Vietnam Rural Schools Project
Last November Zai and I made the journey back to the country we once called home …Vietnam! We were super excited as this was going to be our biggest project yet. This time round we wanted to step it up, we wanted to not just bring the necessities (tooth brush ,pencils , books etc )we wanted to add some kid fun , munster style with new playground equipment and ball games we'd heard the school had no water ..No water means no toilets ,so we added that to our list .Build toilets and bring the WATER ..
The project was to help the already existing schools in the local rural area to encourage kids to come and to stay in school. They generally leave school around age 12 to work on the family farm so they needed a big incentive to stay on school. We wanted to create a space where they could be inspired to learn and be inspired by life and most importantly where they could have fun .. Munsterkid type of fun!
So off we set for a Buon Ma Thout in the central highlands.A short 40 minute flight from HCMC. After the flight was delayed 3 times we finally boarded. All was smooth sailing until we landed .We hit the tarmac with a CRASH, metal scratching loudly on the tarmac. People screaming throughout the plane .
next we heard the words.. "EVACUATE EVACUATE EVACUATE”..
The emergency doors opened and the slides inflated all in a matter of seconds.Thank god I watched the safety demo! With Zai close by my side we jumped, YEP... WE SLID DOWN THAT SLIDE! What a ride .. Slipping onto the tarmac in the dark of the night.
The brand new plane had lost its front wheel .
There was kaos all around us ..Luckily no one was injured .We were all just in a state shock as the sirens of the fire trucks and ambulances raced past us ..
Our driver told us there were sparks flying as we hit the tarmac , we were so so lucky ..
After not much sleep we were picked up bright and early ready to visit the BUON MA THUOT project sites.
The schools currently had no water , no toilets , no play equipment , no books and some VERY old tables and chairs. It was really just a slab of concrete and four walls. Not very enticing for kids. We worked with 3 schools , around 700 kids aged 6-16yrs we had gifted new playgrounds, over 1000 books to fill their libraries, new chairs and desks and new soccer balls and frisbi’s. We also gave each child a bag of necessities with tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, hair brush, note books and pens plus new push bikes for those who had to travel far to get to school.
We completed our mission and built the toilets and brought water into the school for the first time ever ! To give the gift of water was the greatest joy and the most rewarding experience of my life.
To see the looks on the kids faces as we turned on the water for the very first time , brought tears to our eyes, It was a moment Zai and I will never forget. Our cheeks were hurting from smiling so much ..
We came home feeling so very grateful and our hearts were full.
In true munster style it was a one crazy adventure from start to finish. Probably the most intense and emotional 24hrs of my life ...
Life is beautiful .....
Thankyou for all your continued support of Munsterkids, your support helps us to fund these projects that are so dear to our heart.
Until next time,
Munsterkids
C H E C K O U T T H E V I D E O
Munster Kids Vietnam from munsterkids on Vimeo.
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