Reunification Day

In Viet Nam today, people are enjoying a day off for Reunification Day, celebrating the fall of Sai Gon. Looking at the details of this day in history is difficult. So many people were left that wanted to go. Children were taken and parents were left. Tears and fear were everywhere, both with the American soldiers and the Vietnamese. Nowadays, the day is celebrated, like America's Independence Day, to mark the bringing together of the country. Just as Ho Chi Minh had long fought for.

It seems ironic as I think about the ensuing "Operation Babylift" and the current state of adoptions to America from Viet Nam. Lines have been drawn and American adoptions will be ending this fall if there isn't some miraculous agreement between the nations.

I can't help but wonder what will happen to the dear children in Tam Ky. So many of them were adopted to the States and that will end. The sponsoring of the baby orphanage will likely end as well (since the flow of funds/adoptions fees will stop). What will be the consequences? I worry that the volunteers of Tam Ky will fade as well, though perhaps it will require more help and elicit more volunteers. The kids will need them and the extra fruit and yogurt that they bring each day.

I want so badly to head back there, bringing along money, clothes, toys... It was so much easier to do so when we lived in-country, but now the transportation costs are a bit prohibitive, though I'm doing what I can to figure out how to do so. Part of it will be the rice bags that Mr. Tung's sister made. They'll be online soon and will help to pay for a gift-laden visit, ensuring that everything arrives to the children in need.

Today, I can't help but wonder about all the kids there and the frustration of so many and the celebration of others.

Inflation biting both sides

There's an interesting article in the NYTimes today about how the inflation in Asia (caused by the recession, coming recession-whatever you want to call it) is biting the U.S. due to our dependence on products made there. It highlights what's happening in Vietnam (!), as well as China.

Read the story here.