Today I am flying out to Vietnam. No not for a holiday, as many seem to think. I am flying out to Vietnam to work with several great VMware colleagues whom have been asked by the VMware Foundation to go on this journey. I am very grateful and honored to have been selected for this project, it is not just a random project… We will be helping Team4tech and Orphanimpact by working on improving the delivery of computer classes to various orphanages in Vietnam.
Some of you will probably have the same question as my daughter had when I explained why I was going away for almost 2 weeks to Vietnam: “You are going to an orphanage to do what… improve delivery of computer classes, why would those kids need that?” Watch this video and you will understand why it is important for these kids to get computer classes, preventing social isolation is key here.
More details about Orphan Impact here: orphanimpact.org
More details about Team4Tech here: team4tech.org
If your company is interested in contributing / giving back, make sure to contact Team4Tech and Orphan Impact. They work with many great technology companies like Intel and VMware on various projects, and they can use all the help they need.
I know many of my fellow technology lovers have a big heart. I would like to ask each and everyone of you who has enjoyed reading my articles to donate something to either Team4Tech or Orphan Impact. (Of course contributions in different ways like I describe above are also encouraged!) Believe me, this is a great cause and they can use all the help they can get. You (or the company your work for) can donate any amount, but with only 10 dollars you can give these kids a headphone for their computer classes for instance. (Before anyone asks, yes I just donated.) VMware folks, if you donate don’t forget to request a donation match through the VMware Foundation!
Support the cause!
So whats the “Viet Cong” government putting into it? I have been to Vietnam recently and it is a growing capital market with many large companies making large capital investments in that country. The taxes and bribes associated with these investments are very significant.
Your efforts are admirable but your contributions are only short term and target only a small subset of folks in need.
Your efforts are best spent fighting the Vietnam regime and politicians who are benefiting in huge $$$$. Forcing this government to take care of “THEIR OWN” citizens, with their deep full pockets is the only solution. Spending two weeks in Vietnam may make you fell good but does nothing significant to bring about change and help those poor children who desperately need help. The real effort and contribution will be forcing real change not a jaunty, insouciant 2 weeks. Maybe ping Jane Fonda for some help, too. Check out her contributions to Vietnam.
‘So whats the “Viet Cong” government putting into it?’
You lost me right there. You do realize the Viet Cong ceased to exist nearly 40 years ago, don’t you?
Dont worry, it will be ok. Just stand over there and look pretty. You might need glases to see that one go over your head.
Maybe we should stop doing aid work and start “forcing real change” onto the corrupt regimes all over the world! The best example for that was probably the US “forcing” the Viet Cong to stop their communist activities. That made a real difference! The countless men and woman that died for the cause of “forcing” a regime to stop its activities. “Force” never resulted in peaceful change with positive outcome.
Real change comes from the heart and by people working together. Positive change starts with positive thought. The work that Duncan and Kamau will do over the next couple of weeks will probably show a dozen people that that people are willing to help on another. Maybe they will not throw over the regime and “force” them to live a different life, but what they might do is touch the lives of people that fuel the revolution to a new Vietnam.
To conclude: positive change does not come by “force” from the outside, it is started from within. Helping the Vietnamese people for two weeks might sound insignificant, but it’s fuel for the “people’s army” to change Vietnam into a country without corruption and bribery. A country with a future and a positive outlook.
So respect to Duncan and Kamau! And good luck in the next couple of weeks.
No disrespect at all. I do charitable work also and to give back is great. There are better, more efficient ways to donate your time helping folks in countries like Vietnam, that make a bigger difference for more people.
What Duncan is doing has bigger impact in countries like Sierra Leone, Niger, Ethiopia, Togo, etc. There is no government, there are no western billions flowing into that country, and those folks are truly in need. You don’t go there because it is lawless and you will be killed. Why do you think countries establish governments? I assure you, that protection of its citizens are not the priority.
Vietnam government has billions and can easily provide for its citizens but they won’t because it is corrupt. The US government (and other world powers) can get involved, but they have to be forced (they are also making billions in Vietnam also) So, this is not the type of charity that makes a difference in Vietnam. Efforts can be spent elsewhere that truly make a difference. Giving back by forcing world powers to change will help more poor that teaching a few kids to type on a computer.
Lead an effort, advocate. It can be done– But you have to pull yourself away from the Super-bowl, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, The Kardashians other distractions.
If you want to understand true giving do some research on Mother Teresa and the locations/countries she went into to help the poor. I probably couldn’t do it.,, ha, I couldn’t do it
“stop their communist activities” ? why?
Thanks for posting this Duncan. This is truly awesome. Virtually-Green Computer is now sponsoring Hoa Nhi for a year, and we will be renewing!
That is awesome Peter, thanks for giving back!
Team4tech is doing excellent by helping orphanages in Vietnam. This is indeed brilliant and I feel lucky as well to be part of VMware team on initial days. It will be nice to know your experience with them as I could not visit Vietnam during my involvement.
Kudos Duncan! I hope to donate some time to an org like this or Engineers without Borders http://www.ewb-usa.org/
I’m pretty sure you moderate comments here, so I’m surprised to see a troll comment get attention away from your cause – pls don’t waste time entertaining the idiots.
Keep up the good work!
I do not moderate comments unless they are racist or offending to other readers. I have not done that too often so far. Everyone has the right to his own opinion.
Thanks for the positive comment, appreciated!