These are beautiful photos of relaxed, friendly kids. Evidence of their afflictions is sometimes subtle. The bios explain the children's physical or mental challenges and/or family situations, while the images give a glimpse of their unique and engaging personalities and resilient spirits.
Dave explained his reaction to the Friendship Village: "After visiting the village I vowed to raise $10,000 for medical reconstructive operations. I think nothing of removing birthmarks or putting braces on my children's teeth, which are non-essential, while these poor people can't afford a small operation to help make them more productive.
"I started by donating $1,000 and will add 10% more to additional donations earmarked for this fund, up to another $1,000 on my part. I have traveled a lot in poorer countries and have tried never to photograph anything negative about the country or its people, but felt that I had to show [what I saw at] the village to maybe stimulate people or awaken their conscience."
Dave has raised almost $7,000 of his $10,000 pledge already. Of this amount, $4,800 has already been transferred to the Friendship Village. During a break from our spring film-screening tour, US Committee member Suel Jones was able to attend a fundraiser hosted by Dave and his wife. Attendees included friends from a Chinese school and a Taiwanese Buddhist group, and other friends who have traveled overseas. The food was reported to be fabulous.
Although Dave's original pledge was to be earmarked solely for surgeries and other costly medical treatments for children at the village, he has made one exception. Suel, who lives in Hanoi and visits the Friendship Village weekly, discovered that the village really needed a library. He got Dave's permission to use $2,000 of the money he raised to pay for wood-and-glass cabinets, and a lot of books.
While Dave Rocovits' fundraising efforts are a gift to the children of the Friendship Village, his photographs are a gift toall of us. They remind us that Vietnamese children are like children all over the world. These kids, with their various "disabilities," are fully human, and like humans everywhere, they deserve to be loved, respected, and well cared for. They deserve a chance to be as healthy as possible, so they may enjoy full, productive lives. That is why we do what we do.