Dear Diary,
It was a long day, had to get up at 4 am to be at the airport at 6:30 to fly to Da Nang. Taxis were scarce that time of the day. Receptionist found one, parked near by, driver fast asleep. He drove us to the end of the street, talked to a colleague of his. Then we had to swap taxis. We still do not know what the reason for it was!!! Ok, new driver, very slow … but we got there early enough.
Check in problem, my ticket was issued in the name of MATT instead of MATTHIAS. Saw an official and he ok’d it. Imagine Uli’s the trouble we would have had with Ulin Tilly!!!
Met with our friends then we got on board, doors closed … take off. Airbus A321 …
Slept till the landing, small airport.
Our government driver was there to pick us up. Went straight into a meeting with the local chairman of Da Nang city and his staff, 9 people all together. INTERESTING MEETING!!! Short introduction on both sides. We made it quite clear that we want to help children, but not buy furniture for a classroom. They were sort of expecting a short meeting and we would hand over the money … and Bob is your uncle. WRONG!!! Then we were asked twice how much money we would spend.
Again we made it clear what our priorities are … children, education and health.
At first the chairman wanted to show us around – not any more.
Checked in at Sunriver hotel … had lunch and met with Long, an acquaintance of Hien and Bob.
Long took us to his hometown at Hoa Hiep Nam – Lien Chieu district in the afternoon. Again, we met the chairman and 3 staff. Very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We made it clear why we came and what our priorities are.
That was immediately accepted and after a short meeting we all visited some schools, pre-schools and finally we met with people.
There were tow cases:
Two orphans were living with their grandmother. Both parents died of Aids within 12 month of each other. We met the school principle and both children … immediate good feeling, the older girl is learning English at school … she spoke a little. She wants a pen friend. We all just looked at each other – YES that is a case for us. Happy snaps … and off to the next case.
This case is even worse, father was overworked and died after having a stroke, and mother died of cancer within a year after father passed away. Three lovable children who live with their aunt. More happy snaps.
It’s been a long day and we wanted to go back to hotel and have dinner on a riverboat in Da Nang. The chairman had other ideas, he invited us for drinks at a wonderful beach side resort … and then food was served … so we could not possibly get up and leave.
We got to know the chairman and his staff a little and spent the evening having a good time.
It’s been a long, but successful day … we all slept like a log.
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