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Pat Keegan
My name is Pat Keegan and I am currently serving as Treasurer of the Friends of the Kontum Vinh Son Orphanage non profit organization.
I have been interested in Vietnam for many years. I was in high school and college during most of the Vietnam War. Anyone in my generation knows how divisive, controversial and painful those times were. We were simultaneously waging war with a country most people could not find on a map, and a war with ourselves. For me, there have always been many unanswered questions: Why did we pick Vietnam, of all places, to try to stop Communist expansion? Why did our brave soldiers not receive the respect and appreciation they deserved? I could go on and on. So when my friends Dave Chaix, Mike Gregersen and Pat McKee invited me to join them on a tour in 2002 I was anxious to go.
I was immediately impressed by the Vietnamese people. As we drove from the airport into Hanoi I wondered where this sea of humanity (mainly on foot, bike or motorbike) was going. Well, they were headed with their goods to the markets. I quickly realized, especially after interacting with a number of Vietnamese, that they are amongst the hardest working and industrious people I have ever met. I was also surprised how friendly they were to us. Part of that was the novelty of being American, but I had expected a cool reception due to the war. Our guide explained that most of the population was born after the war and that many of the Vietnamese remember the good Americans did during the war – moving civilians out of harms way and building many of the roads, hospitals and dams still in use today. Everywhere we went the Vietnamese wanted to give us things, take pictures with us, and try out their English.Most of all, I was impressed by their upbeat demeanor. Despite being very poor, especially by our standards (average annual per capita income ~$400), they are generally positive, can-do people. They earned my deep respect.
About half way through the first trip, we visited a Bahnar village near Kontum, a remote area in the Central Highlands. It was amazing to see how different life can be. No running water, no power, no sewage treatment as we know it. Transportation was by foot or a bike, if you were lucky. No Safeway stores, no refrigerators, no microwaves. They eat what they grow, harvest and cook by open fire. These were the Montagnard (mountain people). They are the poorest of the poor.
Then came one of the highlights of the trip, a visit to the Vinh Son Orphanage. Dave and Pat had visited there the year before and knew, before they left, that they needed to do something to help these kids and caregivers. I have always had a soft spot for kids and reacted exactly the same way. I was saddened by their poverty, but fascinated by their traditions, and inspired by their resilience. I knew I had to help too.
Since that visit, I have been back twice. When I leave the Orphanage I have a lump in my throat the size of a bowling ball. I know we making progress, but there is still so much to do.
My involvement with supporting the orphanage has been a very rewarding experience. We have an opportunity to help people who are disadvantaged beyond the wildest imagination of most Americans. At the same time, I have had the opportunity to meet and team up with new friends around the country who are also committed to making a difference with these kids.
There is a wealth of information on this website about our mission, projects, the Montagnard people and the Vinh Son orphanage. Thank you for your interest and I hope you will join us in these efforts. I can assure you that the need is very real and the gratitude is equally as deep.
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