Many years of service

       Beginning in 1994, after relations were normalized between the United States and Vietnam, volunteers were welcomed everywhere—in both urban and rural areas. Any skill was welcomed—especially those that helped families enjoy a higher standard of living. As we worked, we learned more about the needs of the people in the out-lying areas, and because we were welcomed by the local governments, we gradually shifted our focus to the small towns in the countryside and poorer villages in the mountains where we could do the most good.

       We meet friendly people everywhere in Vietnam

       Since 2002 we have been engaged in business consulting in the natural resource sector that create jobs in the rural countryside. These efforts continue today: Farm families with one member working seasonally in a natural resource job can double or triple their normal income.

       Ten years ago we our founder decided to add medical work to our service portfolio, and he went back to school and became an ultrasound technician. He also helps villages to improve health and sanitation infrastructure. We visit rural and remote areas, and conduct clinics under the direction of local doctors, and donate small portable ultrasound machines to the district hospitals. It is our goal to leave behind a portable ultrasound machine in every rural clinic that needs one. This humanitarian work has been well-received, and we plan to continue as long as we can (after covid ceases to disrupt our work!).

       We also donate medicines to needy clinics utilizing local purchase. This method solves a variety of logistical challenges. The professional medical staffs do the actual purchases, and place the items in the excellent, utilitarian, medical-use buildings that various regional and local governments have built for the people. The government provides trained doctors, nurses, and support staffs to help the local populations. However they do need and welcome help from the international community—particularly requesting ultrasound and other equipment. These help the local staff expand their existing services.

       We provided direct support to defray the majority costs of constructing an outdoor latrine on a poor farm. In one district in Nghe An Province where we were welcomed by the local leadership, only 24% of the farms have such sanitation facilities, and many existing systems are either outdated or no longer serviceable. This situation yields predictable results: The farm's drinking water, vegetable gardens, and fish ponds are contaminated. The children play in the creeks and streams which are polluted by seepage and run-off, and families universally have water-borne parasites. We hope to replicate this work in the future.

      Providing new latrines with accompanying vertical drain fields (see photo and illustration) solves their sanitation problems, and they are sustainable for years! 

       We also provide s scholarship to defray part of the costs of sending s young minority village women for basic healthcare training. Village leaders selected one of their own to receive training, and while they (and the prospective student's family) provided as much support as they could, it was not enough (about 20%). After a year of training this newly-minted healthcare worker returned to serve in her home village for years!

       Our team and other volunteers provide direct training and "hands-on" medical care. We work with local doctors to share skills and provide ultrasound screening for under-served communities in the rural and remote areas. We especially screen for thyroid and breast tumors which are a problem throughout Vietnam, and assist those patients who need referrals for advanced care. We also join clinic days where expectant tribal mothers come down to the rural hospitals for invaluable prenatal care, and our local partners reassure the elderly patients who are sometimes frightened by foreigners whom they rarely see. However, after one visit, these senior citizens invite us to return as often as we can. We are gentle so they trust us.

       We also donate locally-purchased new clothing to the minority students—some who attend high schools and colleges where we conduct clinics in the school’s medical office. Many of these students have been recruited from the minority tribes of Vietnam and neighboring Laos, and will return home after graduation to serve in their own communities for decades.    

A discussion of the applications of medical ultrasound—a team member working with medical doctors in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.

What We've Achieved