"CAM ON" letter from Tam

Hi EVERYONE,

the other day we received the "CAM ON" or "Thank you" letter from Thanh Tam, a student at the Song Lo School, Bhinh Than district in Saigon. Here is the translation we received via the Saigon Times Foundation:

Ho Chi Minh City, April 7th 2011
Dear Mr. Matt and Mrs. Uli,
After receiving your help, I had a chance to meet with you last year. Now, through my school, I write this letter to express my appreciation for what you have done for me.
How are you doing? I always hope that you are in good conditions and have many happiness in life. I am living with my mother and sisters, all of us are doing fine. Currently I am in class 5/4 of Song Lo elementary school. Being able to go to school with my friends brings me so much joy and happiness.
Last year, after finishing grade 4th, I was really worried because I was not sure whether or not I could continue with my study, since my mother did not have enough capability of paying my tuition fee at that time. Then, at the beginning of that school year, my principle informed me that Mr. Matt and Mrs. Uli wanted to pay my tuition fee so that I could continue to go to school. Right at that time, I was so happy that I could not even speak. Deep inside my heart, I just wanted to say thank you for giving me a chance of going to school like my friends. Now I have nearly finished elementary school, all thanks to the help that you gave me. Your kind sentiment have always encouraged me in my studying and given me faith in good things in life.
I cannot express all my gratitude to you. I will always try my best in my studying as well as be a good person so that you will not have to regret helping me. I am about to finish my last year in elementary school and move up to secondary school. I still do not know how things will be in the future, but I hope to be able to get on with my study. I do not dare to ask for your help more because you have already given me so many. I will remember your kind sentiment forever.
Once again, I wish that you are always healthy and have many lucks as well as happiness in life.

Sincerely yours,

Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam


Thanh Tam is the younger girl on the left.

Here is the original letter in Tam's hand writing.

Hope School Testimony

Hope ... we all have HOPE. The kids at the Hope school have a lot of HOPE, they are hearing impaired and need as much support as possible!!!

Julina and Richard Martin appoached us last year and were interested in sponsoring a child at the Hope School for Heraring Impaired Children in Binh Thanh district in Saigon. We only had two girls left, and would you believe it, they sponsored both!!! Please find the testimony by Juliana and Richard below.

Testimony by Juliana and Richard Martin

Richard and I met Matt and Uli through mutual friends and we listened to the story that they told about their times in Vietnam, the people they met and the dedicated work they carried out with unfortunate children.
These children needed sponsors to assist them to live an educated and as full a life as possible.

Matt and Uli were seeking sponsors for these children and so we became sponsors to 2 delightful girls, Nhu and Hue who are attending the Hope School for Hearing Impaired Children in Binh Thanh district Saigon, Vietnam. Other children are being sponsored in their education at the Hearing Impaired School, organized by Matt and Uli. It is truly an amazing work they are carrying out from their home on the Sunshine Coast and every dollar sponsored goes directly to students ... an incredibly generous and selfless couple filled with compassion and dedication to really assist these less fortunate children, who are in real need of help.

Photo of Nhu, August 2010

It was by chance that on a trip to Vietnam last November that Matt and Uli arranged for us to visit the Hope School and be met and welcomed by the Vice Principal, Diep Nguyen.
In our time there, we were taken and shown the school and introduced to the students. It was the most beautiful experience being introduced to these happy, smiling students as their very proud teachers stood by ... all these children are deaf and the quality of their school work was quite incredible as too the songs they sang.
We met Nhu and Hue; delightful girls surrounded by their friends all supporting each other.


Photo of Hue, August 2010

Some of the students can travel long distances each day to attend school and the education, friendship and camaraderie that we witnessed is enabling these children to look forward to the future.

Our visit to the Hope School and seeing what these remarkable students are achieving was an experience we will never forget. The fantastic work and dedication of Matt and Uli is both wonderful and humbling and we would encourage as much support as possible.

Juliana and Richard Martin