The Jewish Post and News ran a story yesterday about Monty and Gerry, a retired couple from Winnipeg who volunteered in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam in January 2010.
They participated in dual program, teaching English at both a children’s shelter as well as to Catholic Nuns. The latter is a new program, with Monty and Gerry as the first-ever participants!
Gerry at Children's Shelter
Monty with Catholic Nuns
Gerry at Children's Shelter
Gerry at Notre Dame Cathedral
Gerry with Catholic Nuns
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From the Jewish Post & News
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
WEDNESDAY, 05 MAY 2010 18:48
There used to be a T.V. show that began each episode with a view of New York City and an unseen announcer who would say, “There are eight million stories in the naked city. This is one of them.” Then as the plot unfolded, viewers would see how ordinary people could wind up having extraordinary adventures.
I agree with the premise of this show, that each of us has a “story” to tell and maybe even one worth writing about. So let me tell you the story of my friends Gerry and Monty Lomow, who were looking for a “snowbird vacation” and wound up with a lot more.
When Gerry and I met for lunch last fall, we talked of our winter getaway plans. I wondered if she and husband Monty were going to Florida or Palm Springs (two favorite snowbird destinations). Her answer surprised me.
“We’re traveling to Vietnam on a couples tour”, she said, “but we’re going two weeks early to work as volunteers in a girls’ orphanage.” This was a surprising piece of news, for although I had known the Lomows for years, I did not know that Monty had been an active volunteer in Winnipeg, working with adult immigrants in the ESL (now EAL – English as an Acquired Language) Program. It sounded like a great adventure, so I called Monty to learn more.
“We wanted a longer holiday”, he explained. “I had read about volunteer tourism and we thought it sounded like an interesting option. He googled the subject, and about 100 websites appeared. “Then it’s just a matter of choosing what suits your needs”, he said.
They chose to go with Cosmic Volunteers, a U.S. – based, non-profit organization, that offers volunteer programs abroad in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Volunteers can work in schools, hospitals, orphanages, with women’s groups, on newspapers, at HIV/AIDs clinics or with other organizations who ask for their assistance. According to Cosmic’s website, volunteers do not require special skills or experience just,” a desire to reach out to those in need in non-western countries”.
Cosmic assists in finding appropriate accommodations (the Lomows found a charming, well-priced hotel on their own), and give advice on food, transportation, communications, health and safety in the host country. Each volunteer pays a fee (depending on the destination), part of which is given as a donation to the organization, and also covers the services of an “on-the-ground” coordinator.
Monty and Gerry were interested in immersing themselves in Vietnamese culture in an urban setting. They chose to volunteer at a girl’s shelter located in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Their job would be to teach English to 25 girls, ranging in age from seven to fifteen years old, at the Mai Am Ba Chieu Orphanage.
Armed with a few ESL textbooks and some educational games and toys, bought at their own expense from Scholar’s Choice, the Lomows left for their Vietnam adventure on January 9th.
They were met at the airport by their coordinator, who introduced them to the Orphanage staff and then left! The couple found the orphanage to be a clean, airy and pleasant place, and those who lived there surprisingly optimistic, well-directed and eager to learn.
However despite the fact that the girls could read English, few, if any, could speak it. Undaunted, the couple “waded in”. “When you’re left on your own, you figure it out”, Monty said. The girls were very musical and loved to sing the English lyrics to the popular songs that were programmed into the home’s electric piano. Gerry printed and distributed song sheets for sing-alongs (“Silent Night” and “Auld Lang Syne” were special favorites!). The couple noticed badminton nets in the back yard, bought racquets and organized a tournament. Using family pictures of winter scenes, and maps and puzzles, they taught about Canada.
After morning sessions with the girls (who attended public school in the afternoon), the Lomows explored the city, stopping to buy dual language books and maps. On one shopping trip, they found DVDs of all the “High School Musical” movies for “their girls”. At night they visited friends they knew in the city, or had dinner at one of the many restaurants.
In fact, Gerry and Monty were doing so well, that the founder of Cosmic Volunteers contacted them and asked if they could also teach English to nuns. They agreed. As a result, the Lomows pioneered a new volunteer opportunity now offered by Cosmic – “Teaching English to Nuns, Buddhist Priests and Monks in Vietnam”.
On the final day of their two weeks at Mai Am Ba Chieu, Gerry and Monty threw a farewell party, complete with a fancy chocolate cake and individual silver bracelets for each girl. They had become attached to their charges and left with mixed feelings. “ It’s an emotional thing. You wonder what will happen to them. Although we were pooped when it was over, I got huge pleasure out of it. It was a warm, wonderful, terrific experience!” Gerry said.
Monty concurs. “I would recommend volunteer tourism highly!” In fact, he is looking into new destinations.
So to paraphrase the T.V. show, there are 600,000 stories in this prairie city. This has been one of the best of them!
Mr. Vincent and Mr. Lawrence holding court
Tom (right) receives an award
Mr. Lawrence presents gift to Mr. Burke (right)
Nicole receives an award
