Na Huong & Ms. Mai Anh – Thien Nhan and friends
Can you share the purpose of founding the program `Thien Nhan and friends`?
MAI ANH: We think this program is not charity or volunteering because it all starts with baby Nhan.
So what are the barriers when you do the program?
MAI ANH: The difficult thing is how to convey information to the media, because that word doesn’t sound pretty.
NA HUONG: Just keep working quietly and one day, everyone realizes that we are so persistent, helping to examine nearly 600 cases and then operate on more than a hundred cases to make the children normal.
The journey of `Thien Nhan and his friends` doesn’t just stop in Vietnam, right?
MAI ANH: Yes, currently the program is helping treat two children from Cambodia and Ukraine.
A few years ago, when I picked up Nhan, I was already exhausted not knowing where to take my child for treatment, let alone whether I had enough money or not.
We are happy to share in this conversation for everyone to understand.
So why don’t you establish a Fund and just stop at the program level?
NA HUONG: Actually, the `Thien Nhan and Friends` program belongs to the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation – an American non-governmental organization founded by Nhan’s godfather (Mr. Greig) in Vietnam in 1999.
Whether we call it a Fund or a Program is not as important to us as what status we have to coordinate and work with the hospital as well as carry out procedures for doctors to enter Vietnam.
What is the fate of the two of you being together?
NA HUONG: I know Mai Anh is from Nhan.
I simply love her too much, love her too much and now that I am a mother, I understand that in Mai Anh’s `crazy` there is no calculation, no thinking, just instinct.
How many members are there working with you?
NA HUONG: In addition to the team of doctors, we have 3 main people: Mr. Greig, Ms. Mai Anh and me;
Furthermore, these surgeries usually last several months, and in some cases, surgery takes place 3 years later. Therefore, if volunteers cannot travel long distances, it will be difficult to monitor the child’s condition and remind them to take medication.
What does the National Volunteer Award mean to people?
MAI ANH: The program has been supported by individual parents, the community and the award is a state recognition.
Shared by Italian doctor – Roberto Decastro – who directly operated on the children
“Mai Anh, Greig, Na Huong and I created the program “Thien Nhan and friends” from the thought that Thien Nhan will have to face the tragedy of life, will encounter difficulties that he has,