By Tam Nguyen | Program Manager
Dear GCSF Friends,
Global Community Service Foundation sends our best greetings. With the arrival of fresh breezes and warmer temperatures, our little friends in Khe Sanh are enjoying Springtime.
GCSF has updates to share on the progress of our library program in Khe Sanh Town and its vicinity. Over 800 children - 30% belonging to indigenous ethnicities – now have access to books, magazines, and 5 modern computers.
The students were visited by GCSF American volunteers, Kimmy and Robert, this past week. Kimmy and Robert were impressed by the energy and enthusiasm shown by all the Khe Sanh School students. After meeting students in the school library, Kimmy* couldn’t stop smiling. “The teacher commented that the students were shyer in the past. After the library was built and the school saw more visits from foreigners, the students have become more confident in themselves. Many students read aloud from their English books to us. I see how books make a world of difference in this area isolated by the mountains.”
GCSF’s 2017 mission is to extend its effort in providing books to 403 indengeous children in the nearby Huong Phung School. The mid-level public school needs a library for its boarding students. With the majority of its students coming from the poor communities of the Van Kieu and Pako tribes, the school is having difficulty in securing financial support for a library. Mr. Cong, the Principal*, is happy knowing that GCSF has helped support the Khe Sanh school library, and hopes that the organization can do the same for Huong Phung: “We are at a disadvantage living far from the city. My students do not have access to a public library like their friends in downtown Khe Sanh. We are hoping GCSF can help provide us with a school library.”
“The majority of Khe Sanh school students come from the Van Kieu and Pako tribes. Their quality of living standards are lower especially because they live in such remote areas. I now have a better appreciation for the value of books. They not only provide knowledge but serve as entertainment during the students’ free time.” - Kimmy*
Kimmy is spending six months in Central Vietnam helping GCSF with its community development projects. Working with the indigenous students is among her favorite activities. Along with her support, your kind contribution is instrumental to GCSF’s Huong Phung School Library project.
With your support, we can make this happen for the 2017-2018 School Year.
Yours sincerely,
Tam Nguyen
* No last names are used in this report
** These photographs were provided pro bono by professional photographer Robert Paetz.
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