Notes on COPI activities October, 2008

2008 Tet celebration: Children of Peace International (COPI) celebrated the Lunar New Year with 400 Vietnamese caregivers in 7 orphanages from North to South. Each caregiver received an equivalent of $30/person for their LiXi. We appreciate the caregivers dedication in caring for the children 24/7 on a very meek income.

Our1world, Vi Nguyen, Tran Kim Anh and COPI also provide 200 uniforms and backpacks for 200 children of indigenous tribes in Vinh Long. The uniforms served as both New year outfits and school uniforms for the elementary children in 2 counties. Thank you co Cathy, co Vi, co Anh for sharing so generously. PACCOM in Vinh Long was kind enough to bring a bit of sunshine to these children on our behalf, thank you officer Nam Le.

COPI, PALS and Compassionate Flower collaborated in Thua Thien when they awarded 10. COPI Spring Medical Mission started in Thanh Ba, Phu tho, Sapa, Soc Son, Thua Thien, Quang nam and HCMC. We held 7 clinic days with 30 American and 18 Vietnamese team members. We provided basic health screening and dental care for 1600 patients on a 17 day tour. This year, we have the blessing of having our partners from VA NGO join us: 4 volunteers from Our1world and 4 volunteers from FESR. We also welcomed 14 students from Yale University who gave us 1 day of their tour and worked in Kim Doi, Hue. Our youngest team member was Emily Kane daughter of Michael Kane and Cathy Lam. Special gift to our youngest patients were Michael Kane serenaded “Kia con buom vang” in Vietnamese at many clinics; thank you Michael.

COPI is ready for the Summer Medical Mission starting on July 23 thru August 9. COPI will visit Phu tho, Quang Ninh, Quang Nam, Cam Ranh, and Binh Duong. If you would like to join this team, please ring binh rybacki at 970-667-3716

COPI started construction of two classrooms—preschool and kindergarten—in Vung Liem, Vinh Long. COPI will use chi Tran Kim Anh of PALS as our expert to help set up the classroom which will serve the imagination and creativity of our young scholars.

COPI also will start the 2008-2009 school year with 300 scholarships to children in 5 districts of Phu Yen province. 95% of the scholarships recipients are indigenous children in Phu Yen. 97% of the students are advancing to the next grade every year. COPI aims to encourage the children to stay in school and advance to higher education

Above all, COPI will renew its need assessment to support 7 orphanages with food and school fees. COPI is considering opening up two more orphanages in Nam Dinh and HCMC. Friends of Hue Foundation had expressed its interest joining COPI to open the orphanage in Nam Dinh.

“To serve is a privilege ”