Other Projects

DIRECT SPONSORSHIP PROJECT
This project allows a donor to directly sponsor a child at Vinh Son, or one of the other orphanages, for as little as $100 a year. You can support the child as an individual or as a civic or religious organization. There are always more children than there are sponsors.

LEPROSY VILLAGE
We have taken action to bring a nearby Leprosy Village into the FoCHvn universe of assistance. We have succeeded in securing funding for repairs to many homes damaged in the 2009 flood; all of the children will see the dentist, and we have brought quality of life projects to the village. Funding for the village projects have been “directed funding” as well as general funding.

DENTAL PROJECTS
We have taken hundreds of children to the dentist for exam and dental care. These are children who have never been to the dentist and would never have expected to see a dentist in their life time. This is an on-going project and we have been joined by another organization in this project.

QUALITY-OF-LIFE PROJECTS
As an organization, FoCH, Inc. has a presence at the orphanage that is second to none. Based on that presence we see clearly the day-to-day needs of the children and we are there with the assistance needed, from medicine, to powered milk, to flour for bread and personal hygiene products for the older girls.

• Beach Trips
  Since 2005 we have provided a Beach Outing for many of the children. We have been to the beaches at Qui Nhon and Nha Trang. This may seem trivial, but please realize that most of these children would never see the Ocean in their lifetimes. Our mission was verified by the little boy who was splashing in the water and stated: “This is the largest river I ever seen….and it is salty too”
  
  In 2007 we have added in new bathing suits for the children, for as simple as that would appear, the children never had swim suits since there was never a need.
  
  
• CHRISTMAS PARTY
  Since December 2006 we had the distinct pleasure of providing a Christmas Party for the children, including a tree, music, wrapped gifts and Christmas cards provided by children in the United States. It is our intention to keep Christmas not only in our hearts, but also in the orphanage at Vinh Son. Our Christmas parties have expanded over the years to several other orphanages in the area.
  
  
• MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL & TET, NEW YEAR
  Among our Quality of Life projects we include the Vietnamese holidays of Mid Autumn Festival and Tet New year. These are very important and festive times and the children now have their celebrations included with the rest of the nation.

FARM PROJECT
In the past several years, FoCH, Inc. has been providing funds as an organization and also as personal direct donations to buy land and live stock as well as fruit trees and other agricultural items to start and maintain a small farm. The products are used for feeding the children, teaching farming to the older boys and girls and any money realized above costs goes back into the farm.

SCHOOL CLOTHING PROJECT
In 2007, we have purchased on the open market in Sai Gon the material needed to make the school uniforms for the children. The national uniform in Viet Nam is a white top and a blue bottom. The material is being sewn into the uniforms needed by the sewing shop at the orphanage, which is vocational training for the older girls who are doing the work.

This year we have also purchased on the open market in Sai Gon, a large quantity of back packs for the children and we will also supply the children with the supplies they need.

CONSTRUCTION

• GIRLS DORMITORY
  In 2005, FoCH, Inc., in partnership with an Italian organization, completed the construction of a new dorm for the girls. This was complete with running water and flush toilets. We are currently having additional beds fabricated and we have already built personal lockers for the girls with a generous private donation to our Viet Nam office.
  
  
• NEW BOYS DORMITORY
  In 2010 we completed the construction of a new boys dorm at the orphanage we call Jackfruit. This included lighting and furnishings.
  
  
• PRIVATE HOME PROJECTS
  Taken as private donations from some private citizens, we have been able to consult with regards to the construction of several small houses for people in desperate need based on our background knowledge.

VILLAGE CHILDREN PROJECT
Many tribal boys and girls come to Kon Tum to stay so they can attend school. These are not orphans, but they live too far away for daily travel as their tribal areas are not yet serviced by the government schools. Since the distance is too far for daily commuting, the teen boys and girls stay at the orphanage in converted animal shelters.
There is little light in these primitive conditions and of course there are no running water taps or bathing and toilet facilities. It is all very, very rural Viet Nam basic.
We have delivered assistance to these children and we will be able to report on it soon. Our first success there was the completion of a new kitchen for the children to have their meals prepared. Prior to this, cooking was done in one pot on an open fire built on the dirt floor.

DISABILITY ORPHANAGE
In a nearby orphanage for severely disabled children, we have been providing supplemental supplies and furnishings as we have seen a need for. We will continue to assist the children placed here as we can.

VILLAGE EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
We are providing assistance to remote village children with reference to their education. The children are selected for assistance and their progress is closely monitored to assure the project meets their needs and that they are meeting the requirements of the assistance. Through 2010 we have 14 rural villages who are involved with this project.

INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
Through personal commitment, several of our members have taken individual assistance projects with people they have become close with during our years of assistance in the area. Although we do not service individuals as an organization, we nonetheless see problems that can be addressed on a one to one basis and our members have no problem doing extra, above and beyond the call of duty.

All smiles from the Beach Trip