Wayzata Students Bridging the Ocean
A group of students from Wayzata High School are involved in a new cause called Wayzata Students Bridging the Ocean. The groups goal is to raise $50,000 to build and fund 2 schools in Vietnam. Furthermore, their missison is to provide the opportunity for children in the rural villages of Vietnam a beginning to their education, assisting them in reaching his or her full potential.
The following is an excerpt from the groups website:
WSBTO began when friends with connections to faraway places told us about children in Vietnam with a need. A basic need that many of us take for granted, attending school. A need so basic that many of us take for granted, an education. A new law was passed further dividing the classes of this communist country. A law that would not allow children to attend public schools unless attending kindergarten first. The number of kindergarten schools are limited and not found in many rural areas of Vietnam. This affects the future of so many children’s lives as they remain in poverty, with little opportunity of advancing in personal growth or economic fortune.
After discussing this more, we realized we could make a difference. We could unite a school’s community in raising an awareness of the needs of those less fortunate in a land so far away. Our student efforts could reach across the ocean and make a difference. Building one school at a time, we can give many young children the opportunity that we have.
In furthering our efforts, we plan to visit these schools next summer. We want to teach these kids about what the world has to offer. During June 14, 2010 through June 28, 2010, our students will be traveling to Vietnam to help finish the building of the schools. They will also deliver school supplies and hold a 3 day camp with the children of the villages in Vietnam.
Furthermore, here is an excerpt from an article in the Lakeshore Weekly News by Kelly Westhoff:
This June, a group of Wayzata High School students hope to travel to Vietnam on a mission trip. Once there, they will paint the classroom walls in two new schools they helped finance. They will also help build a playground at each of the schools and lead the local children in mini day camps.
Unlike a lot of mission trips, these students won’t be traveling with a church group. Instead, they will be traveling as representatives of an organization called Wayzata Students Bridging the Ocean.
Wayzata Students Bridging the Ocean was formed in October 2009. It is the brain child of Justin Pham, who is an 11th grader this year.
Last summer, Pham traveled to Vietnam with his family. His parents, who were born in Vietnam, have returned to the country several times. This most recent journey, however, was a first for Pham and his younger brother.
Read the full article here: Wayzata students work to build schools in Vietnam
