Since 1988, we had been providing assistance to unaccompanied minors who had fled Vietnam and had been held in Hong Kong and Southeast Asian detention camps. In 1994, we extended our assistance to those unaccompanied children who had been repatriated to Thua Thien Hue Province. We wrote about our experiences in Voices from the Camps: Vietnamese Children Seeking Asylum. Because of our success in working with these children, we were convinced that we knew how to set up feasible and cost-effective projects that would meet the needs of the wider population of impoverished families. We started with disaster relief, construction of an orphanage, educational assistance, and mobile health clinics. To this, we added an economic self-sufficiency program, which we expanded with funding from the McKnight Foundation. We selected our projects to meet the expressed needs of the people we serve, but also to be feasible, sustainable, and self-renewing.

The character of our organization came from the vision of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Huu, formerly a lieutenant colonel in the South Vietnamese army, a highly decorated wounded combat veteran, and a military attaché in Thailand for the South Vietnamese government. When he and his family fled to America as refugees in 1975, “Bac Huu” as he is known to his friends and associates, chose to dedicate the rest of his professional life to helping children. To do this, he earned a Masters degree in Social Work (his second graduate degree) and was hired as a social worker specializing in family and children’s services, first in Alabama, and later in the county of Santa Clara, California. In addition to this, he launched three nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping people in desperate need, especially vulnerable children. He was widely recognized for his activities, winning the Social Worker of the Year Award in California, and the Koshland Award for Outstanding Practitioner, both from the National Association of Social Workers.

In working with children, whether refugees, immigrants, repatriated children, or simply those at risk, Bac Huu’s outlook was simple and unambiguous: “The protection and welfare of these children should be the first priority of those persons and agencies entrusted with their care.” He found that responsible officials, whether in America, the refugee camps of Southeast Asia, or the villages and towns of Vietnam, often did not follow this principle, and so he intervened to help the children. He did this without being confrontational, but also without letting officials off the hook. He would ask them, “How would you treat these children if they were your own?” By talking with them, not as an adversary, but as if they were members of his family, officials, both in politically charged refugee camps and in initially wary Vietnam, responded positively and worked with him to ease the burdens the children faced.

In reflecting on what his foundation has accomplished in Vietnam, Bac Huu reveals both his passion and the reason why he inspires so many volunteers to work with him: Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese, young and old, high school students and professionals in social services, public health, technology, academia and business. “Admittedly, our assistance programs are so small considering the great needs and difficulties of Thua Thien Hue residents. Yet, the philosophy of sharing with others who are in need, regardless of how much, is always a worthy one, and it is applied to this situation where our brothers and sisters do not have enough food and shelter.”

It is the familial spirit of those words that drives our commitment to this organization. We are the Friends of Hue because we do not just give; we do so as friends, with respect for the people we help and in a personal way, one on one. In America, our members are unpaid volunteers. Those who can do so visit Vietnam at their own expense and meet firsthand the children, families, villagers, and townspeople we assist. Miss Lieu Thi Dang, for example, frequently visits the many children and families she assists in the regions of Hue and Danang. She has done this for several years and has had the pleasure of following the fortunes of these children as they become young adults. American combat veteran Mr. Dodie Gaines has built several schools in hinterland areas of Thua Thien Hue Province, and has sponsored numerous mobile health clinics as well as providing assistance for particular children at risk. “I work with a number of organizations,” says Dodie, “but I love Friends of Hue because we are like a family, and we meet the people we help. We are small, but it is the spirit of giving that attracts me. Bac Huu went there and linked us with the children. When I go to Vietnam and I see these kids, my heart goes out to them and I want to do all I can to help them. I want them to have a chance in life. They deserve that, as all kids do.” Miss Jennie Mollica, who had previously spent two years doing volunteer work in Hue with another organization, joined the Friends of Hue Foundation because of its long-term commitment to help the victims of the 1999 flood, as well as its other assistance programs. She says, “I was inspired by the dedication and vision of the organization’s founder. I was interested in supporting its work in whatever ways I could, and the idea of working side by side with Bac Huu held great appeal.” She is one of several people who drive more than fifty miles to attend Board meetings.

In America, our members communicate by mail with the children and families we help in Vietnam. Many of us sponsor a child or several children residing in our children’s shelter/orphanage by paying their entire expenses for a year or a fraction of a year, while others sponsor mobile health clinics or the special medical needs including surgery required by a particular child. Frequently our members sponsor projects that are especially dear to their hearts. Mr. Duc Nguyen and his wife Yen Chi, both young professionals, established a library in our orphanage, while an older Vietnamese donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, contributed the major part of the funds to build a new wing to our already existing shelter. It will be devoted to education and job training.

The recipients of our assistance tell us of their gratitude. In one community that benefited from our McKnight Foundation micro-economic development grant, a local authority said with approval and pride, “This is really a program contributing to hunger eradication and poverty reduction in this village.” Nguyen Thi Na, fifteen, a resident in our shelter writes, “I feel extremely fortunate that our 27 brothers and sisters have been admitted to this home that is built for us from generous people living far far away. Although strict with rules and guidelines we all feel a great sense of ease and comfort here. Our teachers (the staff) are really good people who teach us right from wrong. I am proud to be appointed older sister and the more fun and happy I feel the harder I work to be a proper role model for our younger siblings. My dream is to work hard in school so I can succeed so I can contribute to society.” Mr. Nguyen Xuan Loc’s daughter received a scholarship from the Friends of Hue Foundation. He writes, “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank the Foundation and its supporters for helping my daughter, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, during the past year for all the material and emotional support, not small matters, to enable her to attend school like other children her age. Without your assistance my daughter’s education would not have been possible.”

In Vietnam, our professionally trained paid staff of Vietnamese citizens runs our day-to day operations from their office in Hue located at the children’s shelter, which opened in August 2003. The residents range in age from seven to eighteen. The shelter, a two-story complex in the Xuan Phu District of Hue, which can accommodate forty residents, presents a loving and protective environment for the children. The manager of the shelter, Miss Thai Thi Kim Thanh expresses our organization’s commitment to these children. “In order to work here, you must have a really dedicated team to care, love, and support the children.” Housemother Mrs. Luu Thi Minh Nhung exemplifies that commitment when she says, “In order for the kids to experience love and listen to your guidance, your love must be sincere and genuine. The kids taught me about being a family. They need a family, and therefore I have to take care of them like my own children. Personally, I have benefited a great deal since working at the shelter. I have also learned of happiness, which is returned when you bring happiness to others.” She adds further that these children, who had been in desperate straits before coming to the shelter, “now dress in warm clothes, have full meals, and attend school regularly. Their lives are now more meaningful and more complete, and they have a brighter future.” Mr. Phan Van Phu, the shelter’s security guard says that in the same way he is “a father at home, I can be a father to them here. I consider this my bigger family.”

The shelter places a strong emphasis on school achievement as well as cooperative projects. Although the newest of the four orphanages in Hue, the shelter in its first year of existence has already become renowned as an incubator for children’s achievements. Mr. Truong Trong Khanh, the Director of Friends of Hue Foundation in Vietnam, proudly recounts some of their successes. One of the shelter’s students has just been accepted into the university, the first child to do so from any of the orphanages in Hue. In city-wide competitions, the children won first place in a talent show and three first prizes in an arts and crafts contest. “The children worked together really hard for this contest, and this accomplishment shows that Friends of Hue Foundation is a proven success in taking care of the children and is headed in the right direction.”

Reflecting their trust in us, Vietnamese officials have allowed us to operate an office independently and provide services directly, without working through local organizations. Individuals and organizations from many countries also stop by for varying lengths of time at our facility in Hue and provide assistance in accordance with their skills and interests. Although for health reasons Bac Huu has retired as Executive Director of Friends of Hue Foundation, Mr. Arthur Bao has stepped into the position from 2003 - 2005, both continued in the spirit of his predecessor and ably exploring new directions for projects. The Friends of Hue Foundation welcomes donors large and small, as well as volunteers who might wish to provide assistance to children and families in need, and who would welcome being part of a familial atmosphere in which assistance and giving are done with respect and concern to meet the needs of the people they are intended to help.

Nguyen Dai Nhat is the Shelter youngster who won a place in the university. His remarks about his life in the shelter eloquently convey the spirit of the place and the reasons why our foundation is committed to helping these children. He writes, “Our children’s shelter and vocational center was built with the generosity of donors to Friends of Hue Foundation. We are a full and fun family of 27 siblings, all coming from extreme economic difficulty, well taken care with love and guidance by the aunts and uncles (shelter staff). I came home today and received the fun news that we will participate in a pen-pal program. Everyone is so excited, from the smallest to the oldest child. Even our aunts and uncles will be writing. Most surprising is our seven year old in the second grade. Not only is he writing, but also he is drawing pictures to go with his letter. He makes all of us laugh with his wide toothy smile. We treasure the friendships and comraderie we have made in our large family. This year, I studied especially hard to do well in the difficult college entrance exam. My wish is to complete college, become a good teacher, and help children, especially those who have a difficult life.”

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS:

Disaster relief.
This is funded as needed.

Children’s shelter

Orphanage for 40 boys and girls. Opened in August 2003 with 20 children and is filling the remaining places. Currently there are 31 children enrolled. The final group will be admitted by this fall for the next school year.
Vocational center wing. Soliciting funds. A major portion of this has been donated by an anonymous patron.

Health

Mobile health care project with the sponsorship of American patrons and the assistance of the local Committee for Protection and Care of Children, volunteer medical teams from Hue Central Hospital go to remote and impoverished areas of Thua Thien Hue Province, giving free medical exams and free medicine. In 2003, mobile clinics in eleven villages served 4048 persons.

Corrective surgery over 130 children were helped. Funded by individual patrons.

Education

Scholarships 99 children in Hue and four districts. Funded by individual patrons.
Construction of schools Presently renovating and constructing a village school for 50 Students.

McKnight Foundation Grant for Economic Self-sufficiency (2002, 2003, 2004)
Adults: 300-day non-interest loans of $27 each to develop small businesses and agriculture. Distributed initially to 100 families. When repaid, the loans are re-circulated to others in the same community. An additional 50 families have received loans this way. Loans are used for paddy seeds, fishnets, livestock, street vending, bicycle and pedicab repair shops.

Children: Animal husbandry.
Calf raising project Involves thirty children, supervised by an adult with veterinary experience. To qualify, the child must be enrolled in school and be making satisfactory progress. When the calf becomes a mature cow, the child may sell the milk and all other calves except the first one, which is given to another child.

Sow raising project Involves 80 schoolchildren. They give the offspring to other poor students.
Because of hoof and mouth disease, the animal husbandry projects were temporarily halted but are now back on track.

About the author: James M. Freeman (Ph.D. Harvard) is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Friends of Hue Foundation. He is an Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at San Jose State University, winner of an American Book Award for Hearts of Sorrow: Vietnamese American Lives, and a former Fellow of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford.