Three years of PTA

When I first got to Vietnam, I knew what expat "wife" life was like.  But, now my kids were a bit older and having mom around wasn't so cool.  A harsh reality!

The first coffee morning, the president asked if someone could be treasurer... well... why not?!?  So, I asked... I actually thought many people would ask... ha ha...

How hard can that be?  I remember just feeling overwhelmed with the idea, but why not?  I knew I had to get myself out there or I'd just ... not do well.  Kids were too old to volunteer in their classes, and meeting other adults would be integral to my survival.  Work would keep me isolated in my home (where ever that was... we were living in a 2 bedroom apartment on the river in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.)

Then we had the Charity Bazaar... even though I was in Taiwan racing on that day, the impact of it was deep in me!  I participated on the committee and observed.  I knew the next year, I wanted to be a BIT part of this!  Not observe! To see the impact of the lives we changed was really life changing for me.

So comes 2010-11 School year.  I am elected president (due to lack of anyone else wanting to do it), but totally on board!  I was so thrilled to be a part, and a big part of an organization that made differences in the lives of our kids and the general community to which we lived!

This year, our 2nd year, we have a great staff... we have a Prez (me), Vice Prez (Quoc who was pres last year), Volunteer coordinator Delma, Secretary Linda and marketing Teresa.  I also served as our treasurer.

The year was great!

I had two objectives as PTA President:

1.  Double the income from the Charity Bazaar

2.  Get the Middle School and HIgh School activities off the ground!

The result?  #1 was tough, the increasing dong to dollar ration meant it was harder to make double the income.  That said, we increased our income by 5,000USD and that saved a lot of lives.

#2, we started a few programs in the Middle and High Schools.  Never before had PTA been involved in MS and HS as a group.  I was very proud of this involvement. 

The following year, I hung on as President... unfortuantely, we had yet again, no treasurer...so I must do this job AGAIN.  

The year started off fine, but after Christmas, everything fell apart.  Our board became very, VERY thin.  Quoc was busy with work, and travelled almost 50% or more... when home... many other things to do.  Summer quit, Joy moved, and well...

I participated on the Head of School search committee as we sat and watched Charles health deteriorate.  

It was a tough year. 

I am glad to be done.

Jimmy Jazz

Who can't be proud when your 12 year old is jammin at the Middle School Concert!

The police walked in for Jimmy Jazz

I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz

Sattamassagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police came looking for Jimmy Jazz

So if you're gonna take a message 'cross this town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz

Don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz

J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, suck that!

So go look all around, you can try your luck, brother
ANd see what you found
But I guarantee that it ain't your day
Chop! Chop!

Bazaar Results - $16,000USD

Not bad for a day's work!  Pity the prep took over two months.  That said, it was an awesome day filled with lots of great shopping, great deals, fun activities for the kids, great food, prizes, silent auction, and just lots of 'community togetherness'!

Bazaar on Saturday!

I haven't decided if I will go back to my old self-serving selfish ways or not.  The immediate gratification of serving myself over everyone else sometimes isn't so bad, right?  I mean, why shoudl I care, there are enough people in the world to care, right?  It really ISN'T my problem...  It's certainly not MY fault.... 

No, I am sorry....not today, not today.

there is only 2 days prior to the Bazaar and I am freaking out.  It has been a growing experience of epic portions.  I never knew I could do what I have done.  That said, had I not gone and seen the babies of poor families that need a life changing operation, visited the school that gives kids a 2nd chance who would otherwise be thrown to the street, seen a 15 year old kid after becoming permanently disabled turning that into a positive thing for the Vietnamese people (he's Korean, an expat living HERE), seeing the hours our school kids volunteer to give orphan kids a fun day, and see the rudimentary, poor rural conditions some have to call home....

it gives me a back bone.

Like parenting...  sometimes, you just have to get a little uncomfortable.  Every night, I go to sleep in a bed with a stomach full of food and I don't worry about the water I drank.  though it is hot enough here to really not NEED clothes... I have clothes to wear....

if gives me a back bone!

Its been a really tough week.  I am in complete awe with our team, Delma, Linda, Quoc,  Helen, Teresa, Bich, Theresa, Lisa, and Katie... week after week, they continue to amaze me with the same effort and eagerness....  we squabble over this and that....  we have had 1st hand corruption, etc....

In the end, I hope it is worth it.

SSIS PTA Charity Bazaar - Information

SSIS PTA Charity Bazaar

Saigon South International School

Saturday, November 20, 2010 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.

Introduction: Saigon South International School (SSIS) is an international school in Phu My Hung located in District 7. Using English as the language of instruction, students from over 30 different countries work, study and play in a spacious park-like setting. Currently over 750 students attend SSIS in grades EC3 to 12.

Purpose of the Bazaar: To introduce the Vietnamese and Expat community to our school and provide financial support to various charities. We also have a deep appreciation and interest in the arts and crafts of our local culture and want to develop this interest and appreciation in our students and extended community. This will also be a good opportunity to purchase unique gifts for the holiday season.

Bazaar Participants include:

• Traditional handicraft artisans
• Vietnamese and Expat artists
• Established Vietnamese and Expat merchants
• Specialty restaurants and food vendors

Bazaar Charity Recipients

• Operation Smile
• Saigon Children’s Charities
• Anh Linh Love School
• CAS Outreach (SSIS student organized charity fund/volunteering program)
• Heart Says Free Move (SSIS student organized charity)

This year’s bazaar promises to be even more successful than last year’s. We have a much wider publicity campaign and expect more then 3,000 attendees. We encourage interested parties to apply quickly.

We are asking businesses to help us with the bazaar by donating either goods or services. These items will be raffled off or put in our Tombola. The raffle is the traditional ‘lucky draw’ where the recipient needs not be present to win. While the Tombola, participants purchase a chance at the lottery. For each chance they pull a number from the Tombola box and either it reads, “Try Again”, or “You won prize number: XX” and the participant immediately takes that pre-marked prize. Tombola is making its debut at this year’s bazaar and has been hugely successful at other international school bazaars.

Last year, the raffle drawing raised over 66,000,000VND, or 30% of the Bazaar’s profit! It was through generous donations from businesses like yours that made the event so successful!

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email.

Ms. Bich at SSIS: 5413-0901 ext. 11012 E-mail: bazaar@ssis.edu.vn

Contact me (Tina - PTA President) at:  pta@ssis.edu.vn

Anh Linh Love School

Family Day silent auction donations when to the Anh Linh Love School in District 7.  SSIS has a long standing relationship with the school.  They have been a recipient of both SSIS finacial and volunteer capital.

Today, Quoc and I got to present Sister Thuy and the school with the proceeds of our silent auction held on September 11th. 

1,235USD were donated today!

The children line up according to grade.  Many are much smaller then you would expect for their age.  When we first arrived, many just wanted to speak English and say, "HI!"... 

The school is 20 years old.

The children sang us a "Thank You" song...

English class..

This sign shows the teachers name on the left and teh grade level on the right.  Mot = 1, Hai = 2, etc... the number of children (hs) is next to it.  Imagine 44 first graders...

and they are very well behaved.

The middle schoolers are working on craft items today.  They sell these to make money for the school as well as sell at our Charity Bazaar.  They are very cute little bead ornaments, jewelry, etc.  Sister Thuy is so proud of their work, as are teh students.

Many students attend during the morning hours and have a school provided lunch.  Then either back home to work, or they have training at the school.  Sister Thuy teaches the boarding students (16 girls) everything from simple household organization, cooking, cleaning, and caring for themselves.

Middle schoolers sewing the school uniforms.  They are learning this trade while earning money. 

Some of the graduating students have gone on to University we were told today!  without Anh Linh Love School, none of these kids would have had a chance.....

Raising their hands

Remind me why I thought I wouldn't like Vietnam... Okay.. the jury is still out about some things...

That said, I am so grateful to be here!