For veterans of the Vietnam War who have been scarred by memories for decades, a return to Vietnam can provide the ultimate healing. It is in this environment where many veterans finally put Vietnam in perspective. The generous nature of the Vietnamese people helps many veterans deal with the images of their wartime experience and see a new Vietnam. To help those who were once enemies is a remarkable personal journey that proves life changing to both veterans and members of Vietnamese communities.
I spoke with Dave Welch, a member of the D.O.V.E. Fund's Board of Trustees about the organization's work in Vietnam and his relationship with giving.
Why did you start working for the D.O.V.E. Fund?
It stems from two parts. First, it was respect for my dad, who was a Vietnam veteran, and time and service the other veterans put into the D.O.V.E. Fund. Equally important, there is a lot of need and a lot of people who could use our help in Vietnam. I saw a school built by the organization and compared it to what it was before, a community without any school. It was very inspiring to see.
How do you measure your impact?
We measure impact by the number of people we help, primarily children. We also do microfinancing geared toward children and a Leprosy community, a community in Vietnam unofficially outcast from society. The children of these people who have the disease, although they don’t have the disease, are impacted. They don’t have a lot of access to basic necessities like education. A bandage brigade started in 2005, in which we ship thousands of bandages to these communities in Vietnam so people can bandage their wounds and deal with the symptoms of this disease.
What makes the D.O.V.E. Fund different from other organizations in the region?
I think it’s unique in how the organization has two aspects, in that one avenue gets veterans to return to Vietnam, which is difficult for a lot of them. To go back 30 years later to a place they had visited when they were young men and seeing the country as a thriving country instead of a war-torn place, they can replace difficult memories with hopeful memories. The other avenue is helping people in need. I know there are other organizations that are doing really great things, and I don’t want to take from what they’re doing.
Also, the D.O.V.E. Fund members, board of trustees and their friends and families all donate our time and money to all the administrative costs. If you were to hand me a dollar to a project, that entire dollar will make it over to that project. All administrative costs are paid for. My dad is a CPA he will do the accounting so we don't have to pay someone to do that.
In getting involved with the D.O.V.E. Fund, what was the best lesson that you learned along the way?
It’s extremely rewarding and that’s what’s everyone’s looking for—financially or putting in time to help. It’s not always easy. It can be difficult and very time consuming with a lot of effort. It’s another job. Anyone who wants to play a large role in a nonprofit, they shouldn’t expect that it wouldn’t require time. To get the rewards, you really have to dedicate yourself to the cause. If you don’t have a million dollars sitting around to donate, think about the skills you can lend to an organization, with a website or raising awareness. I think you really have to look towards yourself and be prepared to put a little effort into it.
What’s the greatest challenge that [organization/initiative] faces today?
Keeping up with the need in the region. When we [the D.O.V.E. Fund] first started we were localized in very specific parts of Vietnam. As we’ve expanded over time, we realized how much need there was for these services. We used to only build schools but now we also have other projects [the bandage brigade, constructing solar lights, sanitation projects and nursery schools]. After we’ve expanded in that way, we identified more and more need. That’s the challenge to keep up with the need and allocate our resources in the most efficient way possible.
Five years from now, where do you envision your organization?
What I would personally like to see with the D.O.V.E. is that our membership will grow. We will probably grow within Vietnam and continue to serve more people. However, the group started in Ohio and Michigan, and that’s where the majority of members are. With me in New York City, I would like to see more members in the states and get some younger people involved in that. In terms of the legacy, I defer that to the veterans and founders. I can’t speak for them. But for me, even though they were there [in Vietnam] 30 years ago for a war, we are all sort of one people. No one would have guessed 30 years ago that these men and women there would be back years later in the same country building schools. That’s a testament to the people of Vietnam and to Americans coming back to work on a project and leave wonderful things behind.
Could you share a memory you’re particularly fond of from your service with the D.O.V.E. Fund?
I think one memorable moment was when the D.O.V.E Fund built a water tower as a part of a clean water project. I remember the community, going there, and seeing them. Sometimes we see projects before and after it’s done. Going to see the community after the project was done made me realize the importance of clean water. This community didn’t have access to clean water, as they had water but were not aware of its cleaniliness. Something so simple to me was so important to this community. It was eye opening. It relatively didn’t cost that much money, but the project had such great impact.
Another memorable moment was going to a school for the blind. We built a school with audio computers and brail computers. It was another thing we take for granted, and it was heart breaking to see kids who grew up blind, but it was also very inspiring to see how optimistic they were about their own lives. Now the children at this school have all the access to the Internet and things we have. Something as simple as a computer with an audio component and them printing something on the brail printer was very inspiring.
Could you share a memory or experience you’re particularly fond of from your time with CFK?
We have a football program. The students have been participating in the football program and are in a big league club in Kenya. There are success stories of five of them in this big football club, which makes us proud. It helps them in different ways by giving them an opportunity to share, play and express their talent. It’s more than football. There is a program for mentorship and personal development. They are able to gain life skills through football, through a league club or some of them end up becoming coaches or referees. Of course, education program has not been there long but we have seen how we changed the life of someone.
How can one person make a difference in the world?
Anyone who wants to make a difference, there’s plenty of need out there whether it be through Vietnam or the D.O.V.E. Fund. Find an organization you personally connect with in the USA or someone where. Find what you can offer, money or a skill, or just contacting an organization and asking where they need help. They can all use help. My involvement with the D.O.V.E. Fund was the reaching out to my dad and other veterans. As it evolved over of time, it means helping out where I’m able and providing whatever I can provide to people who need it.
The above picture is of a day care center in the
Vietnamese city of Dalat, the provincial capital of Lam Dong province.
Dalat is an enclave of Vietnam's ethnic minorities and in 1968 was
served as a base camp for former US soldier and D.O.V.E. Fund founding
member, Bob Mehring. Through a series of fund raisers and
contributions from their friends after Bob's passing, Bob's wife Paula
was able to fund this daycare center just outside Dalat - a long-time
desire of Bob's.
This is a picture of a daycare center located in in
Hai Truong Commune, in the Hai Lang district. The Hai Truong daycare
center was built by the D.O.V.E Fund and provides space for 120
students.
Above are two pictures Dave just received this week (March
16, 2012) letting the D.O.V.E. Fund members know that the shipment of
3,000 bandages arrived safely in Hanoi and are on their way to Pleiku
where they will be distributed to those in need. These bandages were
sent as part of the D.O.V.E. Fund's Bandage Brigade. The Bandage
Brigade began in 2005 as a volunteer group working with crochet thread
to create bandages for those suffering with leprosy in Vietnam. Since
2008 the D.O.V.E. Fund Bandage Brigade has delivered over 12,000
bandages to the lepers in Vietnam.
To support the D.O.V.E. Fund cause, visit its Givology profile to support a student today!