Picasso Village HCMC - Creating families

In Vietnam there are still so many victims of the war...and sadly most of these are children.  Children that are given up for whatever reason by their family (because they are poverty stricken), babies who are tragically wrapped in plastic bags and left at temples or in rubbish bins (some survive, some don't) and children with the physical deformities from the dioxin in Agent Orange.  

Its quite simply of epidemic proportions.

There are many different types of centres for the children.  There is Go Vap where Kelly and I work and it is one of the better ones. The staff are caring, the facilities are clean and the children are treated well.  There is also the other side.  Thankfully I have not experienced this first hand, but I acknowledge there are some terrible places out there and next time I visit I am prepared to confront this as I think it is important to know.

There are also some pretty special places in HCMC and Kelly and I were taken to one such place last week.  

This place is called Picasso Village.  Its a home environment that is created where there is no bloodline of family.  There are 24 homes and each home has a 'house mother' this mother is given the special role of raising 11 children as her own, a massive commitment of time, love and work, on top of this she must also commit to not marrying.

Picasso Village was set up by Pablo Picasso's grand daughter, a compassionate and benevolent woman  who wanted to create a special place for the children.  A home.  She wanted each child to have a family headed by a mother--a single Vietnamese woman chosen from the ranks of teachers--and a chance to make something of their lives.  

Its a place where children can stay until they  learn a trade and become independent adults.  If they study they can also stay until they have completed their courses.  Its really an amazing concept and something both Kelly and I wish was more prevalent.

With thanks to Son Michael from Kids without Borders and Misa (who grew up in Picasso Village), we were welcomed into the centre.

There are abundant trees, a swimming pool, sports equipment, sports field, kindergarten and more.  Its a stark contrast to the minimal that is usually provided to 'care' for children.Although its heartbreaking to think these children had to grow up in this village without the tenderness of a mother and father, I can't help but think this is the best place to be raised in HCMC.

So here are photos of our day with Misa and the lovely Spring (an intelligent and determined young man who has been there since age 4).  

Two worlds meet

The children's rooms

This house is lucky enough to have wifi and a TV

haircut day

The older boys in their unit.  They no longer have a 'mother' but a manager

Two worlds meet

Both Kelly and I were very taken by this young man.

Spring and I

Our delicious meal prepared by Misa's mum

A day at the beach

I am so far behind with blogging, so these are going to be full of photos and fewer words.  But I am sure you will FEEL the emotion and JOY from the day we all had.

It is not often the children get to head outside the confides of the orphanage so it is always a big deal and usually something pretty special.

This trip was an excursion to a beach near Mui Ne for some fun times frolicking in the (very dirty) ocean.

It was a long drive, a special drive as I got to finally visit Hien in her resting place.

Hien was very dear to me, a shining little beacon of love who passed away at just 10 years old.  She changed my life and taught me so much.

Hien my sweet girl

I had the privilege of holding this little boy while he experienced sand and the ocean for the first time in his little life

Then it was time to celebrate the recent birthdays.....and DANCE!

Time to explore fresh crabs that a local lady was selling on the beach

Brothers in arms

Exploring the outside world on the way home