Yesterday was a quite meaningful day when my classmates and I went to Friendship Village in Van Canh Commune, Ha Tay Province, approximately 11 km west of Hanoi. It is a second home to children and veterans suffered from serious health problems attributed to the lingering effects of Agent Orange, the defoliant sprayed extensively by US forces in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Residents are rotated through the village to receive treatment and then returned to their families as their condition permits.
At exactly 1PM, we all gathered and waited for the minivan to pick us up. While I was chatting with my friends under the shades of green in the Guest House’s yard, I noticed a little boy with backpack was coming along with Gerard, our professor. I made a slip of my tongue: “What a cute kid, is he someone’s little brother?” Damn my shortsighted eyes. When we departed, I found myself in an extremely embarrassed moment as Long, the one I believed to be a cute kid appeared older than me. He is a victim of Agent Orange who was coming to guide us through the village.
Every kid here shows vibrant visage and happy smile. But watching them, a subtle melancholy touched me. Previously, all I knew about Agent Orange is from the media, so seeing dioxin infected kids in person truly hit me. We were guided on a tour round the classroom area with 3 rooms for special training and 4 for vocational training. There are also other buildings for residence. Afterwards, we were divided into group to play with the children here. I had a talk with some kids in the embroider class. Most of them are a little shy, however, very very cute. Plus, they are so talented. Ly and I were completely wrapped up in embroidering some patterns and ended up with little achievement whist Thang, our reluctant instructor almost finished his work. Thang is three years old younger than me. He is affected by Agent Orange, as other kids, but at a less severe level. A totally likeable boy and dexterous craftsman, he just made me realize how clumsy I am. Our conversation went well (although I almost destroyed his artistic work :”>). But when I asked him about his health condition, he just responded with a bashful smile.
Before we came home, I bought a bookmark with fine flower embroidery designs made by Friendship Village’s students. It will be my precious treasure that I will always bring along to remind me of those admirable kids who are struggling to fight their own fate, and tell myself to study harder as well as not to waste any moment of my life.
At exactly 1PM, we all gathered and waited for the minivan to pick us up. While I was chatting with my friends under the shades of green in the Guest House’s yard, I noticed a little boy with backpack was coming along with Gerard, our professor. I made a slip of my tongue: “What a cute kid, is he someone’s little brother?” Damn my shortsighted eyes. When we departed, I found myself in an extremely embarrassed moment as Long, the one I believed to be a cute kid appeared older than me. He is a victim of Agent Orange who was coming to guide us through the village.
Every kid here shows vibrant visage and happy smile. But watching them, a subtle melancholy touched me. Previously, all I knew about Agent Orange is from the media, so seeing dioxin infected kids in person truly hit me. We were guided on a tour round the classroom area with 3 rooms for special training and 4 for vocational training. There are also other buildings for residence. Afterwards, we were divided into group to play with the children here. I had a talk with some kids in the embroider class. Most of them are a little shy, however, very very cute. Plus, they are so talented. Ly and I were completely wrapped up in embroidering some patterns and ended up with little achievement whist Thang, our reluctant instructor almost finished his work. Thang is three years old younger than me. He is affected by Agent Orange, as other kids, but at a less severe level. A totally likeable boy and dexterous craftsman, he just made me realize how clumsy I am. Our conversation went well (although I almost destroyed his artistic work :”>). But when I asked him about his health condition, he just responded with a bashful smile.
Before we came home, I bought a bookmark with fine flower embroidery designs made by Friendship Village’s students. It will be my precious treasure that I will always bring along to remind me of those admirable kids who are struggling to fight their own fate, and tell myself to study harder as well as not to waste any moment of my life.
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