I had the privilege of visiting Children of Vietnam's (COV)programs on the ground this year. I saw first-hand the orphans who benefit form one of the tutoring programs. The orphanage director told me that grades had improved now that all 50 children at the orphanage participate in tutoring. I was also able to meet a teen-ager who is hoping that tutoring will help with her education. This young lady had just returned from a COV tutoring session when I arrived, and she hopes to use her writing talents to become a journalist. I left this visit with a better understanding of how COV provides direct aid to very vulnerable children.

Children of Vietnam is a small charity with a focused mission. This means it can move quickly and efficiently to address local needs. In 2007 my husband and I decided to build a kindergarten with COV. We donated the money in the summer, the site was selected by September, the kindergarten was built by December, children started school in January and we were able to visit in March. When we returned several years later the same teachers were there, the building was in good condition, and the children were engaged.