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The first place I visited during my journey was an area of ethnic minorities in Binh Phuoc. Children from Primary to High School were living in a residence there. We left our car a little far from the place they were living and walked towards their residence. The children saw us from far away and run towards us. They took our hands and started playing joyfully with us. In all my life I had never had such a warm reception. The children accompanied us to their rooms and, after a while, they started a very well prepared ceremonial reception. They wanted to teach us their songs and games, but we did not have enough time. It was a pity that we had to go back to Ho Chi Minh City that same day.
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In Phan Thiet and Ho Chi Minh we visited several slum areas where they had houses for the care of street children. Sometimes they will greet us with Japanese expressions like "Konnichiwa" and "Arigatoo." The children were warm and kind towards us. Once we hired 2 big boats and brought about 40 children for a picnic around the Saigon River. We ate lunch there and sung Vietnamese and Japanese songs together. Some small kids would fight among themselves to take our hands without releasing them. The volunteer leader explained to me, "these kids separated from their parents for various unknown reasons. They live alone on the street. Now, love they need most."
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Some children live together in community with the volunteers. They showed us the accessories and little gifts they produce for sale. Some among them are HIV positive. They live very hard lives and have to experience much hardship, but they were joyful. When I reflect on my journey I am thankful because I have father and mother, a brother and a house to live comfortably with my family. I realize that I have lived up to now without noticing the difficulties so many street children have to face.
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