This appeal seeks support for one of the many Vietnamese families whose lives have been ruined by Agent Orange, the herbicide that was sprayed on Vietnam during the war. That, an elderly veteran seen in the photo, has passed dioxin poisoning on to two children, who are severely handicapped. Adding to his woes, That's home is vulnerable to storms caused by climate change. Help this brave family to stay afloat by buying them a breeding cow and in the process make a strong statement against war.
The tragedy of Agent Orange falls squarely on ageing caregivers like That, 70, seen in the photo with his wife Haong and their daughter Pham, 38. Neither Pham not her brother Linh can speak or feed themselves and both require constant attention. In addition, the family house sits on low-lying land, which leaves it exposed to severe flooding. With his savings exhausted, That is fearful of what lies ahead. Sadly, he is not alone. Three million Vietnamese have been poisoned by Agent Orange.
That will be the seventh Agent Orange caregiver supported by our organization (AP) through GlobalGiving. Our approach is to purchase livestock or poultry that can produce a sustainable income. Working through our Vietnamese partner, AEPD, we will buy a cow which That and his wife can manage with help from their healthy children and neighbors. The cow will produce calves, milk and fertilizer, enabling That and his wife to buy food and medicine, and shore up their house against future floods.
Our friends at the AEPD specialize in promoting the self-sufficiency of war victims, and a cow is definitely the best way to provide a sustainable income for the That family. We also hope to broaden understanding about Agent Orange and show the human side of the tragedy by profiling beneficiaries on our website. Finally, we will send a Peace Fellow (graduate student) to check in with That in 2018, helping to educate young Americans about a brutal war that continues to take a toll on civilians.