Since it’s Giving Tuesday I’d like you to meet someone super cool, super giving and I’m proud to know him; Nam Harrison. We've known his parents for about 18 years now and when Nam came into their life it sparked a wonderful journey and we all watched a lot of goodness unfold. Nam was adopted at age 1 from a village located outside Hanoi. The Harrison’s endeavor is one of joy and gratitude and Nam's overall gratitude doesn't go unnoticed! Nam is the first to say how “We take a lot of stuff for granted like houses, water, toilet, even a school,” So Nam had an idea. Instead of asking for presents for his 10th birthday, he would ask for donations to help build a playground in Vietnam.
Nam has awesome memories of playing on a jungle gym and he wants to help build those fun memories and more for other kids. See how Nam’s favorite sandwich shop stepped up.
The founders of Mendocino Farms caught wind about what Nam and his family were planning and decided to jump in. Their chef came up with the idea of a sandwich that gives back and a portion of the proceeds went to Nam’s charity and almost 30,000 sandwiches were sold and $10,000 was donated. With the help of his parents and family friends, Nam and Clara Wilson built a kindergarten in Danang that serves 122 kids every day. Nam visited the school for the first time in August 2017 and was inspired to do more.
Nam wants to build the young children of the ethnic minority C’Tu tribe a primary school. After visiting the tribe in the Truong Son Mountains, and seeing the shack the kids use for a school, the connection was made, and Nam is unstoppable. “They should have a school too, Mom. Let’s do this!”
Nam had a goal: Build this school as soon as possible so no child has to wait to learn! $43,000 more is needed and with Nam in charge, you can count on his dreams coming true.
So for giving Tuesday, you can help Nam and these global citizens reach their goal and any amount helps! Nam, you’re amazing and for everyone who knows you, we are very proud of you and thank you for sharing your journey with us and of course… thank you to your parents.
Thank you. “Cảm ơn bạn”
More about the Project
Nam’s summer visit to Truong Son Mountains in Quang Nam Province to visit with the C’tu children, their families, local officials and see their temporary school - Watch Here
Why The C’Tu?
According to UNICEF, a pressing need in Vietnam is to have more children start their education at an early age, however, limited access to quality early childhood education in very remote areas has led to “significant bottlenecks to education outcomes for ethnic minority children.” (UNICEF annual report, 2013) Being behind other children academically adds to the many factors that could lead to dropping out of school and leaving behind the opportunities a good education can provide. Ethnic minority children are particularly at risk and have much to gain from early education:
Ethnic minority children make up more than 60% of all poor children.
Facing language barriers and long, difficult treks to school, ethnic minority children are 20 – 25% less likely to complete the first five years of primary education than Kinh children.
There are high drop-out rates among children from ethnic minorities in remote villages due to:
(1) high rates of poverty;
(2) poorly equipped schools in remote areas; and
(3) lack of information.
We can replace this shack with a real school!
With your help?
So for giving Tuesday, you can help Nam and these global citizens reach their goal and any amount helps! Nam, you’re amazing and for everyone who knows you, we are very proud of you and thankful for your parents.
Thank you. “Cảm ơn bạn”
Thank you for reading & happy holidays!
xo,
Janet