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I first aided the Montagnards in the Central Highlands of Vietnam while serving there in 1970. A Special Forces medic in Kontum called our hospital in Pleiku with a request. The autoclave at the Dr Pat Smith hospital had broken. Could we help? I was on good terms with our supply person who immediately made available a NEW autoclave. My friend to be in Kontum almost couldn’t believe his ears but the hospital recieved the autoclave as well as other supplies while I was in Pleiku.
Dr Smith, a graduate of the University of Washington School of Medicine with the help of Catholic nuns, established and ran the hospital.
When it became too dangerous to remain in Kontum, Dr Smith returned to the US with the two Montagnard children she adopted and finished her medical career working for Group Health in the Seattle area.
Doctor Pat Smith with Montagnard patients at her hospital in Kontum, Vietnam 1970. Image shot 1970. Exact date unknown.
The hospital is no more but the nuns run a system of orphanages in the area. While a number of charities help these kids, I intend to use my decades of IT experience to provide training enabling those who are motivated to learn job skills.
Sept 2022. Four years after formation of the charity Touch A Star, with the help of some capable and inspired young people in Kontum Province, the training begins.
Kick off class.
The Moon Festival is an important event in Vietnam.
Instructors’ recognition. The Project Manager, Videographer, Academic Advisor, IT Developer, future Volunteer Recruiter/Manager and Marketing Consultant are not pictured. Great work folks. 🙂
Videos of some of the Vinh Son orphanages follow:
Children of Vinh Son Orphanage – YouTube Published on Jun 1, 2015
This video shows some of the pictures of the children of Vinh Son orphanages in Kontum, VN.
There are 6 orphanages in the Kontum province that house over 700 children, many of them are orphaned by at least one parent. Our Children of Vinh Son Orphanage organization along with some other organizations in the US and other countries have been helping them with essentials such as food, clothing, shelters, and education. The needs are endless so we hope we can count on you for your love and support. Please rest assured that 100% of your donation will go to the children. Donations can be made on line http://www.vinhsonorphanage.org and we provide tax receipts.
THANK YOU all for making their lives a little easier.! Enjoy the photos and videos. Children of Vinh Son Orphanage Thanh Le
These kids are amazing. There are over 200 ethnic minority children in this single orphanage but there is a lot of love in this place thanks to the tireless work of the sisters. Myself and some other vets often stop by and do what we can to help out. If you’re in the neighborhood stop by and treat them to an ice cream party or if you really wnat to help, email Jerry at fochvn.org (Jerry Harlowe shot the video and I edited)
Ving Son 2 shown below. Video by Samuel Huber