Dorothea's Project Legacy

Greeting from Viet Nam!

Where do i begin? It’s been over 2 years since my last trip to VN… today we got to visit Dorothea’s legacy 2 and our newest Legacy 3! The reality of why it’s worth jumping through hoops to come and reignite the passion i have for this calling Ima so fortunate and blessed to be part of. Before I go any further, I must reinforce how important each one of you are. Be it by receiving this email, replying in a comment, hitting a like button on social media, being a donor, whatever size or even coming to see! Each one of you are an encouragement and give me strength to push on!

A few days before sending and posting we got to visit 2 of Dorothea’s Project Legacy’s. They are our “community’ centers in rural areas. We provide tutoring in Math, Computer, Physics, English, Chemistry, Emotional health and soft skill. We also have a nurse on the premises that helps kids and in addition to helping pregnant woman during their pregnancy until their child reaches 1 year old. They help to diagnosis if a mom to be needs to see a doctor in the city. And helps a mom to be to know how to take care of herself and her newborn. 

Our first stop was to Legacy 3. It was my first visit since we had students. What an amazing place. There is a number of kids from ethnic minorities here. At the English class a little girl stood up and asked me in English! May I give you a gift. even as I type a flood of emotions hits me. When I unwrapped the little poster, they made with touching notes needless to say it took all I had within to fight back tears. 

We got to visit each of the classes. In each I had the opportunity to speak. I shared about dreaming BIG! To never, never quit. I share Tam’s story from dirt floor poverty to being todays Vice President of GIBTK! And To’s story from extreme poverty to being a key leader in charge of construction and so many other of our programs. All because they NEVER QUIT! 

We must move out of our present location of legacy 3. The local district of Hiep Duc govt has not only provided a new location but are paying for the entire building to be rebuilt and prepared for us. The new location is a very short distance for our current spot. Funny thing is this “new” location just happens to be the place we wanted when we first looked for a location. Go figure how things work out….

(The new location for Legacy 3)

In Vietnam there is many needless children’s deaths from drowning. An average of 2000 kids drown per year in Vietnam! Kids don’t know how to swim, floods happen regularly! Just last week I read of 6 kids who drowned in Central VN. They were all playing together and their bodies never found. At our new location with cooperation and partnership of local officials we are going to build a swimming pool but also provide swim lessons and water safety. A special shout out to board member Steve Stuart and his family for making this happen!

(Location for a swimming pool)

Our last stop was to Dorothea’s Project Legacy 2, which began early 2018. I have visited in the past but seeing the kids today, using the word “warmed” my heart is an understatement. 12 kids from Legacy 2 have gone on to university! Please understand this area is extreme poverty and chances are they would never have had this opportunity! Again, that flood of emotions I so missed during this pandemic. Over 114 pregnant girls have come through our pregnancy program at Legacy 2. Ensuring these young mothers to be and their new born child proper care! 

Most of the kids I knew from previous trips attend the first session and missed, The new kids were a thrill! Many had made personal cards for me and proudly yet shyly to me. 

One young girl was the recipient of a heart surgery funded by gibtk 2 years ago! Her health is good and now she is enjoying and living a new opportunity! WOW! Two of the teachers here graduated from our university program homes. 

(A past heart-surgery recipient)

My friends this is what we are all about. Transforming lives! Again, thank you for being gibtk! You really are part of our team! This June we are planning a 20 celebration of gibtk in Vietnam. It will be held in Danang. LOVE to have you join and come and see! Please let me know if you have interests. There is also a way to raise funds for your trip. 

We ARE GIBTK and WE TRANSFORM LIVES!

Robert Kalatschan

Giving it Back to Kids

www.gibtk.org

robert@gibtk.org