Danang - Beyond our expectations! (click on photo to enlarge)

When we left home, we had no idea we would end our trip to Vietnam in Danang. Le Tan Phuoc, CEO of Searefico M&E, a large refrigeration and building company, invited us to Danang where we participated in a leadership development seminar for the Danang division of the company. What a great way to end the trip. Phuoc and his Mai, his wife (pictured below), hosted our team in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang...providing a great experience and opportunity for us... I had the privilege to talk about trust and integrity in business as Hung and Dr. An translated for me. If someone had told me 5 years ago that I would be standing in front of a leadership team of a high profile Vietnamese company talking about trust and integrity, I would've thought they were crazy... As we have learned over and over on these trips, there is a bigger and better plan... What a blessing!

Hanoi and SS 3...a place near and dear to our hearts

SS3 Staff shows off new shirts compliments of Senior Rehab Solutions. Also pictured is the first installment of vitamins for both orphans and elderly purchased in Vietnam...Donations are funding vitamins for elderly and orphans for the next few months.

The gift that keeps on giving... 2 big pigs were also traded in for 6 little ones (in another pen). The 25 little pigs that were purchased in 2009 have continued to enhance the diets for five years.

It was so exciting to see this new building which houses elderly and orphans. Each room has its own bathroom complete with flushing toilet and shower. Tan from GVI told us that the government has recognized the improvements at SS3 as a result of teams like ours investing in training, donations, etc., and invested in this new building.

Hung and a friend in the renovated area for preschool...

Four nurses and Vice Director of SS3...Our team was really proud of the SS3 team and the vast strides they have made...

Note the slogan on the cup...

 

Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (Click on photo to enlarge)

This morning's meeting with A/Prof Le Thi Anh Thu, MD, PhD (between Joleann and Susan) and other key personnel at Cho Ray Hospital and the subsequent hospital tour was most impressive. This was the first health care facility in SE Asia that has offered us hand sanitizer on any of our trips. We look forward to a growing relationship with Dr. Thu and one of the finest hospitals in Vietnam.

Good Morning Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon

After a day traveling and midnight arrival Sunday night, it's "good morning" to Saigon. Getting ready to meet Joleann, Susan, Daiyu and Steve, then Pastors Hung and An, and the other Hung then head out after breakfast (pho for me) at 8:15 a.m. 13 hour time zone difference from Texas...this view is from my room...call me spoiled!

Seriously, Trip Number 9?

Thanks for your interest in SE Asia Healthcare Partners... as this is being written volunteers are embarking on our 9th trip to Vietnam. When Joleann (RN who oversees clinical services in approximately 50 US post acute facilities), Melody (PT and Certified Quality Improvement Specialist), Steve Johnson (oversees operations of approximately 100 senior living communities in the US) and I went on the first trip in 2008 we had no idea of the adventures and blessings that would come our way... And more importantly the friends, co-workers and encouragers who have joined us in one way or another... Changed lives... We'll update this throughout the trip...thank you for joining us on the journey... This trip it's Joleann, Susan, Steve, Daiyu, Hung, An, Hung and me... Blessings...

Sabaidee From Laos (Click on photos to enlarge)

Arrival lunch in Laos with Thailand on the other side of the Mekong River.

Visiting a district hospital...slated for a modern replacement...you'll agree none too soon.

Delivery Room

Checking out the patient room.

Lunch outside the comfort zone...but tasty.

Amy presents a gift to Assistant Director of orphanage with capacity for 400 orphans.

With some of the orphan girls.

A room shared by 14 girls...cracks in the floors with pigs under the structure.

Kitchen...

More of our Laos adventure later...Saturday morning we left our hotel at 6 a.m. and returned at almost 11 p.m.

Last Day in Vietnam...For a Little While (Click on photo to enlarge)

Elderly residents had a big time in an outdoor balloon activity. One man who "never" comes out of his room, did to check out all the fun. Susan is passing out treats to the participants...People all over the world love chocolate.

Amy and Thau writing as leadership team develops strategic plan.

The description of "feast" for this luncheon hosted for us at SS 3 was barely adequate.  We were honored by their hospitality.

Certificates were presented to all the attendees of both nursing and leadership training. The hug Joleann is receiving tells the story of bonding that transcended cultural and language barriers.

We ended the day with a wonderful meal at Tan's new place...His wife put out a great meal. We were honored to be the first team hosted by them in their new apartment. Tan is a great friend, personally as well as professionally.

Indelibly imprinted on all of our hearts is the story of Be, one of the older orphans at SS 3. She was taken at a young age by a "very bad man" who made her beg. In order to be a more pitiful looking and effective beggar, he put cigarrettes out on her face to scar her and blinded her in her right eye. The government stops supporting her in one more year when she turns 18...she has not been allowed to go to school. She wanted to have pictures taken with us...we are smiling through tears...