Vietnam donation - by Carrie Hesketh

I recently had the priveledge of taking eight 15 year old students from Smithon High School to visit some of the centres that I have been working with in Vietnam since 2005. We spent two weeks helping out in centres and visiting poor villages and were able to sponsor projects as well as provide clothing donated by Baby Teresa - which were a great hit!



Our first stop was the Tam Ky Baby Orphanage. Tam Ky is around 70kms south of DaNang and the Baby Orphanage is home to approximately 40 children up to the age of 8 years as well as a constant flow of new born babies - there have been anywhere up to 30 babies at one time. Some of these babies are adopted out, some are looked after until their parents are back on their feet financially and some grow up in the orphanage. The gorgeous Baby Teresa suits were an absolute hit - the staff were giggling saying the children "didn't look like orphans anymore!" The babies as well as the older children loved the bright colours. These children never, ever have brand new outfits so it was a complete novelty. The staff were very gratefull and ket asking for more... but we had to spread the Baby Teresa love further!



We also visted villages where there were many families living in squat conditions - under corregated iron or fallen down homes. When we gave their babies these bright coloured outfits they were very, very grateful - it's amazing what smiles a new outfit will bring!



Our last delivery point for the suits was the Hoi An Orphanage - home to 70 children from babies to 18 years old. Again the suits were greeted with smiles and hugs and the staff (who earn approx $2 per day on 24 hour shifts) begged us for more so that they could give them to their own babies they thought they were so beautiful!



So, it is fair to say the Baby Teresa suits were a very big hit... amazing what some new, colourful, ultra spunky suits can do for people that have nothing.

Thank you so much Baby Teresa - keep up the amazing work.