We have been back in Vietnam for one month after nearly two months in Australia. When we first arrived back in Melbourne in mid September, I underwent a TURP procedure. This was necessary for me to get my bladder to empty as the prostate swelling had caused the bladder to constantly remain nearly full and I was running the risk of kidney infections and damage. The procedure went very well compared to the first one I had 7 years ago. This time it was done using Green Light laser rather than the normal scrape and cut method.

In October we spent 3 weeks on deputation in Churches in Tasmania and then at the end of the month we met with GMP and NSW Church of Christ members at the AGM of GMP/COCOA in Sydney.

On our return to Vietnam on the 7^th of November, they had one day to rest before they went to Binh Phuoc with Colin Scott, the new Program Manager for COCOA. This was the first visit by Colin to Vietnam and the trip covered 3 days. On Tuesday evening over dinner we met with the Miss Thom, Vice Chairman of Tan Xuan Village, who requested that COCOA consider the donation of a house to a village family in need.

Wednesday morning was spent looking over the Mushroom Lab and the Clean Vegetable Lab at the Ethnic Minority High School in Dong Xoai Township. The new headmaster of the School requested that COCOA consider raising the funds needed to build a Community house that would be used as a museum of Ethnic Minority Culture.

Oyster mushrooms being grown at the Mushroom Lab

Sprouts growing at the Clean Vegetable Lab

Helping students practice English in their English language class at the School. Colin was asked to sing a song.

Two houses in Tan Phuoc Village that were handed over

The well at Tan Phuoc ‘B’ High School

Thursday morning was spent looking at houses and wells in Dong Tien and Dong Tam Villages.                                   

Again COCOA was requested to consider donating one or two houses to poor families in Don Tien Village.

Lan makes a re-acquaintance with a Dong Tien Village Elder who received a house in 2005

One of the first tanks in Dong Tien Village that COCOA donated in 2006

Thursday afternoon and evening was recreational, with a tour of Me Le Tea Plantation, around 20 Km from Dong Xoai Township. The Plantation is famous in Vietnam for its Oolong tea and cashew nuts.

Friday morning was spent visiting An Phu Village in Hon Quan District, the site of COCOA’s first project after our registration in 2004. 15 wells and later a 2 classroom school were donated to this Village. Due to the abnormal rainfall that Asia has been experiencing over the last couple of months (it is officially the dry season at the beginning of November), the roads into the village were virtually impassable and we could only manage to see one well and the School. The visit ended after lunch on Friday with our return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Well, tank and stand in An Phu Village, donated in 2005

An Phu Village Primary School

Binh Phuoc People’s Committee Charity

I have been invited to become an honoury member of the Binh Phuoc People’s Committee Charity.

On Monday 19^th December, we will attend a Ceremony in Binh Phuoc. The Director of the Charity is Mr Nguyen Thoa who was the former Vice Chairman of the Province when COCOA was first registered to work in Vietnam. Mr Thoa has been a long time friend and advisor to us as we have continued our programs in Binh Phuoc. The Charity runs programs in Binh Phuoc which support orphans as well as children suffering from HIV and cancer. It also actively supports poor families in the Province.