Community Music Program for Vietnamese Youth

Dear Friends,

We wanted to share a quick update on our Music Program in Vietnam, and because you have supported us over the years, you are receiving this update. We hope that you and your family’s are doing well and staying healthy. The crazy thing is that the world has almost been through two years of living through this devastating pandemic, and it’s still not over.

Since our last update in June, so much has happened in Vietnam. The delta variant started to take hold there, and because Vietnam had been doing so well throughout 2020 keeping the numbers of cases low, vaccinations were not a priority. Now the country is in trouble and since the beginning of August most of the country has been in lockdown, including the areas where we work.

After our music and art programs had been closed for the month of August, we received a grant from a small company that is helping to support us, and we were able to purchase tablets and cellular data cards for our students. In the middle of September the government schools opened with classes provided remotely only, and it was so lucky that were able to provide the tablets for the kids to be able to continue to learn at their schools as well. Without access to devices or internet, most poor families can’t afford to keep their children learning when they have to learn online.

The tablets have come in super handy for our music classes as well, our teachers are teaching our string students online and the kids are really happy to be staying connected with our teachers. For our art students, our staff delivered art supplies to each of their homes with assignments that they could then share online with our teachers and each other. We hope that all of the schools can open for in-person learning soon. It’s sounding like some schools may open in the middle of October. Still, the majority of the population in Vietnam is not vaccinated, so things are very tenuous and seem to change on a weekly basis.

Finally, in news from this side of the ocean from our Rock-Paper-Scissor’s family, my daughter’s and I were interviewed last week on the podcast called The Edge of Adventure. We had a great time telling our story to host Adam Asher. The podcast is wonderful, and follows NGOs from around the world and their work. Listen here to our episode and please share, we would love to help Adam’s show and support other non-profits through his podcast:

https://theedgeofadventure.com/2021/podcast-rockpaperscissors/

Thank you everyone for your continued love and support, and we hope to update you again soon!

Sara Nerone

Links:

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Dear Friends,

It is almost Fathers day. Fathers day is celebrated in many countries including Vietnam where family is very important. Similar to in the United States, Father's day is often celebrated with a homemade meal and gifts to show appreciation. With the holiday soon approaching, we would like to highlight one of the fathers in our program.

Earlier this month our program manager Giao interviewed An, her sister, and her father. An has been a member of Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund for many years participating in our music program. An smiles when she talks about her father saying that her father’s support helps her feel confident.

During the interview, An’s father is seated between her and her sister. Like many families in Vietnam, An’s father believes that education is very important for both of his daughters. With this in mind, An’s father works to support his daughter's education as much as possible and dreams that they will have opportunities and can fulfill their dreams. Throughout the interview, An’s sister, Vy, looks less than impressed wearing a feisty pout on her face. When their father begins talking about his support for his daughters, however, her face changes and lights up.

In Vietnam, many working families prioritize their sons over their daughters, their sons being able to participate in much of the labor that helps families bring in an income. Daughters on the other hand are generally responsible for housekeeping and watching their younger siblings. Despite this, An’s father is very proud and loving of his daughters. He even states that parents should not discriminate between sons and daughters. This makes Vy smile and laugh. 

Parents play a vital role in the success of their children. A parent’s support can be the difference between continuing education and dropping out of school. With this in mind, Rock-Paper-Scissors would like to acknowledge all fathers, and especially those of students in our program, thanking them for their support. 

As An’s father would say, his main hope is for his daughters to be healthy and happy.

Please watch the video linked below:

https://youtu.be/CpTw3sFGMt0

Happy Fathers day! And thank you for supporting our music students like An!

Sophie

Links:

• Visit our website!
• Follow our Instagram!
• Like us on Facebook!