Team XII, 1998 Quang Tri

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Team XII was comprised of 4 American veterans and arrived in Hanoi on September 8, 1998. On our first full day in Hanoi we met with the representative for our sponsor, the Deputy Director of the International Relations Department under the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs. Afterwards, the team members visited the War Museum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

On the second day we met with the Director for the Department of Labour of Quang Tri Province to discuss the details of our project. We were happy to learn that our funding would support construction of 5 new homes for disabled Vietnamese veterans - we anticipated building only 2 homes. In the latter part of the day the Team was welcomed by representatives from the Ministry of Labour and the Director of the Treatment Center for War Blind in Hanoi and re-visited 3 homes that the VVRP funded for blind veterans 1996.

On our third day we boarded a train for an 18-hour ride to Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province. In Dong Ha, representatives from Quang Tri's Department of Labour, the Foreign Relations Department, and the Veterans Association welcomed us. We were presented with construction drawings, a Memorandum of Understanding, and an itinerary for our work schedule. Our delegation agreed with and accepted the documents and presented them with our funding contribution.

During the following two days we made preliminary visits to the current homes of the five veterans who would benefit from our cooperation. Each of the new homes would be built in a different district (Cam Lo, Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Hai Lang, and Dong Ha Town). Each would replace an existing home which consisted of a dirt floor, bamboo and mud walls, and a grass thatched roof. Each of the veterans was clearly disabled. During the following five days we participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for each of the five homes and helped with the initial work for the footings. The homes will be completed within 60 days.

Dong Ha Market

Highway 1 through Dong Ha

Dong Ha Market

Vietnamese custom demanded that the veterans and their families receiving our help provide a ceremonial meal for all the key individuals facilitating the project. Consequently, each groundbreaking ceremony was followed by a little work and then a lavish meal at the commune level with leaders from the local People's Committee, representatives from the Provincial and District Departments of Labour, and members of the local Veterans Association. At the end of our stay in Dong Ha we were invited to yet another dinner - this time given by one of the vice-chairmen for Quang Tri's Provincial People's Committee. It was a great experience - we were welcomed as friends and honored for our sincere interest and contribution to their communities.

After 10 days in Quang Tri the Team headed south to Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Click here for pictures of the projects in Quang Tri Province.