As of June 26, 2008, Blue Dragon has:

• Sent 872 kids back to school and training
• Provided accommodation to 71 girls and boys
• Served 50,898 meals
• Built or repaired 14 homes for families
• Distributed 2,168 litres of milk
• Handed out 10,570 kgs of rice
• Reunited 47 runaway children with their families
• Taken 173 kids to a doctor or hospital
• Put 4 teens through drug rehab
• Obtained legal registration papers for 110 children
• Rescued 33 trafficked children
• Placed 33 teens in jobs
• Played 514 games of soccer!

Prior to coming to Viet Nam, I did some research on what I wanted to do. One was teaching. The other was working with Blue Dragon. This past year, I got to do both.

Blue Dragon is a non-profit organization that works with disadvantaged children and their families. They provide services such as education, scholarships, food, accommodation, but most importantly, they provide a caring relationship for the children.

It’s somewhat ironic, actually. I first attempted to contact Blue Dragon before coming to Viet Nam in an attempt to seek a volunteer position. I never heard back from them. That’s fine. I figured they had more pressing issues to deal with.

When I contacted VIA to find out more about the program and different posts, Christine mentioned that one of the previous volunteers was working in Ha Noi and volunteering with Blue Dragon- now she works for Blue Dragon, full time. I eventually got to meet this person on arrival to Ha Noi, and we have been friends since. Now I volunteer at Blue Dragon once a week helping to translate documents. This summer, I will help to teach the kids how to swim.

The kids are amazing and the staff is wonderful. I wish I could give more to the organization, but I can’t. I am, however, thankful that I can give what little I am doing now. I hope to be in touch with this organization for a long time.

To find out more about the organization, please click on the website link below.

Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation