Neil Hannan's 2025 Vietnam Humanitarian Journey

After the tablet distribution, Nhung and I moved just a short distance to Nhi Ha Kindergarten.  There we were greeted warmly by the principal, who escorted us down a narrow path to the school. At this kindergarten we provided 2 large-screen TVs and 2 computers to serve as classroom aids. There was quite a gathering of faculty and kids! I was surrounded by kids wanting to hold my hand!         The screens are already in place and look great! The colors and clarity are impressive.    It was nap time for the little ones!    A final classroom visit. Aren't they cute!   After checking out the classrooms, we were treated to an excellent lunch. I don’t know the name of all the dishes, but they were tasty! (Nhung is in the tan coat!) A huge thank you to Nhung of D.O.V.E. Fund for her generosity in coordinating everything. She’s amazing!  

On arrival in the village of Nhi Ha, Nhung and I proceeded to the school, where the principal was waiting. Since a constant light rain was falling, the decision was made to distribute the writing tablets in the individual classrooms. With midday dismissal for break looming, there was just time for me to distribute in four classrooms. The remainder would be handled by the teachers in their respective classrooms later that day. In total, 368 students received 1,840 tablets!   I love the one on one with the kids! They're happy, respectful and appreciative. I'm getting to be quite well known in Nhi Ha, having been returning regularly since 2010.               

 Yesterday I moved from Hue to Dong Ha, which is located very near to the DMZ and was a Marine Combat Base during the war. At 9:30 AM today Nhung of  D.O.V.E. Fund picked me up at the hotel and off we went to the village of Nhi Ha. My memories of the brutal fighting and heavy casualties there in May '68 are vivid, as I've detailed many times. Today, with a light rain constantly falling, our humanitarian effort took us to Nhi Ha Elementary, Nhi Ha Kindergarten, Nhi Ha Cemetery, and the May 6, 1968 Battle Memorial. The cemetery yielded quite a surprise. As I process and decompress, stay tuned for three upcoming posts:  Nhi Ha Elementary writing tablets: Nhi Ha Kindergarten Large-Screen TVs & Computers  Nhi Ha Cemetery and May 6 Battle Memorial   I have to move back to Hue tomorrow morning, then hit the ground running. I'll get it all done! Goats are on the horizon!!🐐  Neil

 It was an early morning, as Khanh picked me up at 6 AM to head south to Quang Nam province. His wife, Dr. Trang, and her father, Ha, made up our group. We veered off of Highway 1 to drop Trang off at Ni Hgnia Hospital, where she was giving a lecture. Then Khanh, Ha, and I continued on course to Thua's house, which was a couple more hours of driving. Living quite remote, his place is tough to find. Thua, as you may recall, fought with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade during the war. We surprised him with our visit, as we didn't have a means of giving advance notice. Other than failing vision, Thua is in exceptional shape for his age. As is customary, I provided vitamins and ibuprofen for my comrade and his wife.   Vitamins & Ibuprofen     Plus Some Treats, Of Course!     With Khanh interpreting, Thua was asked if he has any medical issues, other than vision, or specific needs. He responded that he's OK. I noted that chickens replaced the pigs in his liv...

From Quang Phu we quickly moved the chicken delivery operation to the village of Huong Van, where 15 recipients were waiting. Chickens and supplies were rapidly unloaded.  Like at Quang Phu, the basics of using the additives was explained to the group. Then it was time to make the distribution.  750 more chickens were about to find new homes!     And off they go!!!!!!     The people are so respectful, appreciative, and hard-working. Your donations are working wonders, folks. Helping and healing!!! Thank you!!!!!!!

 Bright and early on March 29 Khanh, others from Hearts for Hue, and I headed over to the village of Quang Phu, where officials and recipients were awaiting chicken distribution. After a couple brief talks, it was time to get started.                                                                   Vietnam Women's Union Official                                                          ...