A successful day in the Mekong Delta

It was another 12 hour day, but boy it was great. Arrived around twelve-ish and had lunch with the chairman Ut, his boss and Jung, a representative of the military. At the last meeting
Ut had asked us if we could help building a bridge near one of the houses. Matt and Uli decided to give VND 5 million for construction material. Ut was delighted and announced the the bridge would be built immediately!!!

After dessert (nice sponge cake VN style) we went to the first house. It had been completed, just some minor things like doors were still missing. The people were overjoyed to finally have a new, solid house. Solid foundations, raised to make the house flood proof, solid brick walls, cement floor and solid fibro cement roof. All in all a top job, the electricity company was just installing the power lines ...

We sat down, Mekong Delta TV was there as well and followed us around to the other houses. Had a coco nut - nice cool water and chatted with the locals and chairman Ut who turned out to a bit of a funny character. In his speech he could not pronounce Matt and Uli so he said Uk and Duk - which means Australia and Germany. Over lunch we spoke about our heritage and that Matt was Uk and Uli - still a German citizen - was Duk. We all had a big laugh. We stayed over an hour.

Back to the bus on the Honda. Next house ... same same, but different. A picture of uncle Ho was always traveling with us and set up at each house as well as a banner ... This time Ut was able to pronounce our names. Again smiles all round and lots of people, the whole neighborhood had arrived. Lots of kid, Uli had a soft toy that Annette - a friend of the family - had knitted!!! Thanks Annette - they were well received. A difficult and unstable bridge was right in front of the house. We did not cross it last time. Well, it had been improved and was now relatively easy to cross. Drinks were taken ... back across the bridge, back on the Honda ... next house.

Same, same, but walking, only Ut used his Honda. Again, the old lady was very emotional when she saw us and thanked us even before the official ceremony had started. Ut did his spiel ... and after he finished Matt said that this was the same speech he had given at the last house. Uli and Hien laughed ... and then Hien translated ... and then everyone was laughing. It was so good to see those people with a smile on their face. After everything was said and the house warming presents handed over - and dropped ... by Uli - only a 10kg bag of rice - no damage done the old lady wanted to say a few words. She thanked us from the bottom of her heart, she had tears in her eyes and shook Uli's hand and then she hugged Uli. Very emotional. Off to the unfinished house # 4.

It was a short stay as it was really in the first construction phase. Half of the old house was still standing ... that's where the family stayed. Handed over the gifts, signed the paper work and Uli handed over the last knitted teddy. Shaking hands ... off we went the the chairman's office. Lot's of speeches, even I had to put my fife bob in.
Applause all round, chairman said he would like to see us many times in the future, he even offered Uli VN citizen ship - and Uli replied she wanted to have a house in the Mekong Delta too, and he agreed!!! It's all on video !!! During my speech the video man .. as they call him here ... ran out of tape ... so he asked me if I could say something again, and I did. Short and sharp - I thanked everyone for their commitment, particularly Ut, the chairman. I continued with saying that we while we are away, we have to think about something that wipes the smile off Ut's face, as he was constantly laughing or chuckling. When Hien translated everybody laughed out aloud - me included !!! They asked for it - they got it!!

All in all a wonderful day !!! Long drive home, most of it in the dark. Had a good driver and arrived in HCMC around 8:30.

We have to thank our friends Bob and Hien (Bob could not come today) and Que who helped us putting this all together. Without their help and support, this would not have been possible.

A big THANK YOU to you !!!


PS: All the presents we had for the four families were really well received.

Pictures will follow!!!