Hello everyone,
 I have so much to report this month, that I'm unsure I can fit it all into one newsletter. So, lets get started.
The Library Project. Yes, we have been busy. We have three libraries planned in and around Saigon, Vietnam. Each location is completely different from each other.
The first location is a Countryside HIV/AIDS Clinic located just outside of Saigon. The clinic is in a very traditional Vietnamese structure, home to 14 homeless young men and women living with HIV/AIDS. All of the patients are cared for by the amazing Dr. Phan and some even receive progressive ARV treatment. Medical care is of the utmost importance, however, we would like to provide enjoyment and entertainment for these amazing young men and women through reading and learning. This library will be small with only 75 books total. We will also provide a bookshelf that will protect the books from the countryside’s changing weather patterns. This library is very cheap, and will only cost $150.
The second location is also found just outside of Saigon. St. Joseph's Charity School is an elementary school for very poor children. Each child in Vietnam gets an ID Card when they are born, but, for many reasons some never receive one. The lack of ID ostracizes these children from society making it all but impossible to receive an education. The library will serve children who either don't have an ID Card to gain entry into public school, or simply can't afford public school. This library will be rather large in size, and will only cost $300.
The third library is right smack dab in the middle of Saigon, motorbikes, car horns and urban smells everywhere. District 4, where the 71 Ton Dan Elementary School is located is in the heart of one of the poorest Districts of Saigon. Over 550 students from Grade 1 to Grade 5 come everyday. The Principle, Mrs. Xin Chieu, is very eager to be the first Public School in Saigon to benefit from books through The Library Project. This project will provide one small library in each classroom, and will cost only $300.
I am very proud and excited to have the opportunity to help improve these three new locations. A very special thank you goes out to Judith Orr from The Hope Foundation for getting us in contact with the above locations.
The next major announcement I have is in regard to the Nomadic Marketing Board of Directors. I am very proud to welcome Scott Glassmeyer to our Board of Directors. I met Scott four years ago when I first moved to Asia. Since then he has been indispensable in lending a hand with fundraising, business advice, and moral support. Welcome Scott!
Lastly, but certainly not least, a big thank you goes out to Ryan Holliday from Colorganics; Robyn Maresca; Isaac Epp; Philip and Reegan Mercurio; David Buck; Alice Stader; Lonnie Hodge from OneManBandwidth; and Michael Anderson and Thaneeya Pientong from Volunthai for their generous financial donations to The Library Project. Thank you!
OK, one more thing! We have put together a short online presentation introducing The Library Project to people. This is the same presentation I use to show to volunteers, schools, partners, and donors. Please take three minutes and click through it. There are some great images of China, our volunteers, and cute kids. Click here to access it. I hope you enjoy it!
Your help is greatly appreciated. Click here to place a small financial donation.
A donation of less than .50 cents per day can help provide a safe and accessible place for these children to learn and grow. Together, your financial donation and the generosity of local book drives can help reach this important goal for the future of Asia’s children.
Nomadic Marketing is a non-profit organization therefore your donation is 100% tax deductible.
Thank you in advance for your kind support of our efforts.
Sincerely,
Thomas Stader
The Library Project
Project Leader |
