Somewhere in the North of Saigon...                                                                               [Main]
We are heading South to finish the last leg of the trip. Just exactly a week ago, we were getting on the plane from Honolulu to Viet Nam. Time flies so fast when we do not think about it. The morning after we arrived, we were constantly on the move. One day in Cu Chi, 2 days in the Mekong and 2 days in the South China Sea, our group moves effortlessly like a well-oiled machine. It has been such an educational and eye opening experience for our Punahou students.

Just before I sign off, I’d like to thank some people who are making this trip possible. First, many thanks to parents who are putting a lot of trust in Deborah and me. Second, thank you Dr Scott for the support. Third, I like to thank my colleague Deborah Aarhus. I am so glad to have you on this journey. I definitely positively can not do it without your help. Fourth, Aaron Dengler for helping us with the web site. Everyone loves to check this web site. .Fifth, I’d like to thank my students (Lauren, Heather, Debra, Jane, Andrew, Peter, Arlen, Stacy, Ryan, Kendra, and Brandon). You guys and girls are just a fantastic group of students. I could not have asked for a better group of students than you. I truly enjoyed the days that I have spent with you. Last but not least, my wife Mimi and Miranda for giving me the thumbs up when I was thinking about this trip 6 months ago.

Tomorrow when I am on the plane heading back to Hawaii, I will be so happy thinking about this piece of memories for the rest of my life.   Chao`

Vinh Dang                                                                                                                                     [Main]

---

Every trip has its moments, and our trip to Vietnam has been filled with an immeasurable share of them. The memories I take home are of an amazing group of 13 people, all with the desire to make a difference in the lives of those around them, the ability to turn long journeys into laughable moments, and the uncanny ability to make a child smile, no matter how hopeless they may appear. I feel truly blessed to have met and traveled with such a great group of students. I will never forget (in no particular order):
1) Heather’s 64 minute phone calls and dress fittings
2) Debra’s vegetarian choices and stories about her family
3) Kendra’s amazing supply of hand sanitizers and wonderful listening skills
4) Andrew’s easy-going attitude and prowess at airplane bingo
5) Ryan’s secret gun-shooting ability and need to find out “what love is”
6) Jane’s capacity for making friends, both at orphanages and on Ferry rides along the Mekong
7) Arlen’s attraction to motorcycles and upbeat car games
8) Peter’s experiences in ”Nam” and skill for finding humor in any situation.
9) Stacy’s ability to get comfortable anywhere, floatation devices not withstanding
10) Lauren’s zest for learning Vietnamese (Who else could translate an entire menu in seconds?)
11) Brandon’s bargaining skills and LV acquisitions
12) Vinh’s incredible patience and concern for all of our needs. I don’t know many people who can order food for 13 people, arrange transport, bargain at will (all in another language), and still have enough energy to make each moment count. I am truly thankful for Vinh’s leadership and very big heart. His stories of escaping Saigon, in the dark of the night, have left me with a new appreciation for what he has gone through in his life. He is truly one in a million and is a walking example of how we can make the most out of what life has to offer. We would all be lost without his remarkable gifts.
13) Lastly, long journeys, orphanage visits, B-movies and “Let’s Play Pho”, sledding on red sand slopes, memorable songs, and crazy quotes
Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and relatives who helped make this trip possible for our Punahou students. I’d also like to thank Carole Iacovelli, Hope Staab, and Kevin Conway for seeing this trip through to completion, you have made a difference in the lives of countless orphans, Vietnamese nationals and 11 phenomenal Punahou students.

Chao & Easter Blessings,
Deborah Aarhus

Also, many thanks to:
Teachers and staff at Punahou
Mrs. Lois Bruce and the Churches
The Meeting House in Manoa
Club SLIME and Mrs. Cassella (for 2 boxes of stuffed animals)                                                               [Main]