Community Music Program for Vietnamese Youth

Dear Friends,

I hope that you are all doing well on these sometimes hot, sometimes cool September days. I wanted to give you a quick update on the music program that you have helped fund and the difference it is making in Vietnamese kid’s lives! Thank you again.

During the month of July, we invited a videographer to travel with us to Vietnam along with our summer volunteer group, to work on creating some short films about our kids and programs.  Although the films won’t be ready to view for a few months, I wanted to share one of the translations of an interview that we conducted over the summer. We not only interviewed some of our students for the films, but also their parents. 

Three years ago we selected two young brothers to be in our program, Thien, who plays the cello, and his younger brother Chi, who plays the violin. This year we were happy to have their youngest brother Linh, start on the cello as well. This family is a wonderful, hardworking family. They live in a tiny house with very little  and both the parents work very hard to support their three boys. I wanted to share with you the interview that we conducted with the boy's parents so that you as donors can better understand the difference that you are making, and have made, in the lives of these kids and their families.

Parent Interview:

“Our kids have become friendlier with others and more hardworking ever since they joined the music class.  After class they often help us with the house chores; then they practice the violin (and cellos). Apart from that, they go to work to help make supplementary income for the family. Although Thien has to work, he manages to take some time off to go to the music class. On the days the class is held he is always afraid of being late for it and is always rushing between class and work. My kids are also so excited about the class. It has been so great ever since they joined the program; they have become more hardworking, confident and friendly.

Thien has kept helping us with our work and his brothers with their homework since he joined the program. His little brothers keep talking about the violin teachers. The teachers are so dedicated; they do their best to help the kids learn better. We are so moved because there is such a wonderful class that is free of charge, we are so happy. No matter how difficult our situation is, we try our best to help them follow the class so they can grow their love for each other. Every time we see the kids play the violin and cello, especially when Thien helps his brothers, and they have fun with each other, we are so glad and proud of them. We want to say thank you to the program for giving our children this opportunity.

We find this program very helpful because it teaches our children a lot about music so they can be more confident. When there are guests at the house, they often play the songs they learned at the music class. It is the joy and pride of the family when the kids can play music. We will not let any difficulties keep us from sending them to class.  Not many kids out there have such an opportunity.  Who knows, in the future they might get much better and have a chance to go abroad.  It’s our dream…We wish when they master the instrument, they could go to different countries to help others like the volunteers in Ms. Sara’s group.”

~~I hope that in reading this you are smiling-and recognizing like me, how something as simple as a music class can help to change the lives of kids and families.

To all of you receiving this project report, thank you again for your donation and support.

Best Wishes,

Sara

PS-Please email me at sara@rockpaperscissorschildrensfund.org if you would like to learn more about volunteering, or helping us in any way. Thank you.

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