Hien & The Hydrocephalus Ward At Go Vap Orphanage.

I first returned to my old orphanage in 2007 when I won a 'Do You Dare To Dream' competition at my company Danone.
This has been my 3rd volunteering trip since I first returned to Go Vap Orphanage in Vietnam.

The children on the Hydrocephalus touched my heart & I feel compelled to help them in anyway I can.
Hydrocephalus & the majority of malformations has been attributed to Agent Orange which was used during the American Vietnam War.

Whilst I am volunteering at Go Vap orphanage in Vietnam, you can view whats happening on the below link.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/vietnameseadoptees

The footage you see if of Hien, who is 8 years old & is dying from Hydrocephalus.

Because Hiens head is so huge from the water on the brain & was crying so much, blood appeared on the skin of her head. The nursemaids said she cried a lot & just gave me a wet flannel to cool him down, which did seem to help.

I so need more volunteers who will spend more time with these kids, even if it is to hold their hand, cuddle them or to read or sing to them. At present, Im trying to find Drs who will help with the prevention & early diagnosis of hydrocephalus.

These kids desperately need mattresses, as well as back & head rests to help ease their pain. At present Ive not been able to find any in Vietnam that would help these kids. If anyone knows where I could get a head rest large enough for Hien & the others who are suffering, please let me know!

You can view updates of the children at Go Vap orphanage as well as the other children we support on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vietnam-Volunteer-Network/128611384438

Love & light,

Kim

Kim Nguyen Browne
Founder
Vietnam Volunteer Network
knb@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
http://www.vietnamvolunteernetwork.com/

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Hydrocephalus
• Go Vap Orphanage
• Volunteering in Vietnam
• Help is needed
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Danone UK
• Agent Orange
• Vietnamese Adoptee
• Blog Orphanage
• Orphans
• Vietnam Volunteer Network
• Agent Orange Vietnam War

[alanaahx]

i understand its to raise awareness, its just so heartbreaking. iv never seen anything like it in my life :( i wish all these precious babies all the best. and pray that they go through no more suffering, you are doing such an amazing job lookin after them all <3 well done.. & keep up the amazing work your doing for these little angels. its just so sad to look at :( seeing babies in pain. it just shouldnt happen :(:(

[KimDreamVietnam]

@alanaahx Thank you for your kind words! Like you I live in the UK but am from London & we do not see such late stages of hydrocephalus over here. It was only when I returned to my old orphanage in Vietnam that I had seen such late stages & it moved my heart, so much so, that I created the Vietnam Volunteer Network, to try & help Hien & others like her. Tomorrow I am going to Great Ormond Street hospital  to have a meeting with the hydrocephalus team. I wish you all the best with your son. Kim x

[alanaahx]

why post this on youtube ? never in my life have i cryed so much untill i seen this video. why is this child in agonising pain & why are you showing him/her suffering all over YOUTUBE? it is WRONG ! im a mother of a child with hydro. do u realise how heartbreaking this is to look at, i havent stopped crying for half an hour .. now why would any one want to watch a poor helpless child dying ? especially in pain, it makes me sick ! your doing an amazing job lookin after them but i cant bear this

[KimDreamVietnam]

@alanaahx Dear Alanaahx, I am sorry this is distressing for you to watch. However these videos have helped me to raise awareness about hydrocephalus, find the right organisations to help the children in Vietnam who will operate for free to prevent these late stages & has also brought on average 3 volunteers per month to this orphanage. The staff do a good job of cleaning feeding these children, however my volunteers give these kids love & care before they die. Kind regards, Kim

[KSitz77]

Do these kids get pain medication? I have researched this condition and the headaches are massive. Perhaps that kid was in pain. Problem is he can't tell anyone.

[KimDreamVietnam]

@KSitz77 Hi, Yes they do get medication also whenever Hien cries, we normally put a cold compress on the head & that helps as he stops crying then.

[ShaleeDrake]

Wow. I'm sitting in the hospital w my 20 month old little girl who has hydro as we await our 5th brain surgery. I honestly can't believe my eyes. We are so incredibly lucky to be here. And lucky to say we are waiting for surgery; because thesekids will never have a chance to experience life w out pain and agony. Ty for all that you do for our children all over the world. Xoxo

On another note I myself started a hydro video blog. Feel free to watch them.

[theasiancountries]

@crankerboii Agent Orange form the vietnam war! US vs Vietnam, Us sprayed it everywhere D:

[alanaahx]

@KimDreamVietnam thats nice that you are doing so much to help. i just cant take it seeing babies suffer:( you are an amazing woman i tell you that! it just angers me how unfortunate some kids are, my little man is so luckky to be here & receive the life saving treatment. may i ask? is this beautiful little man hien still alive? hes so beautiful :( he really has touched my heart.. they all have! thank you kim. my son is perfect:) he is very lucky <3 x

[chrisbuffoni]

This breaks my heart

[CrAzYMuFFyn]

I DECLARE WAR ON CIA AND US GOV.

[MyFrogger420]

he needs some fluids he is dehydrated !!!