After a good night sleep went to have breakky at Stella’s … nice Muesli and Yoghurt for a change. Then it was time to reflect on the weekend. Office day … write minutes of the meeting at My Tho; sent various e-mails. Still not sure when we can go to HOPE school have to wait n see.
For lunch we went to SOZO’s. It was not what we had hoped for … no friendly service and the staff were all over the place having lunch, occupying a table in the restaurant eating food bought somewhere else. Not good. No service with a smile.
At 3 pm we went to the Peace Orphanage. We spotted Hoan’s motorbike, but she was not in her room. Soon we realised why. A delegation from Vienacombank was visiting the Peace Orphanage. All locals, but it seemed to us they have never seen disabled children still affected by Agent Orange. They brought small gifts like bags of chips or sweet rolls. Right in the middle I spotted Hoan, she was not wearing her artificial legs, so she was hard to recognise. When she saw me she gave me a big hug. Soo good to see her, we had arranged to meet her tonight anyway … but she was happy to see me. She asked “where is Uli???” straight away. Had a quick chat the she was busy with a couple for Japan. Later on the kids and us included were all watching and listening to some flute playing and a story.
It was time to do some shopping on the way home … rain threatening so Uli waved a cab … back to our office.
After dinner we met with Hoan around the corner in a coffee shop. On the way from our hotel to the coffee shop we bump into Mark, a friend of Hoa. What a surprise. Had a quick chat … then off to meet with Hoan, who is already waiting.
Hoan shares a room with 6 disabled girls at the Peace Orphanage, she works from 8:30 to 4, then studies at uni from 5 to 8:45. On Saturday she teaches poor children in district 8 Vietnamese.
HOAN is truly one of the greatest people I have ever met.
Had a good chinwag until after 10pm … then it was raining a little. Hoan hopped on her bike and swish she disappeared in the crowd of motorbikes.
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