Tra Vinh Orphanage 2004
Oliver Corley at the Tra Vinh Orphanage
Oliver Returns.
Oliver returned to Tra Vinh in 2004. Since his departure in 1997, the government built a new facility (orphanage) for the children. The new Tra Vinh Orphanage was miles from the old military barracks. Concrete, with solid roofs, its own garden and better plumbing.
The Lady standing behind Oliver was his first real mother. She took custody of him the day he was born. Oliver was her responsibility for the first 3 1/2 months of his life. She handed Oliver to me that day in 1997 and the rest is history, as they say.
On the day of this photo, Oliver was walking well ahead of me in the orphanage; the Lady spotted him walking with our translator and driver. She broke down and cried for quite a while. She had immediately recognized Oliver; very few of the children return to visit the orphanage.
Tra Vinh Orphanage In 2004
Tra Vinh Orphanage
“Click on the images to make them larger.”
Tra Vinh Orphanage June 15th, 2015
In June of 2015, Oliver and I traveled back to Vietnam. On the 15th of June, we arrived at the Tra Vinh Orphanage. We were stopped at the gate and refused entry. We had brought 3 cases of miscellaneous supplies for the children of the orphanage. The lady that met us at the gate was advised by our interpreter who my son was and the reason why we were there. Her response was short and clear. “You are not coming in. Get permission from Hanoi, then come back.” I offered to leave the cases in front of the gate; I only asked that they be distributed to the children. The lady refused to even allow this offer.
The supplies went back with us to HCMC, where I dispensed the supplies to needy families. Oliver had snapped this photograph of the front gate that day. Our family has always been respectful of the Vietnamese government; their decision to allow me to adopt one of their own 21 years ago, was a gift I cannot be more grateful for. Oliver is proud of his countries both Vietnam and America.
June 15th, 2015 was not a day to be proud of.
Tra Vinh Orphanage 2015
Tra Vinh Cafe
Here is a short video that we took at a roadside stop on the way to the Tra Vinh Orphanage. We had a really good time & the people were very kind.