Update on Madame Ky's Kitchen Project
Update on Madame Ky's kitchen project
(or How to Bring Peace to the World One Person at a Time)
In 2017, I was on a second Journey of Healing and Reconciliation to Vietnam with Ed Tick and Soldier's Heart (SoldiersHeart.net). While I was there I reconnected with my friend Le Ky at her home in Cu Chi. Le Ky had been very kind to me on my visit to Vietnam in 2016. She helped me with the healing of my invisible combat wound,
When I asked her how she was doing, she pointed out that she was very concerned about the state of her kitchen, which was created from found materials.
 |
| Mrs. Ky and my friend Lo, who served as an interpreter from the US Army during the war. |
I decided to raise the money to replace the old kitchen with a new one. With the help of my friends, and the One Heart Band we held a benefit concert. Thanks to The One Heart Band, Unity of Lehigh Valley and the Unity Choir under the direction of Anthony Young and many others, we raised close to $10,000. $3,000 went to the construction of the kitchen and the rest went to Soldier's Heart to support their trips of healing and reconciliation to Vietnam. A special thanks goes to the Harleysville Lions Club which raised $3,000 for the project.
 |
| The One Heart Band: Dave Monhan, Jo Sieger and John Christie, |
My friend Song Tran, who lives in Da Nang agreed to work with a contractor to get the work specified and completed. The project will also include space for a bedroom, which was also in the original kitchen area.
 |
| Mr. and Mrs. Ky, Song, the contractor and the signed contract! |
The completed kitchen
 |
| The new kitchen exterior |
 |
| Song in the new kitchen |
Here are some comments from Ed Tick and Song and about the completed project:
Chao Brother Steve,
Here are a few photos of the new rooms you gifted Madame Ky. She now has a large beautiful new kitchen and also small new bedroom.
She and her family are ecstatic. She could not be happier or more grateful. Their lives are so improved. She says she wants to stay there forever.
Song is so moved he says he will raise money from his friends in Da Nang to buy her a new refrigerator and appliances for the kitchen.
You have performed great blessings brother!
Ed Tick
Here are a few photos of the new rooms you gifted Madame Ky. She now has a large beautiful new kitchen and also small new bedroom.
She and her family are ecstatic. She could not be happier or more grateful. Their lives are so improved. She says she wants to stay there forever.
Song is so moved he says he will raise money from his friends in Da Nang to buy her a new refrigerator and appliances for the kitchen.
You have performed great blessings brother!
Ed Tick
11/4/18
Dear Steve,
I have to tell you
that the Kitchen Project is a big success, not only bringing happiness to a
family but also making a deep impression on the local inhabitants. It is the
first assistance of that kind, from people to people and not through any
government officials in the between. It tells about the reconciliation the
love, the peace, and the good will. It is a small project but a big healing
action.
The rainy season is no
more a threat to the family, Madame Ky said.
With the money left
after paying the constructor I bought two electric fans for the bedroom. If they
could have a refrigerator for the kitchen it would be the best!
A big hug from me, your friend!
Song
Parting thoughts from Steve
Thank you to the many people who made such
generous donations to this project.
I decided to work on this project as an alternative to spending my time in fear and resentment about what is going on in the world. Together, let's continue to find the small, sweet steps that we can take to contribute to world peace.
A big hug from me to you, my friends.
Steve
Comments
Post a Comment