Friendly and familiar faces on a return to Vietnam

Stella Ciorra has a long-standing passion for Vietnam and was happy for the chance to give something back to the country she loves by becoming a Plan sponsor in 1996. Since then, Stella has sponsored four children from various regions of Vietnam and in January 2008, visited her sponsored child Bang for the fourth time. This is her story.

“First I met with the leaders of Bang’s community who greeted me like an old friend. I then visited a school that Plan had helped to build and equip. The children there treated me to some singing with individual and group performances which was lovely.

Then it was off to visit Bang and many familiar faces greeted me. It was lovely to be back! Dried cassava had been scattered on the ground outside Bang’s house. In the past it had been corn, and I realised this act was done in honour of my visit, and that they lay out food this way to welcome guests or bring luck to their animals.

We sat down to tea, fruit and cassava, chatted and caught up on our news. Fortunately, I can speak some Vietnamese which allowed me to chat a bit without the need of an interpreter. Lunch was, as always, fantastic and some of the best food that I eat in Vietnam. Simple but well cooked – with rice wine to finish it off.

Following the tradition of my other visits with Bang, I spied her neighbours and family members down the muddy driveway, waiting until our lunch was over. Right on cue, they made their way up to the house.

As always, Bang’s grandmother, bent at 90 degrees from a life of working in the fields, led the group. She raised her usual concerns - that I’m still not married or going out with a Vietnamese man! We all laughed.

Then it was present time. I always try to give items that will help the family and community, and give them some fun, but won’t cause jealousy amongst the community. This year, I brought Bang some clothes and pretty accessories for her hair. For her mum, it was foodstuffs and toiletries, as she has a long way to go to market and has no disposable income to get enough of even the basics.

As it was Christmas, I brought along a reindeer headband with flashing red lights and everyone took turns having their photo taken wearing it. I also brought bubbles, balloons, things that glow in the dark, and games that everyone could join in with. It was so lovely to see them all sitting round in a circle blowing bubbles and laughing as they opened the gifts.

After visiting Bang, I was taken to see the medical centre. It was my third visit to the centre and it was nice that some of the nursing staff remembered me. It was good to see how Plan supports the community and gives through their assistance and involvement.

I had a really great day and a wonderful visit.”