In March of 2013, thirty of us met at a hotel in downtown Saigon and headed out by bus to Ham Tan at five in the morning, hoping to avoid the rush hour traffic. Our group this year consisted of volunteers, four medical doctors and a pharmacist from Saigon, and two young doctors from Chicago. We were lucky this time to also have a grade school teacher from Vermont who spent the day doing art projects with the children. This was certainly a highlight for them. It was such a treat to see the joy on their faces as they drew the faces of their friends. As in past years, we brought medicine, vitamins, rice, instant noodles, candies, sugar, toiletries and the usual five-dollar gift for each patient. Immediately we went to work and saw almost 200 patients. We distributed the gifts and medicine. The look of gratitude on their faces filled everyone with joy and we realized how lucky we were to be able to come and share a brief moment with them.

After a speedy but delicious lunch, we visited the new facility, a five-minute walk from the old building. Construction was started in the beginning of 2013 and we hope to complete the project by the end of 2014. It will be a two-story building capable of  caring for 150 orphaned children. They will have a large outdoor courtyard to play safely and when it rains, they can continue their game under the roof of the patio. We also have a large auditorium, which will serve as a multipurpose room where the children can have their group activities. This space will also be transformed into a clinic where medical care can be provided for up to 500 handicapped patients. We will also have separate sleeping quarters for the children.

After an exhaustive but very rewarding day, we loaded onto the bus for the trip back to Saigon, a good five-hour drive. Our hearts were filled with joy to see that the young children have grown up since we last saw them and that they are healthy and happy. We have indeed provided a warm roof over their heads.