Scholarship/Orphanage Day 2 (7/19) || Shierica Vea Veloria

Almost a week into the mission trip and day 2 of orphanage days, I was looking forward to stepping outside my bubble and playing with the kids! I felt as though I was progressively learning the culture in Vietnam…

My day started with me waking up at 7:15 a.m., giving me enough time to speed run my morning routine to make it to our 8 a.m. call time. Luckily, my roommate, Michelle, got me coffee to wake me up, while quick check-in conversations with Claire, Jolie, and Julian gave me an extra boost!

After bussing for almost 2 hours, we finally made it to Chua Từ Hạnh orphanage. Walking towards the temple, we passed by people of all ages (and adorable dogs). To pay our respects, we left our shoes outside the temple and took a seat on the floor facing the donations that MEMO prepared: fans, fridges, and boxes filled with toys. After Dr. Bui explained how these would assist their daily living, the master of the temple invited us to join them to bless the donations. I learned that this part involved kneeling and passing around incense while the monks preached. To me, it represented gratitude, not only from the monks who accepted our donations but also from us for allowing our group to enter their home and catch a glimpse of their lifestyle.

At some point, it started pouring heavily. Before we could share the hotpot meals that the orphanage generously prepared for us, some monks or volunteers from the temple relocated our tables to avoid the flood that was rising. I was touched by how willing they were to make us comfortable, although I felt like they had done so much for us already.

Before we could interact with the kids, we got to packing goody bags. Except, these weren’t filled with our usual American party giveaways like crayons and stickers, but instead essentials like milk, crackers, and juice. I wondered if these children received sufficient nutrition for their development, how often were they able to get physical check-ups, and what happens when they get sick? The questions trailed in my head…

With our teamwork, we were able to finish packing in no time. Individually, we grabbed a toy in one hand and a bag in the other. As my shoes dried, I also felt my introversion evaporate while walking towards the playroom. Since every kid had received a toy by the time I got there, I just placed my extra gifts on a table where I gravitated towards a person with a disability. He was preciously enjoying his alone time, eating and watching something on his phone. My hands did the talking, greeting him with a wave and a smile. He signaled me to open a snack for him. As much as I wanted to engage with him further, I didn’t know what to say. I gave him a toy that could invert from sad to smiley, and I could only wish that was enough to let him know that he was special and deserves all the happiness in the world.

I later found myself talking to a 19-year-old girl who was entertained by stickers and selfie-taking. She seemed mature but still a child at heart so I couldn’t quite tell if I should play with her or just have a conversation. Playing 13 (or Tien Len in Vietnamese) was a good medium. We gathered other kids and MEMO volunteers (thanks to Alvina for being my translator), and the remainder of our time was spent teaching the card game. We had enough time to get through half the round before we had to say our goodbyes. Some just spectated, others played, but by the end, everyone seemed to naturally enjoy each other's presence.

Lastly, we visited the elders. There were about 5-8 in each big room, I noticed as I stood there wishing we were able to fill the space with our company, chatting and comforting them longer. The person I handed my package to was bedridden... I wondered about the story behind her residence there. For a second, it made me imagine my grandparents and how much I yearned to be next to them so that they never felt isolated…

As we walked out, I noticed how other MEMObers were sharing their personal experiences. Everyone was touched in distinct ways. We took a group picture to let these memories live longer before heading back to the hotel.

MEMO volunteers hard at work to pack essentials for the kids and elders in Chua Từ Hạnh.

Peace signs up! Hello to Sophie and I's new friend :)))

Visiting the elders before our farewell...