Help our locals change lives

Two Coolum locals are working hard to change the lives of some 200 orphans and disabled children who live at the Red Cross Facility in Da Nang, Vietnam and they are calling on fellow and Sunshine Coasters to help give the children a slightly better quality of life.

Therese Higgins and Mark Witt volunteered to teach English at the orphanage through Global Volunteers and after a month of working with the children they were moved by their plight.  They have now committed to staying longer and raising funds to get additional toilets built to supplement the one toilet currently servicing the whole facility as well as a soccer field.

Therese, a St John's High School Nambour graduate, said the funds she brought over with her covered nappies and food for two months for the children aged between 12 and 25 and the teaching tools, games, blankets, clothes and basic first aid goods she brought were all regarded as luxuries.

"Being here really opens your eyes to how tough these kids have it and the ratio of one sub-standard toilet for 200 children has been the most confronting for us," said Therese, who works at Bulli in Marcoola and Le Bon Delice in Peregian when she's back in Australia.

"We are hoping Sunshine Coasters will rally behind us and make donations, no matter how small to help us raise the $4,200 we need to put in a new boys and girls bathroom  and soccer field to change the lives of so many children who use and will use this Red Cross facility. "

Mark, who is a member of the popular Caf team in Coolum, said the children's positive attitude and love for life despite their living conditions and disabilities was inspirational.

"To see these kids kick the ball around on a tiny broken concrete slab and to love it more than anything has certainly reminded Therese and I of how good we have it in Australia.  It would be fantastic to make their lives just a bit more comfortable and we're hoping we can make it happen," said Mark.

Dang Van Quoc Viet, the Executive Director of the Global Volunteer Network Vietnam said the contributions made by dedicated people like Therese and Mark and those who support the project from Australia are much appreciated.

"While the war is not too far in the past and still affects the day-to-day life of many Vietnamese, the people are friendly and welcoming," he said.  

Some of the work we do it is with victims 3rd or 4th generation Agent Orange and although a ceasefire agreement was signed in 1973, this country is still trying to find peace. It would be fantastic if Therese and Mark could see this project, which they are so passionate about through to the end."

To find out more about Therese's journey follow her blog at www.theresehigginsvolunteer.blogspot.com  and if you would like to make a donation please do so at www.gvnfoundation.org/gvn_changemakers/international_fundraisers/vietnam/redcross

Help our locals change lives

Permanent Link: Help our locals change lives
Publish Date: 20 Apr 11

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