Once Giving it Back to Kids was formed, the DeSimone family was immediately committed to the mission of helping children achieve their maximum potential through medical care, education, nutrition, and love.

What wasn’t as immediate was Karla’s first trip to Viet Nam. She confesses that Robert asked her for six years to join them on a trip before she stepped off the plane for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City. Her hesitancy was due to her fear that she would not be able to help the kids enough, but one trip erased any doubt… and the rest, as they say, is history. Karla invests in her “kids” and keeps in close contact with them via letters, email, Skype, FaceTime, and of course, visits! Now Karla is the one encouraging others to go on a trip with Giving it Back to Kids so they can experience changed lives and build lifetime bonds of love. The relationships Karla has formed are deeply rooted. A few years ago, one of Karla’s sponsor children asked her to be her Mom at her wedding and now Karla excitedly is the Grandma to twins.