Hope this blog find everyone well. I know I’ve been out of touch with most, and I apologize! I’m at the end of my volunteer time in Vietnam (I think) and for sure it has been the busiest yet. With a very fried brain, I can’t conjure up many personal thoughts/reflections at the moment, but I can write a little bit about what I’ve been doing and can post some photos to give you an idea. (If you’re unfamiliar with the project, please see below for links to the beginning stages.) First off, I’ve been in business mode - and have [View Full Entry]

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I’m always inspired with how smart children are, 20-month old Harrison has been no exception. With no concept of time, he’s a master at living in the moment. Looking at everything as if it is a fascinating miracle, which means a smooshed bug on the floor is as spectacular as a fancy diamond ring, and a garbage truck is way cooler than...anything. This also means a stroll down the street could take hours as we discuss at length every leaf, stone and bug that come across our path. Life is stress-free, happy and simple, and Harrison keeps me smiling (and busy!) [View Full Entry]

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Warm greetings from Vietnam! I’m full swing back into the disabled woman’s workshop that we began back in March 2008. But one of the most exciting aspects of my return was being able to deliver the memory portraits created by women of (no name) Art Group. ( About the project ). This time I’m happy to post actual video, which really shows the impact of the project. The women were touched beyond words and I was honored to represent the selflessness and talent of our group here in Vietnam. I feel it's proof that shari [View Full Entry]

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Blogging from May 3-10th, 2008 For my last week, I set out for the Scottish Highlands to join up with Trees For Life, a non-profit organization I’ve been fond of since the (no name) Art Group Candle Project 2004 (our environmental beneficiary). They are also the organization from whom I’ve purchased many little tree gifts from. Volunteering with TFL would be an opportunity to do something a little different, working with the earth instead of people. Gettin dirty and doing something out of my comfort zone keeps it all interes [View Full Entry]

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"It will all be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end." For sometime now, I couldn't stop my gut from wanting to see the castles along the coast of Scotland. This gut decision wasn't the most "logical idea" (as if any of them have been). It came with a pretty pricey plane ticket and an ungodly transit from Vietnam: 4 planes, 2 taxis, 1 bus, and some gold old fashioned time and patience got me here in about 2 days. Still say this is not a bad deal, going across the globe in a weekend. It [View Full Entry]

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The redwood trees are the tallest and strongest trees in the world, living for up to 2,200 years and reaching up to 380 ft. in height. Yet the root system of the redwood tree is surprisingly shallow, there is no main root. The way in which the trees are able to remain upright and strong for millennia is by growing close together with other redwood trees, intermingling and sharing root systems. Lifestart continues to grow on all levels. Karen's workload is shared by many others, adding to the success of the organization. Thank you to everyone who has gone above and [View Full Entry]

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My main assignment here in Hoi An is running a workshop for some of our gals in the disabled group (aka the Sweethearts). Our goal is to make a small product line of arts/crafts to eventually be sold online. Giving them the ability and skills to create a small range of quality crafts, we hope to provide them with a sustainable income, increased self-confidence and independence in their lives. The workshop runs 4 hours a day/5 days a week, but my schedule has been more like 24/7. It's been quite the challenge to say the least. Coordinating translators, seating, wheelchairs, ramps, [View Full Entry]

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Meet our 2nd Nguyen. Nguyen “2” was born with a heart condition, commonly referred to as a “hole in the heart”. In developed countries, this would be detected at an early age and fixed by a fairly simple procedure. But living in Vietnam, Nguyen’s condition was not diagnosed until recently. She needs a complete heart and lung transplant, which at this stage is close to impossible, even if performed in a Western country. At 21 years old, Nguyen has been given a maximum of 2 years to live. She must also be very cautious. We're told that if she catches any [View Full Entry]

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Insight On Disabled Life In Vietnam This time last year a group of 65 disabled adults contacted Karen. This special group all live in or near Hoi An and are all disabled in some way - some through accidents, some through cerebral palsy or polio. Meeting with the group sounds like a feat in itself. Very few cafes and meeting places are wheelchair accessible. Here are some notes taken from Karen's blog last year: ...there is currently no help, support or grants the group was receiving. and they were not meeting to apply for help or sponsorship. (They looked at me [View Full Entry]

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Before last Saturday, we knew nothing of the boy living around the corner in the center of town. Meeting Nguyen (pronounced NEW-in), age 29, shook both me and Karen. It’s not exactly certain what has happened to Nguyen, how, or when it happened. Western doctors Josh and John assess that a combination of encephalitis at the age of 18 (virus in the brain), a motorbike injury, head trauma, broken bones, malnutrition and neglect have left him in this current condition. Despite his broken body, Nguyen’s brain functions normally. He has finished 12 years of schooling before the accid [View Full Entry]

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