The ceremony today was amazing! We are in awe and sensory overload. We arrived at 7:30am to a huge event. We exited the van and were welcomed into the ceremony with a procession of music and children waiving Vietnam flags. We were given front row seats at a table (everyone else just had chairs) and the sign at our table was translated to say "delegates." We felt unworthy, in shock, and amazed as we sat down and were poured tea. It was emotional to think that the tea we were drinking came from water filters we installed last year.
Above is a picture of half of the people at the ceremony. To the left of us, not shown in the picture were all the Headmasters of the schools in Bac Ha. To the right, seated after the students seen here were all the government officials.
Below is the actual certificate awarded to the school. In this picture the certificate is resting below the shrine of Ho Chi Minh. The certificate was marched into the ceremony.
Many officials both from the government and the school system gave speeches. Brian was able to give a speech to represent Cool River's work done and also GVI's dedication to Northern Vietnam. It was a huge privilege! He did a really good job!
After the ceremony we were able to go around and greet all of the headmasters, government officials, and teachers we knew from this trip and previous trips and congratulate them. I don't have any pictures, but we danced with the children and teachers to local music. We were able to dance with middle school students from our trip last year. We ended our time at Bao Nhai eating lunch with basically everyone who is anyone in the school system. We felt so privileged, amazed, and happy to be included in everything.
I have to tell you, Cool River and GVI, our church, our money, and our time, has truly changed a village! I hope we are able to communicate effectively the weight and importance of our trips here. We came here to work because we love the people and want to help, never expecting anything. The events that lead up to this award and ceremony are such a blessing! We were a part, but due to our interest in the school, the hard work of the school administration, and the government giving extra attention to the school, all of us working together has brought us to this day.
We are so thankful to be here and to have experienced today.
The ceremony began with around a half a dozen groups of children performing from the kindergarten, primary, secondary, and high schools. Here is a picture of the kindergarten performing the cutest dance ever, and a video of the high school performing a dance about meeting at the market and falling in love.
Above is a picture of half of the people at the ceremony. To the left of us, not shown in the picture were all the Headmasters of the schools in Bac Ha. To the right, seated after the students seen here were all the government officials.Below is the actual certificate awarded to the school. In this picture the certificate is resting below the shrine of Ho Chi Minh. The certificate was marched into the ceremony.
Many officials both from the government and the school system gave speeches. Brian was able to give a speech to represent Cool River's work done and also GVI's dedication to Northern Vietnam. It was a huge privilege! He did a really good job!
After the ceremony we were able to go around and greet all of the headmasters, government officials, and teachers we knew from this trip and previous trips and congratulate them. I don't have any pictures, but we danced with the children and teachers to local music. We were able to dance with middle school students from our trip last year. We ended our time at Bao Nhai eating lunch with basically everyone who is anyone in the school system. We felt so privileged, amazed, and happy to be included in everything.
I have to tell you, Cool River and GVI, our church, our money, and our time, has truly changed a village! I hope we are able to communicate effectively the weight and importance of our trips here. We came here to work because we love the people and want to help, never expecting anything. The events that lead up to this award and ceremony are such a blessing! We were a part, but due to our interest in the school, the hard work of the school administration, and the government giving extra attention to the school, all of us working together has brought us to this day.
We are so thankful to be here and to have experienced today.
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