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ADOPT-A-VILLAGE
PROGRAMS:
VIET NAM | BURMA/MYANMAR | CAMBODIA | THAILAND
VOLUNTOURISM
VolunTourism has been very much a part of GCSF since
its inception. This is because it was the tourists to
Southeast Asia who were instrumental in recognizing the
needs of the people they visited.
VolunTourism can be a life-changing experience. As Saint
James School student Nicolas Mohar-Schurz put it,
"If the children were half as affected by us as we
were of them, the grim future of this earth will emerge
as
a changed and unified globe."
ST. JAMES SCHOOL
Another group of Saint James School students from Hagerstown,
Maryland visited Viet Nam for a Voluntourism program in
March, 2006. Once again, the students selected the Da
Nang Street Children's Program for their community service
day. Saint James School and the friends of GCSF had raised
the funds to build two additional classrooms for Houses
#1 and #5. The students painted the interiors of the classrooms,
played with the children, and then culminated the day
with a gala dinner for over 90 at a local restaurant.
The students also worked with children at an orphanage
in Siem Reap town (Angkor Wat), Cambodia.
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project not only introduced St. James' students
to "hands-on" community service but also provides
the Da Nang Street Kids with an improved quality
of life and a sense of hope. GCSF is grateful for
St. James' continued support for GCSF's Adopt-A-Village
program for the Da Nang Street Kids. We hope that
others will lend their time, talent and treasure
to support this and other Adopt-A-Village
projects in Viet Nam, as well as in Burma, Cambodia,
Thailand and Laos.
St. James School student
Katie Richwine enjoys a gala restaurant
outing with children from the Da Nang Street Children's
home.
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Saint
James School students Nathan Hesse and Nicolas
Mohar-Schurz
paint the classrooms.
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Friends
helping friends: Taylor Young gives a lift to
a resident of the Da Nang Street Children's House
#1.
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The
dedication ceremony program, in Vietnamese and
in English
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The
new classrooms, awaiting the interior painting |
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HOMEBUILDING
Cadets and midshipmen from the Tri-Academies -- US Military
Academy, US Air Force Academy, and the US Naval Academy,
along with students in college ROTC programs-- have participated
in volunteer programs with GCSF for many years. Students
and faculty members take an immersion tour of Viet Nam
and participate in service programs such as building houses
in Da Nang and Quean Tri, and building a sampans for a
families in the Mekong Delta.
A West Point cadet takes
time out to relax with the local children
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West Point cadets put the
finishing touches on a house for a garbage dump
family |
SUNSHINE SCHOOL
The Sunshine School for teaching English as a second
language (ESL), is operated by Mrs. Huyen, an experienced
and personable language teacher. The school is located
in Hanoi, but removed from the bustle of the city center,
so a volunteer can enjoy the real experience of living
in a Vietnamese neighborhood while teaching English in
the school. GCSF supports sponsorships for disadvantaged
children to attend the classes.
Mrs. Huyen displays some
of the school's teaching aids.
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A native speaker
is a great asset to the English
language program. |
HOW
CAN BECOME A VOLUNTOURIST
The
are many and varied volunteer opportunities to help
the people of Viet Nam, Cambodia, Myanmar or Thailand
-- Homebuilding, teaching, helping out at an orphanage,
school or clinic. You can join a group or get together
with your family and friends and participate in a
unique cultural experience. You can incorporate a
tailored 1 - 5 day service project in a customized
or pre-set travel program. Contact Global
Spectrum, GCSF's affiliate,
for more information. |
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