Pres and I flew to Hanoi Saturday the 9th.   The staff of Tomodachi House, the hostel we stayed in was helpful as always and led us to shops in Cha Ca where we could source for crayons, pens, and colouring books as well as soaps, toothbrushes, boxes of toothpaste, face towels, and baby powder for our goodie bags!

Sister Hai was very excited knowing we brought 50 talc powder bottles for all the residents, including Sister Hai herself, something they’d likely not spend their money on considering the scant resources they have.

Huong was very nice to have bought warm blankets for the residents.  Thank you very much, Huong!  Her daughter Oc was our very reliable translator as her English is really strong for a young girl her age!

With Huong, Oc and Voi 🙂

Our friends Tri and Trung and Pres and I have one thing in common – Baker & McKenzie.  Pres and I were from the Manila office while Tri and Trung are with Baker & McKenzie Hanoi.  WE met over a decade ago and despite the distance, our friendship blossomed and here we are now, doing charity work together!

True friends do not happen everyday.  They are in fact very rare this day and age.  Baker & McKenzie brought us all together!

Before we left, Sister Hai and the rest of the sisters prepared us some pho ga (chicken noodle soup); thank you all very much for the thoughtfulness!

Our group photo with the volunteers and Sister Hai and the kids!  We will see you all again really soon!

“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.” — Wess Stafford