Blankets for babies- Emergency Relief for Vietnamese Orphans

Vietnam has been on my mind and in my heart lately. Severe weather in northern Vietnam has caused illness in many children from orphanages. It saddens me deeply and hits so close to home. Please read this report from Ethica (This is a respected organization that advocates for ethical adoption practices):
http://www.ethicanet.org/item.php?recordid=blankets&pagestyle=default



Blankets for Babies—Emergency Relief for Vietnamese Orphans

Ethica, Inc. has received troubling reports of severe, cold weather in northern Vietnam that has taken a toll on orphanages in Hanoi, Bac Giang, Hay Tay, and Bac Ninh provinces. We understand 3 children have died in the past week and 10 more have been hospitalized. In the past two months, 9 of 19 infected infants have died.
Government officials at the National Fund for Vietnamese Children are concerned that many more children will be vulnerable to a virulent form of rhinovirus that has in some cases, progressed to pneumonia. This can be fatal for institutionalized infants and children already vulnerable to illness. The officials have met and given Ethica's representative in Hanoi permission to secure and deliver much needed blankets, heaters, warm clothing, and formula on March 7th and 8th. We estimate that $9,350 USD will be needed for this emergency relief fund which will assist 469 children under 16 years old and 152 babies from 1-7 months old.


I will always wonder what it was like for Frances as she grew from infancy to toddler hood without us or her first family. It breaks my heart that she has suffered. When we were in Vietnam we learned that Frances had pneumonia and was taken to the hospital. We even have an xray of her tiny chest. It has not occurred to me until now how close we came to not having her in our lives. I can’t even fathom it. After all we went through, all that time spent waiting, worrying , wishing, holding our breaths.

Please check out Ethica and donate. Please pray or send your thoughts to the children in Vietnam and to the families waiting to bring them home. I know they are waiting, worrying, wishing and holding their breaths.

Now I am on my way to Ethica…once I figure out my paypal password.