Do you remember how awesome Whoopi Goldberg was in Sister Act? Well, we encountered quite a few nuns who were MORE awesome than her. We spent the entire day with nuns; first with the Daughters of Charity in Cu Chi, and then with The Lovers of the Holy Cross in Ho Chi Minh City.
Yesterday, we spent the first half of the day meeting with the Daughters of Charity in Cu Chi, where they took us to a home for children living with HIV/AIDS. But, before we started our journey to Cu Chi, I got my very own War Wound (I must have forgetten for the moment that the war has been over for quite a few years). As i was walking across the street (which is an adventure in itself), I clipped my arm on a flag post that had a metal rod sticking out. It didn't hurt at all, but when I looked at my arm there was blood EVERYWHERE. Luckily I got a tetnus shot before traveling to Vietnam. Also, the Daughters of Chairty run a school on their property, so they took me to the nurses office there to stop the bleeding and bandange me up. But I digress, back to the children.
Even though the kids had smiles on their faces, and showed us how they play with each other, it was sad walking around knowing that these kids are forgotten about. For the young kids, they dont even know that they are living with the disease, and the older kids are very shy and timid because they are so used to being looked down upon.
It is amazing to think that there are well over 50 individuals living in this home and only 3 (yes 3) nuns take care of everyone. They cook, they clean, they watch out for the kids; they act as teachers and nurses, but most important they are seen as the motherly figure for these children. We had lunch at the HIV/AIDS home with 2 nuns, our translator, and our driver (very nice guy).
When we returned to the hotel we had just enough time to take a little rest and a shower and wait for Sister Kim to pick us up at our hotel. It took us about an hour during Vietnam rush hour to drive to her convent. This was the nicest convent I have ever been to (out of 2, 1 from Naples in Italy). Additions have been made in the most recent years to house the nearly 300 sisters living there! I can not explain the amount of hospitality Sister Kim and her fellow sisters showed us. We feasted like kings (and Queens for Doc Sama and Alina). I knew dinner was going to be good when one of the sisters cracked open a Heineken for me and poured it into my glass! (Be jealous). Dinner consisted of pasta, fried chicken and french fries, fish soup, broccoli, spring rolls, fried rice, and salad. The sisters reminded me so much of my grandmother, because even though I had more than enough to eat, without asking they would put more food on my plate and tell me that I wasnt finished (how thoughtful of them!). After dinner we had a chance to tour a small part of the convent. We werent able to see the whole area because of the massive amount of rain that appeared out of no where. This was the first time it has rained since we have been there, I guess weather.com has been lying to me since I have checked everyday since March and it showed rain every day.
The most important part about our dinner with the Lovers of the Holy Cross was to introduce our program, GLOBE, to them. We explained to them our operations and that we are hoping to help some borrowers in Vietnam! The sisters seemed very interested, with some concerns of course. They were concerned with what would happen if a borrower could not pay back their loan. We made them understand that the sisters are in no way held responsbile. We also told them that the nature of our program is to help. We could issue the borrower a smaller loan, or extend their repayment period. There was a sigh of relief by the sisters when they understood this.
It is easy to forget that we are not here on vacation, but more importantly on business. We are here to spread the word about GLOBe and try and find borrowers. It was very reasurring that the sisters were so interested. We have noticed that GLOBE will be able to help greatly. Hopefully we can try to explain to the sisters more about our program and the microfinance industry so that they feel comfortable. I think we will definitely be able to open relations with them.
Until next time friends.
Marco
P.S. Many people believe that on May 21, 2011 the world was going to "end". Well, take it from me as I post this blog in the afternoon of May 21, I am safe, and alive!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Happy Birthday Ho Chi Minh !!
Today was Ho Chi Minh's 121st Birthday. When I first heard about this holiday, I thought what great timing, we will get to share in the experience of a Vietnamese holiday. However, such was not the case as no one seemed to bring it up or do anything special. In fact it was more like a "did you know" kind of thing. However today was special to me for so many other reasons ....
Today we were picked up by Hao, a delightful woman who works with Nike. We drove to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh ... it took us about an hour and thirty minutes. There was a lot of greenery which was surprising. We arrived in Cu Chi to meet with the womens union. They help distribute loans to women in the city. They talked a little bit about their responsibilities. They have a lot on their plate yet they didn't seem to mind, because after all they were aiding in the alleviation of poverty. Although they currently vet more loans than we do ... and do it with eight employees ... they seem to be really interested in our micro loan program and what our experiences were. As we talked more and more it seemed as though experiences were similar. For example they have had instances where a borrower was approved but never claimed the loan money. GLOBE shares in this experience. Right after out meeting we went to the house of one of the borrowers. There seems to follow the Grameen model, where the borrowers are in groups within their communities. The borrower we met made 1000 rice paper for about three dollars a day. She even let us try to make it. While attempting to make the rice paper in the scorching heat, I realized just how difficult the working conditions were for this woman. Yet she never broke a sweat and a smile never escaped her face ... even though we sufficiently slowed down her production and probably wasted some materials on some poorly made and sometimes horrendous looking rice paper. Apparently our attempt at making rice paper was amusing especially to the children, who came out to see what was going on. It was difficult to walk away from seeing her work conditions into an air conditioned car. As I was walking away I kept wishing I had something to give these kids. I quickly remembered that I had a pack of Juicy Fruit in my bag. I gave the gum to the children who were so excited. The smiles on their faces made my day. Who knew ... Juicy Fruit could make such a difference.
It was such an eventful day especially since we did so much walking and saw a lot of the area near our hotel.It is funny how an hour away theres a world with dirt roads and kids walking without shoes and near us there are Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, etc. stores. Really puts things into perspective. We also received some reassurance from the Womens Union, who shared with us that 6000 plus borrowers from their program have risen out of poverty. It's a pretty staggering statistic for an organization that has only existed since 1998 and has given out loans since then in the amount of 840,000 Dollars. That's a lot less than I could have imagined.
So it really just goes to show that it doesn't take a lot to do a little. Sometimes it can even be a pack of gum.
Today we were picked up by Hao, a delightful woman who works with Nike. We drove to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh ... it took us about an hour and thirty minutes. There was a lot of greenery which was surprising. We arrived in Cu Chi to meet with the womens union. They help distribute loans to women in the city. They talked a little bit about their responsibilities. They have a lot on their plate yet they didn't seem to mind, because after all they were aiding in the alleviation of poverty. Although they currently vet more loans than we do ... and do it with eight employees ... they seem to be really interested in our micro loan program and what our experiences were. As we talked more and more it seemed as though experiences were similar. For example they have had instances where a borrower was approved but never claimed the loan money. GLOBE shares in this experience. Right after out meeting we went to the house of one of the borrowers. There seems to follow the Grameen model, where the borrowers are in groups within their communities. The borrower we met made 1000 rice paper for about three dollars a day. She even let us try to make it. While attempting to make the rice paper in the scorching heat, I realized just how difficult the working conditions were for this woman. Yet she never broke a sweat and a smile never escaped her face ... even though we sufficiently slowed down her production and probably wasted some materials on some poorly made and sometimes horrendous looking rice paper. Apparently our attempt at making rice paper was amusing especially to the children, who came out to see what was going on. It was difficult to walk away from seeing her work conditions into an air conditioned car. As I was walking away I kept wishing I had something to give these kids. I quickly remembered that I had a pack of Juicy Fruit in my bag. I gave the gum to the children who were so excited. The smiles on their faces made my day. Who knew ... Juicy Fruit could make such a difference.
It was such an eventful day especially since we did so much walking and saw a lot of the area near our hotel.It is funny how an hour away theres a world with dirt roads and kids walking without shoes and near us there are Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, etc. stores. Really puts things into perspective. We also received some reassurance from the Womens Union, who shared with us that 6000 plus borrowers from their program have risen out of poverty. It's a pretty staggering statistic for an organization that has only existed since 1998 and has given out loans since then in the amount of 840,000 Dollars. That's a lot less than I could have imagined.
So it really just goes to show that it doesn't take a lot to do a little. Sometimes it can even be a pack of gum.
Goooooooooood Morning, Vietnam.
We finally made it to Vietnam! After nearly a day of traveling, we touched down in an uncharacteristically cool Ho Chi Minh City. We were lucky to have a contact named Alan, a former employee of SJU and a Vietnam Vet pick us up at the airport. I still could not believe that I was actually in Vietnam. All the way on the other side of the world, a totally new country; it is amazing.
One of the challenges we faced early on, and this may seem funny, is crossing the streets. When you have hundred of motorbikes (Vespa's) some cars, the occasional bus and bicycle riders barreling down the street with no stop signs or stop lights, it makes you take a step back onto the sidewalk and think if you really need to cross the street or not. You would think that after the first few trips across the street you would get the hang of it; but no. Every time we cross a street is a big challenge that takes a minute or so in preparation. I've started to get somewhat comfortable with it, kind of just taking one quick glance and going, weaving my way in and out of motorbikes (a very literal statement at that), but i must stand behind and make sure Dr. Sama and Alina make it across too.
When I woke up this morning for our first full day here I couldn't help but think of Robin Williams next to me yelling, "GOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAMMMMMMM." The jet lag took its toll and I was wide awake at 6 in the morning with only 4 hours of sleep. The first day was a good one though. We went to Cu Chi, which was about an hour and a half drive north of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. A representative from Nike picked us up at our hotel and took us to the Women's Union in Cu Chi, where they have a microloan program. It was amazing to hear the stories that the leader of the Women's Union had to share. A lot of the aspects of her microloan program are related to the practices of GLOBE at SJU. An amazing statistic was that since the program began in 1998, the Women's Union was able to lift 6,000 individuals out of poverty. An even more amazing statistic is that these 6,000 individuals come from the 10,000 borrowers the Women's Union has had since 1998.
After our little meeting, we were able to go and visit a borrower of the Women's Union at her home. We were able to see this lady's operations for making rice paper. In a small hut 3 feet by 6 feet in size, this one lady made 10,000 rice papers per day. DAY. It was all very amazing to just watch this lady do her job, but I was caught by surprise when the lady got up from her station and handed me the instruments she uses to make the paper. Our translator told me that I was to give making rice paper a try. I was nervous, excited and anxious. (I would add a picture of me making rice paper, but lovely Vietnam is not accepting my laptop charger in any of the outlets, so you're going to have to wait until i return to the states) It was such an amazing experience making rice paper. Making rice paper for 3 minutes showed me how hard of a worker this lady is, and to think she is only making $3 per day doing it.
I learned a lot on this very first day in Vietnam. Most importantly how hard of workers people are here. From morning until night, these people are working at 110%. They are never slacking and never taking breaks.
Until next time,
Marco
One of the challenges we faced early on, and this may seem funny, is crossing the streets. When you have hundred of motorbikes (Vespa's) some cars, the occasional bus and bicycle riders barreling down the street with no stop signs or stop lights, it makes you take a step back onto the sidewalk and think if you really need to cross the street or not. You would think that after the first few trips across the street you would get the hang of it; but no. Every time we cross a street is a big challenge that takes a minute or so in preparation. I've started to get somewhat comfortable with it, kind of just taking one quick glance and going, weaving my way in and out of motorbikes (a very literal statement at that), but i must stand behind and make sure Dr. Sama and Alina make it across too.
When I woke up this morning for our first full day here I couldn't help but think of Robin Williams next to me yelling, "GOOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAMMMMMMM." The jet lag took its toll and I was wide awake at 6 in the morning with only 4 hours of sleep. The first day was a good one though. We went to Cu Chi, which was about an hour and a half drive north of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. A representative from Nike picked us up at our hotel and took us to the Women's Union in Cu Chi, where they have a microloan program. It was amazing to hear the stories that the leader of the Women's Union had to share. A lot of the aspects of her microloan program are related to the practices of GLOBE at SJU. An amazing statistic was that since the program began in 1998, the Women's Union was able to lift 6,000 individuals out of poverty. An even more amazing statistic is that these 6,000 individuals come from the 10,000 borrowers the Women's Union has had since 1998.
After our little meeting, we were able to go and visit a borrower of the Women's Union at her home. We were able to see this lady's operations for making rice paper. In a small hut 3 feet by 6 feet in size, this one lady made 10,000 rice papers per day. DAY. It was all very amazing to just watch this lady do her job, but I was caught by surprise when the lady got up from her station and handed me the instruments she uses to make the paper. Our translator told me that I was to give making rice paper a try. I was nervous, excited and anxious. (I would add a picture of me making rice paper, but lovely Vietnam is not accepting my laptop charger in any of the outlets, so you're going to have to wait until i return to the states) It was such an amazing experience making rice paper. Making rice paper for 3 minutes showed me how hard of a worker this lady is, and to think she is only making $3 per day doing it.
I learned a lot on this very first day in Vietnam. Most importantly how hard of workers people are here. From morning until night, these people are working at 110%. They are never slacking and never taking breaks.
Until next time,
Marco
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Lucky
So we finally made it to Vietnam. It was a really long flight, followed by a short stopover in Hong Kong, and then another much much much shorter flight(Thank God).
I was so exhausted by the end of these two flights that I wasn't even feeling like myself by the time we got to Vietnam. That all changed very quickly when we were greeted so generously by the Nuns from the Holy Cross,Alan Zweifler, and his wife Spring. It was a very warm welcoming ... one which I wasn't expecting.
The Nuns were so sweet and although they knew they wouldn't be able to take us to our hotel with Alan and Spring, they still came down to the airport.I look forward to talking with them some more over dinner on Friday.
Vietnam is breathtaking. Alan and his wife were kind enough to help us get to the hotel and then took us out to eat some real Vietnamese food. Alan takes every opportunity he can to remind us that he is so lucky to have a wife like Spring. However, it is us who are so lucky to have them both showing us the ropes in Vietnam.I was especially surprised to learn that Spring is an entrepreneur. I was also shocked to learn that much of Vietnam earns about a dollar a day. It's a lot to take in with all this jet lag, but I can already see a home for GLOBE in Vietnam.
Tomorrow we are going to meet with Nike and Cu Chi Women Union and some borrowers. I think this will be an insightful look into micro finance in Vietnam.
Till Tomorrow ......
- Alina R. =]
By The Way go to the link to get some background on Alan (he is truly amazing): http://testwww.stjohns.edu/about/news/items/pr_uni_091110.news_item@digest.stjohns.edu/about_us/pr_uni_091110.xml
I was so exhausted by the end of these two flights that I wasn't even feeling like myself by the time we got to Vietnam. That all changed very quickly when we were greeted so generously by the Nuns from the Holy Cross,Alan Zweifler, and his wife Spring. It was a very warm welcoming ... one which I wasn't expecting.
The Nuns were so sweet and although they knew they wouldn't be able to take us to our hotel with Alan and Spring, they still came down to the airport.I look forward to talking with them some more over dinner on Friday.
Vietnam is breathtaking. Alan and his wife were kind enough to help us get to the hotel and then took us out to eat some real Vietnamese food. Alan takes every opportunity he can to remind us that he is so lucky to have a wife like Spring. However, it is us who are so lucky to have them both showing us the ropes in Vietnam.I was especially surprised to learn that Spring is an entrepreneur. I was also shocked to learn that much of Vietnam earns about a dollar a day. It's a lot to take in with all this jet lag, but I can already see a home for GLOBE in Vietnam.
Tomorrow we are going to meet with Nike and Cu Chi Women Union and some borrowers. I think this will be an insightful look into micro finance in Vietnam.
Till Tomorrow ......
- Alina R. =]
By The Way go to the link to get some background on Alan (he is truly amazing): http://testwww.stjohns.edu/about/news/items/pr_uni_091110.news_item@digest.stjohns.edu/about_us/pr_uni_091110.xml
Monday, May 16, 2011
Wait! I'm going where ?!!
This is it! Tomorrow i'm headed off to Vietnam with two wonderful people.
Anyone who knows me knows that I break things down to every last detail ... it's just who I am. So when I found out I was selected as a student fellow for GLOBE, by my peers nonetheless, my precise words were "Wait! I'm going where ?!!" ... followed by some tears ... some worrying thoughts about where my passport was ... and believe it or not some more crying.
From that day it's been an emotional roller coaster .... I'll spare you the details, but I will say that I am so excited for this journey to begin !
Dr. Sama has worked nonstop to make sure that we see Vietnam for what it really is. From the appointments that have been made with so many wonderful organizations and so many wonderful people I imagine Vietnam to be a place of great generosity. I just can't imagine it be anything less.
So to reiterate what Marco said .... please share in this journey with us. I promise to keep my blog posts exciting and I too will post plenty of pictures. So I'll write to you all very soon! =]
Anyone who knows me knows that I break things down to every last detail ... it's just who I am. So when I found out I was selected as a student fellow for GLOBE, by my peers nonetheless, my precise words were "Wait! I'm going where ?!!" ... followed by some tears ... some worrying thoughts about where my passport was ... and believe it or not some more crying.
From that day it's been an emotional roller coaster .... I'll spare you the details, but I will say that I am so excited for this journey to begin !
Dr. Sama has worked nonstop to make sure that we see Vietnam for what it really is. From the appointments that have been made with so many wonderful organizations and so many wonderful people I imagine Vietnam to be a place of great generosity. I just can't imagine it be anything less.
So to reiterate what Marco said .... please share in this journey with us. I promise to keep my blog posts exciting and I too will post plenty of pictures. So I'll write to you all very soon! =]
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Fortunate Son
If you haven't seen the movie Forrest Gump, I would like you to take the time to go watch it. For those of you who have seen it, I want you to remember the scene when Gump is flying in the helicopter, about to land in Vietnam. The song that is playing is Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival. My friends play this song every time I see them, and it gives me the goosebumps. Knowing that in 2 short days, myself, Dr. Sama, and Alina will be boarding a plane leaving for Vietnam leaves me speechless.
I have not had a chance to think about this trip in much detail, for I have spent the last few weeks preparing for graduation. What an amazing month May 2011 will be. When I look back as I grow older, I will remember being the first person in my family to graduate from University (with honors I must add!) as well as the trip to Vietnam to spread the word about GLOBE. I am so grateful for being 1 of the 2 selected Fellows. I know that I will give it my all to show people on the other side of the world how great of a program we have here at St. John's.
I ask all of you to keep an eye out for blog updates. Please, live vicariously through the 3 of us for the upcoming 2 weeks. I have plans to upload pictures along the way, so keep checking!
-Marco
Saturday, May 14, 2011
To Vietnam with Love
As I browse my travelogue with the same title as this posting, I think how appropriate a title this is for the place we are about to visit. We have been the beneficiaries of so much kindness at the hands of virtual strangers in preparation for this trip to Vietnam, that indeed it is with love that we anticipate this journey. We have an exciting time ahead of us, and I know that every memory will be one to cherish. As a country that is poised to take its place in the global marketplace, Vietnam, and the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) that will serve as our home base for the next two weeks, promises to be full of energy and hope. Yet, as with any emerging economy, we expect that there will be those left behind, who may benefit from a GLOBE microloan to help themselves and their families out of poverty. We are so eager to meet the Daughters of Charity and others involved in microfinance and poverty alleviation programs, so we can think about how to best tailor our services to meet salient needs. I cannot wait to drink in the culture and to learn as much as possible. I am blesssed to be accompanied on this journey by two bright, fun, and engaged GLOBE managers, who will make this trip even more delightful! On our way in only three days!!!
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