Before I go to another amazing story from one of our team, allow me to remind everyone reading our annual fundraiser is Nov. 3. You can either donate or register safely online at https://www.givingitbacktokids.org/hope to see you there!
Funny although I am so often in Vietnam, it always surprises me and humbles me to read about our individual gibtk team members lives. Clearly God has, dare I say it this way? Gone out of His way to make gibtk something special. Why else could He allow me to work on the same team as so many special talented, gifted and called individuals?
Ngoc's journal;
Time is flying away and has buried the past full of sorrows and taken me to the present which I've always dreamed of having. I did not dare to imagine my life to be like this. I hid into a corner and thought my whole life would be as dark as it was. Today, however, when words were flowing out of my mind and writing this letter, I came to the realization that I am different from the old me. I'm now a life skills teacher at a community class for less-fortunate children in Danang. It's been over three months on this journey for 'giving it back to kids,' tutoring and sharing essential skills with elementary, secondary and high school students. I really love my job.
I was born to be a poor orphan, who was saved and brought up with the help from Big Mother, siblings, my teachers and friends. And my childhood was filled with seeking for basic nourishment and education, by doing heavily exhausting jobs. And, I have been given the love and support from the Giving It Back To Kids organization during my years at university; growing up and becoming as independent as I am now. I fully comprehend the hunger, the thirst, the difficulties and the misfortunes the kids are suffering, and I know better than anyone else that they can't contain their insatiable desire of going to school and giving a helping hand to others.
Each kid joining our community class carries with them their own stories with distinctive destinies. Without any support, many of them may end up being illiterate or suffering from some other hardship at so young an age.The real result of their learning cannot be known; however, I can say for certain one thing, that this place is what they need. It's where they can study, play, love, share and foremost, sympathize with peers. I see sparkling in their eyes when they come to classes, holding assignment papers and saying, "Miss Ngoc, I don't know how to do this assignment. Could you please help me out?". I hear their hearty laughs after every class. I see them come here earlier and stay later than the schedules. And I know we must keep it going.
It has been three months since I started working on teaching life skills, which isn't very long, but still enough for me to recognize what they need. Born into difficult circumstances, their learning awareness has been fortified. They are really hard-working, they pay attention to the lessons and confidently ask questions about what they don't understand. They also share and help others when in need. Apart from main subjects, they are provided with knowledge about emotional health, life skills, reproductive health, as well as attend outdoor activities, drawing and ring the golden bell competitions.
In life skills classes, kids can freely show off their talents by taking the roles of entertainers, actors, debater, teacher, etc., through the class activities.Their talents have been discovered and improved significantly. They seem to have fun in the classrooms, but deep in their eyes the sadness is still there with sorrows about family circumstances, self-pity and losses.
Once, there was a kid who told me:
"What if one day my mom's gone from this world, would you accept me here?"
I cannot help but burst out into tears:
"Don't worry, my dear, you are always welcome here. This place is always a safe home for you."
If I had not spent time getting to know them, I would not have been able to find out their difficult situations. They have been pulled from a dark alley that without us, their lives would be lost in their misery forever. Having had a heartbreaking past left behind, I still feel very grateful.
I am so lucky that I've had a lot of help and even worked at GIBTK in which I can contribute my energy and talent towards the community. Also, I myself, can hold little hands of those who yearn to be held. That is a place where dedicated people with hearts full of passion toward the community benefits.
I love my students, my job and GIBTK is the wind beneath my wings. Thankful for being able to have this meaningful job.
Sincerely with love;
Ngoc
As always if led email a word of encouragement and I will forward to Ngoc!
><((((º> BBlessed
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