The First of April is the anniversary of BaCoChiEm. A lot of people have remarked “Why did you introduce your project on April 1st? A lot of people will think you’re joking for April Fools’ Day.”
A year has gone by, BaCoChiEm continues to develop through the passionate hearts of many people to demonstrate that on April Fools’ Day, only the most sincere efforts can come to fruition.
BaCoChiEm began in a really special way: the amount of children was few and it was designed only for girls. The staff and volunteers were all young women. The concept of regularly scheduled visits between the girls and the volunteers was a new concept [in Vietnam]. A lot of people commended the idea, while many others were reluctant and apprehensive about it. To them, BaCoChiEm was fascinating because it kept them intrigued about its viability.
The one special feature was the chi (big sister) volunteers. As “The Eldest Sister” of the chi volunteers, I understood their dreams and worries: “Will our pioneering role result in anything?” I have witnessed them fight, anguish, and rejoice over the immeasurable successes of their little em’s.
Now, I still remember the joy and sadness of the volunteers in the past year, I still see the faces and voices of the sister as a wonderful gift that God gave BaCoChiEm and for me and for the girls. Although still limited, BaCoChiEm has gradually asserted its pioneering role in demonstrating a unique new way to help these girls find meaning.
The concern has been transferred to a trusted hand, Mrs. Dao, and some changes are underway to improve BaCoChiEm. As I have departed from BaCoChiEm and they start the second cycle, I wish BaCoChiEm a year full of effort and success. I also believe the mission of BaCoChiEm and the current and future methods that will continue to be unique and more efficient.
I hope prestigious awards will go to organizations that collaborate and support BaCoChiEm, including The HIV / AIDS Prevention Association of An Giang Province, the Union of Friendship Organizations of An Giang, The Office of Student Affairs at An Giang University, The Medical Department of An Giang and all other agencies, associations, friends of BaCoChiEm.
I congratulate and thank the volunteers for their pioneering role in the operation of BaCoChiEm.
I send my words of encouragement and thanks to Mrs. Le Thi Bich Dao - the new manager of BaCoChiEm. In particular, I really appreciate the role of founding and maintaining of BaCoChiEm, Mark Pham - the boss.
For me, BaCoChiEm is really special in every way: The methods, the operations, the volunteers, the friendship. This is actually a good thing and I want to keep seeing its long-term development.
Now, I feel nostalgic as I sit alone and smile thinking back to the first day of BaCoChiEm.
Congratulations on April Fools’ Day 2011, the one year anniversary of BaCoChiEm!
-Nhu Hoa Phan
