APA Youth Journey to Vietnam for 'A Day of Independence'
They raised money to donate 180 bicycles to needy children in rural areas of the Southeast Asian country. Now, they battle heat and fatigue to personally deliver each bicycle to its new owner.
This summer, 13-year-old Nicholas Do planned to spend his break from school hanging out with friends, not battling unbearable tropical heat in Vietnam helping less fortunate children gain a new sense of independence.
But for a week now, Nicholas has been getting up at the crack of dawn and traveling long distances to rural parts of the Southeast Asian country to give children shiny new bicycles. It's not the vacation of his dreams, but seeing eyes light up with joy has eased the pain a little.
"Looking at the faces of children when we give our help to them makes me feel better," wrote the teenager in an e-mail from Vietnam.
Organizers call it "A Day of Independence," in honor of the American holiday and the freedom gained from a low-tech set of wheels. In rural parts of Vietnam, children who live too far from major cities can't go to school without bicycles.
So while many other young Asian Pacific Americans hole up for the summer with their Wii consoles, Nicholas and a group of his peers from Virginia and the Washington, D.C-area journeyed to Vietnam to help the needy.
They left on June 20 and have spent most of their days personally giving out the bicycles - which they helped buy - and visiting orphanages until their return to the U.S. on July 5.
"Many of my friends were happy and jealous that I was going to Vietnam," said Michael Nguyen, 18. This is his last summer home before heading off to James Madison University, and he's happy to be doing something meaningful rather than just "chilling."
Besides, his friends at home are counting on him for favors.
"They were also happy because this meant that they could bug me to go buy them some $20 Nikes and $1 shirts."
Kids Helping Kids
For Michael's dad, this trip is more than a homecoming - it's a chance to show his American born children how lucky they are. In 1979, Dr. Phu Ngoc Nguyen fled war-torn Vietnam on a boat that was raided by pirates before it reached Indonesia.
"I'm lucky to be alive," said Phu, the trip leader and board member of Global Community Service Foundation, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit organization working to reduce poverty in Southeast Asia.
He still remembers his first glimpse of America from Dulles International Airport - the crush of human traffic and the feeling of having the world at his fingertips.
"In the end, I came to this country, and to be where I am right now, it's a happy ending."
In the last few years, he's been raising money to support orphanages in Vietnam. Now he wants his sons Michael and 15-year-old Jimmy to get involved in his humanitarian work.
The bicycle project idea, which started in February, turned into reality with the help of other parents who also wanted to share the same lessons with their kids.
"Everyone here wants the kids to appreciate what they have," said Phu, 45.
At first the young participants from about six families - ages ranging from seven to 20 - weren't too enthusiastic about the idea of fundraising for bikes to give away, but they soon changed their minds. They held car washes and stationed themselves at lemonade stands and bake sales beguiling customers with their innocent faces. They raised over $15,000.
This is the first time the local APA community has come together to help the home country they left behind so many years ago, said Phu.
"I knew this is a once in a lifetime chance and I knew I had to take advantage of it even if it meant spending my summer," said Justin Do, 15.
Checking in From Vietnam
After all their hard work, the group almost didn't make the trip. Days before their scheduled departure, their travel agent had run away with their money. Over 100 bicycles were waiting for them in Vietnam. They were also scheduled to donate houses to needy families, but they were stranded in the U.S.
"The kids were so upset," said Phu.
"I could not wait to go," said Michael, who graduated from high school two days before they were scheduled to leave. "I was jumpy and even hyper in my seat at graduation."
So what could they do? Phu and the other parents bought new airline tickets. "We couldn't disappoint them."
Since they arrived in Vietnam, the group has visited Hue, Dong Nai and other rural regions. It's been pretty rough, said Michael. Every morning, they wake up at 6 a.m. to make their donations until the heat threatens to wipe them out.
"All day you're in the 90-plus degree heat. Some of the younger ones get tired and cranky and it gets hard to [think]," said Michael.
Jimmy agreed, "I am sweating the whole time."
Michael is also nursing a swollen ankle, which he twisted days before he arrived in Vietnam.
"It's been a real pain trying to keep up with everyone."
Despite their discomfort, the group has been rewarded with smiles.
"They just look so cute," added Michael about the children.
This project has also offered a rare change of perspective for many of these young APAs.
"We are so lucky to have what we have," said Justin. "These kids are so happy to get a fraction of what we have. The sight of poverty puts life into perspective and shows how fortunate we in America are."
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