As a champion of Rotary’s effort to eradicate polio in the world, Ezra Teshome, an American, former governor of the Rotary and member of International Rotary, experienced an emotional trip in Vietnam, especially during a tearful visit to an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City two days ago.

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, according to its website.

Rotary International, one of the largest service organizations in the world, and Kids Without Borders have met with orphans in Go Vap District, all with mental and/or physical challenges, to offer spiritual support and physical strength.

“We visited a large Go Vap orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, with 190 residents of mixed needs from regular orphaned, mildly disabled, and to our shock, extremely bedridden disabled kids," Teshome said.

“It was a surprise that they were optimistic and happy, giving us a warm feeling. We interacted with many of those in the orphanage and helped serve meals and gifts at a birthday celebration."

Over the past several years, Teshome has traveled to many places, including Africa, to do charity, representing Rotary to work with Bill Gates and The Gates Foundation to end polio.

However, no places have impressed and touched him as deeply as Vietnam.

“Perhaps, the images of children with cerebral palsy smiling at us [impressed me most about Vietnam]. We smiled at them too, but we still cried,” Teshome shared of his trip to Vietnam.

“We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City at midnight of May 20. A day later, we visited the orphanage to see first-hand the conditions of the children and the needs for caring for the children, especially severely-ill children to provide them with support in the near future."

Network over the world

Rotary International has supported multiple projects in Vietnam, including providing clean water to rural remote villages, and offering healthcare services for very sick children, said Son Michael Pham, a member of Rotary International.

The organization has also provided support for children who are victims of Agent Orange, built schools in remote areas, donated wheelchairs to disabled people, awarded scholarships to poor students, and joined the fight against human trafficking.

Rotary was officially established in Vietnam in 2022. Current Rotary clubs in Vietnam include Rotary Saigon, Rotary Saigon International, Rotary Da Nang, and Rotary Hanoi.

Son’s group traveled from Seattle, Washington, USA to Hanoi on May 16.

“In Hanoi, we met up with about 70 members from Rotary clubs in Hanoi, California, and Germany," Son stated.

“We shared information about our past and future charity work in Vietnam and opportunities to collaborate. We also discussed potential projects in the country focusing on healthcare for the poor, and education for children in rural areas.

"Our team visited and delivered aid to an orphanage and the Care Center for Children with HIV in Hai Phong [a port city in northern Vietnam] on May 18.”

Almost all members said that upon returning home, they would start involving their clubs in supporting projects in Vietnam.

On Friday, the group will leave for Singapore, which will serve as this year’s venue for the annual Rotary International Convention.

An estimated 35,000 members representing clubs in more than 200 countries are expected to attend the event.

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