Dear supporters of Change the One,

We were asked to support the people of Tam Lanh, Phu Ninh District & the surrounding mountains by providing, dairy cows, a fresh water bore, pushbikes & small home renovations.

As a fact finding mission I (Peter) travelled to Hoi An in August. A tour of the area, to meet those in need had been arranged by Tram Nguyen (our volunteer in Hoi Chi Minh) and for me to meet with the local government official, Mr Tai.

We set off early morning, our driver, guide Nung, Phil (my next door neighbour) & myself. This time in the luxury of an air-conditioned car, travelling 3 hours to the village of Tam Lanh. Arriving at the school in Tam Lanh we were greeted by not only Mr Tai but his superior Mr Truyen the Vice President of the district. What an honour for us.

We were escorted & guided around the country side to meet the recipients of the dairy cows & home renovations. Thanks to the generosity of Kevin Milstein & the “Reagan Milstein Foundation” we were able to gift to the families, sports gear, school bags & some lollies I purchased in Hoi An. A special gift to the new born babies, were hand knitted woollen jumpers by a 93 year old friend of my mum.

Returning to these areas of such hardship is always a challenge for me. On the way your head reminds you of the hardship & poverty but it is not until you arrive again at their homes that your heart kicks in again. Visiting the first family, their home, kitchen & bedroom were but a dirt floor & timber palings (photo 3a) the feeling of hopelessness at not being able to fix all the problems overcame me. Sitting in the car between Phil & Mr Truyen, as we departed the first home, I could not hold back tears. Tears of frustration that I could not do more & tears of gratitude & love for my children & the opportunities we have in Australia. Again my focus had to remain on “Change the One”. Changing lives with one act of kindness at a time.

We visited a total of 8 families who will receive a dairy cow. This cow is life changing, not only providing milk but the sale of a calf. This sale amounts to income of more than 12 months of their usual hard farming labour.

• Thi Be Nguyen, A mum with 2 children & no husband working full time in the bush felling trees. Photo 3a / 4a
• Thi Diem Nguyen, A mum & dad with 2 children & both working full time in the bush felling trees. Photo 5/6/10
• Thi Lan Tran, A mum with 3 children, a 3 month old grandchild & no husband working full time in the bush felling trees. Photo 7/9
• Van Thiet Nguyen, A mum with 4 children, a 2 month old grandchild & no husband working full time in the bush felling trees. Please look at the nappy on the tiny baby…. It is a CHUX. Photo 15
• Van Tan Nguyen, A mum & dad with 2 children & working full time in the bush felling trees. One daughter working in the bush carrying her 4 month old in a sling. Photo 4/11/13/14
• Vo Den, A dad with an arm so badly deformed from Agent Orange but still working full time with 3 children. Photo 18
• An Nguyen, A dad who had a stroke, back working with 3 children, the 3 year old with a bad heart. Photo 20/21
• Thi Ly Bui, A grandmother with 1 child of 4 years & no husband working full time in the bush felling trees. Photo 17/25

The home renovations consist of providing a toilet & running water for two beautiful ladies. Thi Xuan Le & Thi Thanh Pham, 75 & 83 years young. Thanh still running her milk bar on the side of the road. 

The fresh water bore is for the school with no water at present and over 200 children.

30 bicycles for the children who walk 10 klm morning & night to school.

The funds for this mission will be raised at the concert in Inverloch on the 6^th October. Tickets are available on 0477 803 479. A poster with full details is attached.

Thank you for your continued support.

“TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WHEN WE, CHANGE THE ONE”.