Eleanor, Kisten and Diem sorting through all the donated toys! 

The professional showing us how it's really done! 

Who's sleeping on the job? 

Da Loi School AFTER 

Da Loi School BEFORE 

Day 7 - Da Loi Primary School, Da Lat

Today we headed early to the Da Loi Primary School. It's a short drive there from where we were staying and as we arrived the teachers were there to welcome us. The school had contacted to sponsor the renovation of two of their buildings this year for a mere $1400. We agreed to put in some free labor and help in the renovation. It was suggested that we participate by replacing the roof, doing the tile work and painting but given our limited time and most of all lack of skills we opted to pay for that work to be done except the painting/whitewashing.

The Da Loi Primary school was open about 40 years ago. Currently it has 110 students K-5th grade and most of them come from poor families in the area. There are 12 teachers there and the Principal of the school has been there about 15 years. She told me that it was the first time ever that westerners (a.k.a. our team) has ever visited the school let alone coming with presents and to work! Back when it was first opened it was a school that was know to have a lot of children with leprosy, now they only have 1 or 2 children with leprosy annually.

We were asked by the school and coordinated by the Red Cross to replace the roof, ceiling and floors of two main buildings. When we arrived we had the best of intentions to be as efficient as possible. We even divided into small groups that were in charge of each task - but like usual we all just started doing what had to be done and ignored the "groups". Everyone's first task was to sand all the windows, doors and walls. That was a very messy messy job. But Red Cross was prepared and gave us gloves and masks. Some of us looked like we were more than ready for a scooter ride!

The school teachers had arrived at 4 am that morning to prepare breakfast for us of "bun
Bo Hue". They didn't realize we had already had breakfast and fed us anyway at 10:30. It was delicious and a welcome break from all the dust. We then finished the sanding and scraping and went to the "whitewashing" of the walls inside and out. The paint brushes they gave us to use looked more like mops but they did work once we were given instruction by the professional that we had hired to supervise us. Those that didn't paint walls were delegated to windows, doors and preparing gift bags for the children. A couple of us had the task of helping with the meals - chopping and more chopping. And a few of us were given the very detailed task of making the banner for the official "completion ceremony".

We really did do a good job and only in a few short hours. As we put it on it looked pretty bad but once we were able to step away with it did look great! As another ceremony started the 85+ kids that were there I drafted Barbara to speak on our behalf. She was the only smart one to bring another set of "good clothes" to change into. It was appropriate though, she's a kindergarten teacher in St. Paul. There were other officials there but painless.

Emily's school made some pictures and letters to present to the children in first grade and Keelin's school, Brookfield Academy donated huge supplies of toys and we're so grateful. What an awesome job! Kudos to our youngest team members in getting so many things donated! Thank You!!! The bags were filled to the brim with paper, crayons, markers and fun stuff. When we gave them to the children they were so excited but out of respect for their guests (all of us) they did not open anything up. A few of the younger ones were too excited and definitely had huge smiles when they saw all of their new treasures!

Even though we were there only 6 hours it felt really good to get dirty and into the work! And definitely worthwhile when the kids started coming in and watching us. Jack started a game of jump rope and jeff m. took his turn of playing "catch the giant" (he happens to be about 3 feet taller than the kids!) It was fun to see them try to catch him and then to be chased by him.

We were all done by 3:00 and back to the hotel for a break and some power shopping before our excursion to visit one of the ethnic minorities group of Vietnam that live in or near Da Lat. The night was filled with a campfire and lots of singing and dancing. They finally set out the "moonshine" and it's always fun to see how that affects our dancing ability!

We head back to Saigon tomorrow night and then on to the Tam Bin orphanage for children with AIDS.

Thanks again for all your support!
Peace,
Caroline