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Happiest of Holidays!!! Today's note is from Huong. This fine young lady, mother of twins has continued to excel and grow. She's been close to gibtk programs since a little girl. As always will forward and comments or notes of encouragement
"It has been nearly five years since I have worked and trained at GIBTK's. I have learned so much and I've become more open minded and outgoing over this time. I have worked with many great people, colleagues, and the kids are so amazing. I am both energized and optimistic because I love seeing the kids growing healthier every day and working side by side with the inspiring leadership of my team. I have gained experience during the years through love, and have also been humbled by experience and understanding.
I came back to worked after my maternity leave and I have been extremely lucky to become a home leader for Carmela's Home and the Lighthouse. It is in these homes where my life was transformed and provided me with such a bright future. Now having the ability to be their home leader, I am able to look at the kid's faces and their smiles every day, and it touches my heart and makes my love even bigger than it was before.
Thank you for letting me be a part of the GIBTKs team to grow with the children. The experiences I have gained with them has been a pleasure and my memories with them will be with me forever. Carmela's kids and the Lighthouse girls are now part of my heart and my life, because they are my childhood, my smile and my mission. I love the job, the program, and the kids that I have been working with. Day by day, my love expands and I understand the unconditional love that is so important that connects everyone.
I have often thought that life is not fair because nowadays there are so many disadvantaged children who have been either abandoned, homeless, or orphaned so they need our help. I have thought without the GIBTK organization, what would be their destiny? Maybe they would have been aided by another organization but I wonder if the kids would have safe homes, love and protection? Thank you Father Robert for coming into the world, coming to Viet Nam and becoming our big Father, our great teacher and our wonderful leader!
I have been working for GIBTK's for a long time so I understand what is different from the culture of GIBTK's and other organizations. We need to be aware of what shape of the pyramid we are using and working on. I strive to learn how to serve the kids and house mothers as much as possible and to find out what their legitimate needs are in order to support and build them up.
Growing up in a very poor family, I understand deeply what difficulties the children face and the challenges of my job and I really, really love my job! I believe that all the children have been living in the loving arms of the GIBTK's team where they have a safe house to live, study, play, share, and grow. Love is the first criterion to help and transform the GIBTK's kids. One more thing that sincerely impresses me is how we "never give up." There have been a lot of things I have personally seen and experienced during my employment at GIBTK, but we work together to provide options that hopefully will lead to solutions. I want to share one more thing with regard to my program. During the time I have worked with the kids, some of the boys have been disruptive, breaking the house rules and being disobedient. They have ignored our words and continued their bad actions. Initially it seems like we don't have a way to help them, but then we continually spend time giving them better options to choose and we redirect them and we are patient. We let them fail and we direct them again and again to get them to the goal. We use love to convert and redirect people. This method is what is so special about the Giving It Back To Kids Organization. Loving, serving with our team, and bringing hope and happiness to the kids.
I love the way my leaders lead. They help the staff complete tasks effectively and work on leading with influence (authority rather than power). I am grateful for your lessons and kind heart to build us up with leadership skills. Although we are just colleagues, we love each other like sisters and brothers at home. We are willing to help and support each other when anyone needs help. I also notice another difference is the relationship between leaders and members. We don't have any distance between us because of our title. We live and work by heartfelt-love and empathy. GIBTK's environment is a great place for us to be inspired, share, encourage and develop! GIBTK's makes me feel important, valued and proud! I love everyone! I love GIBTK's! I just hope after 20 years, I am still working here! How sweet that would be!"
Blessed,
Huong
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