can Tho Street Children program and the CGn Th, School for Handicapped Children. But most importantly, among the VNHELP staff and volunteers, I find the compassion, respect, and appreciation toward the people.

Huynh Thu Luong