Reaching Out has been set up by a group of Volunteers who give their free time to co-ordinate and drive the project forward.
What started as a simple idea of travelling back to Việt Nam to ‘help out’ at an orphanage suddenly snowballed into big project.
One of the project’s founding members, Lê Thanh was himself a former war orphan and had recently return from a visit to Việt Nam last year. With a keen sense of wanting to return to Việt Nam again but do something more than ‘visit the country’, Lê Thanh decided he wanted to help those in Việt Nam less fortunate than himself.
Striking a chord with some of his friends and colleagues, the enthusiasm and passion were equally matched in both Rebecca McGrane and Sarah Wright… Both of whom were eager to do whatever they could to help disadvantaged children and those in desperate need.
So in September 2010, the three embarked on a project that would not only raised money and aid for the orphans living in Việt Nam, but also raise awareness of their children and their country as it is still a country misrepresented as a place bathed in war.
As the project progressed more volunteers have joined the team, helping to organise the work, events and fundraising as well as promoting awareness. The Reaching Out Team consists of Rebecca McGrane, Sarah Wright, Mark Brightman, Carla Ponsford, Matt Carter, Karen Phillips, Susan Hector and Lê Thanh.
All Reaching Out project members offer their time and effort purely on a voluntary basis, helping the project to reach its goals. The group of volunteers who will be travelling out to Việt Nam next December will be financing their own trip while they work at the orphanages in Ha Nội, Nha Trang and Sài Gòn. This means that all the money raised through Reaching Out can be maximised to help support the orphans we wish to help.
Discover more about our team by visiting out official site at http://reaching out.projectreturnii.com and follow the link for ‘Team’.
Join our FaceBook group to receive updates on all project activities at
http://www.facebook.com/groups/102940753120996/?ap=1
I saw your news item on the BBC Wales news programme and was very moved by your story and continuing endeavours.
I am the daughter of an American Vietnam veteran.
My father (long since gone) was a helicopter pilot in the war who happened, before 2nd tour of duty, to have met and married my mother, a welsh girl from Pontypool!
I was born in 1973 and remember the significant fallout of a soldier (first) and father (second) returning home on R and R – we were based in North Carolina, USA then later Germany.
Anyway I think I may be in the minority being a welsh girl (although holding a US passport) who has lived in Wales most of her life, who’s father is/was an American Vietnam veteran, who’s mum is a welsh woman.
I now live in Cardiff am married to a welsh speaking man and have a welsh speaking son.
I still have a lot of family in the states and the war is the unspoken history of which best left untouched!
Anyhow I’m sorry to ramble on but I am interested in hearing more about your project.
Best wishes
Kristen Harries