Have you ever found yourself wondering "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" This was my first thought after talking to Tam our country director. She told me " I did not sleep last night because the winds and rain were so strong. A typhoon is approaching South of Danang. Robert maybe you will see floods this trip." These were not words I was waiting to here!
The typhoon was a minor one but I heard today there is a Super Typhon headed towards the Hong Kong and then Philippines. (Vietnam often gets hits by same ones) . I am constantly amazed how much water can fall out of the sky in such a short period of time.
Needless to say that is not my concern if I get a pair muddy of sneakers, so what! My concern is what GIBTK is called to be and do in SE Asia. My attitude was not at its best. I was here because "I had to be." Free Wheelchair Mission representative Vanessa Mendoza is coming to see the status of donated medical equipment valued over $300,000 . Donated to us to give to the Danang Orthopedic Hospital. (Guess I "should" come huh? Silly me....)
Vanessa Arrived not weary from her trip, beautiful as ever (how does she do that. Me I am worn and torn). Ready for the next few days which I am sure will be great. It was not long before one more time my attitude was adjusted. Hahn, whom many of you know as "clickty heals" stopped by to say hello and one more time express her gratitude.
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| Hahn (aka "clickity heals") sharing her joy |
I named her clickty after over a year of surgery I first heard her heals clicking as she pushed through a crowd of patients at the orthopedic hospital. What may you ask is so special about heals clicking? It was the first pair of shoes this young lady was able to put on. She has come to see me many many times over the 8 years since just to express her thanks....
Today she shared about her new job. She is able to earn $200 per month. She works along side college grads and she said with a slight laugh of joy "I did not even finish high school" She is now married with 2 children, both were born with club feet. GIBTK funded the surgeries and both kids run like any other kids!!! YEAH GOD!!! She smiled, wiping tears of joy from her checks
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| Hahn prior to surgeries |
Hahn told me that next month she hopes to buy a used bike so she does not have to walk to work (A 30 min walk) Anyone out there want to surprise her with a new bike? (about $80???)
Vanessa joined us and we left for the countryside to deliver a custom made wheelchair from Convaid. FWM is hoping to learn from them as well as hopefully develop a relationship and hopefully get more of these special chair for unique cases.
This young man had an undiagnosed illness come upon him around 7th grade by 11th grade he dropped out of school because of his disability. His mother shared that they were very poor (And still are) his sister was going to a university and she had to decide which one she could help......
Tam got all excited as she talked to him and told me there is a new program beginning at Dong A university for the handicapped training them to use computers and then finding jobs for them. She asked him and he smiled big and said I love computers and love the opportunity to do something like this if it was possible.
Bothered by this "undiagnosed" disability I asked if he has been to the orthopedic hospital. He said around 8 years ago and they were unable to help. I had to wonder was that because there wasn't funding or if in fact they did not know, then... But with todays advancement in their ability maybe there was a way to give him even more mobility then this new wheelchair!!!
He will be at the orthopedic hospital this week and by next week we will do what we can to help him qualify for the training program!!!
So okay maybe I know what I am doing here. Yes there are thunderclouds building outside my windows. Rain is imminent. But what a small cost for the opportunity to be part of transforming lives!!!
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| Sitting in his new wheelchair next to the chair that was used to move him before. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! |
Our Annual Gala "journey of hope is right around corner. Oct 19th at the historic Pavilion. The event will take place at Harborside restaurant. You can sign up online at www.gibtk.org. This is our major fundraiser if your unable to attend but still can help you can online. Put Gala in the comments box.
If you need a GREAT location for your event give Vicki a call at Harborside! Vicki and Chef extraordinaire Freddy will do a wonderful job. They have always gone out of their way and the location couldn't be more beautiful.
One more thing my wife and her Gala team are looking for items for the live and silent auctions. Little or big we will take them. Do you have that gift you got but its still in the box? Donate it!!! Dorothea can be contacted at dkalatschan@yahoo.com
><((((º> BBlessed
Robert Kalatschan
www.gibtk.org
Giving It Back To Kids
