Cám ơn!

I am often awestruck by the generosity of others. When I express this amazement that people will so freely give money to help others, some will tell me how my children and I have been generous, as well. But I feel like volunteering my time and effort is so easy, so simple. I've never had enough money to donate much (though I've done what I could, when I could). I feel frustrated by my lack of helping financially, so I asked for help and you, my dear readers, have answered.

I set a goal of reaching $500 in donations before heading back down to Tam Ky and I'm quite happy to say that we are almost there. I'm incredibly grateful for all the gifts--the $5 contribution and the $200. Now that we are close to the goal, we've decided to come up with a shopping list. Audrey's started one, including hole-free blankets, diaper cream, jackets with zippers that work, new kitchen toys, etc. It's been fun thinking about all the things we can give them... thanks to your generosity. We'll also be giving cash to the volunteer coordinator to buy fruit for the orphans, every day for a month.

Our travel plans are to head to Ha Noi this weekend and celebrate my birthday by shopping for the orphans, then bringing the loot back to Thanh Hoa. We will head down to Tam Ky the next weekend. I'll have to take one day off; it's a 15-hour train ride each way so we can't possibly go down on Saturday and come back on Sunday.

I cannot wait to see the orphans again. I miss those kids so much, their laughs, singing and silly antics. The countdown is on and I'm so incredibly grateful for all your help. If you want to donate cash to the orphanage fund or donate items to the orphanage itself, please feel free to contact me [donateATteresaandkidsDOTcom]. You can also donate to Children of Vietnam, a US-based non-profit that helps kids twice a year in the central Viet Nam area, including the Tam Ky orphans.