Help Feed the Orphans of Vinh Son, Kon Tum Vietnam

Having spent 19 years in Vietnam enjoying the people, places, food, weather and building a successful company, I have a strong desire to help those in need. In early 2023, I had my staff from my company based in Ho Chi Minh City provide me with a list of orphanages that I could review and then visit.

Vinh Son 1 and Vinh Son 2 Orphanages really resonated with me as they are located in Kon Tum in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and are quite remote from the larger cities. They therefore have a tremendous difficulty getting donations of food, clothing and other materials they so desperately need.

The Vinh Son 1 Orphanage currently has 150 children and young adults aged 0 – 25 years of age. The children in many cases were abandoned since birth, or when their parents could not afford to keep them, or left by the roadside ... many of course have never met their parents or other family members.

I have personally visited the orphanages several times, providing monetary support, food and baby formula. Other donations from my family have provided rice (enough for a month), tables and chairs for the toddlers, and pillows and sleeping mats for youngsters. I recently paid to have the electrical service fixed, which has allowed hot water to be used for showers and washing. Through other recent donations, we have also been able to perform many plumbing repairs including upgrades of pipes, toilets, sinks and showers.

The Vinh Son 1 Orphanage is extremely well managed by Sister Nun – Ms. Vut and several volunteers and paid staff. Ms. Phan Thi LAN, a local resident of Sa Thay has generously lent her support in assisting with communications, translations and administration support! As Vietnam is a predominantly Buddhist country, I was surprised to find that this was a Catholic taught centre. The orphans are well cared for with the older orphans taking care of the younger ones in many cases.

The orphanages raise their own chickens (donated) & pigs (donated) and vegetable gardens. This provides food for the group. The children are taught how to farm as most likely that will be their only vocation when they are older – skills learned today will help them later in life!

I have personally committed to care for these orphanages by donating my personal time & money and by raising money from family, friends, work colleagues worldwide and others who want to help – a small contribution will go a long way to help these lovely children.

When donations of greater than US$100 take place, you will receive a thank you note and photos of how your money has been used. There is no middleman, no admin fee on my part ... 100% of money received goes to the full benefit of the children. All donations are welcomed – any amount!

Here are some examples of what money will buy to support the orphanage:

• Rice (1 month supply) = US$365.00

• Chickens and Feed (100) = US$425.00 ... Current Needs are for 300 Baby Chickens

• Pigs and Feed (5) = US$604.00 ... Current Needs are for 40 Pigs

• Pillows (1) = US$3.03

• Sleeping Mats (1) = US$3.64

• Baby Infant Formula / Milk Powder = US$35.00 per Can ... 2 Cans required every 2 days

• Dining Tables (10) / Chairs (30) = US$606.00

Thank you for your donations - even a little bit goes a long way in Vietnam and is so much appreciated!

Respectfully Yours,

Bill Gadd

Below are some photos of the Children and Donations being put to work: