I joined the Japa Vietnam's tour during the summer, but it never came to my mind that I could become a link of common understanding between countries, by visiting the people in the North as well as in the South of Vietnam that were living in poor urban and rural areas. My knowledge of the economic situation of Vietnam as a tourist attraction with plenty of natural resources, changed to the hard realities of poverty and health problems. That was the result of my direct contacts with the people, the religious leaders and my conversation with the members of Japa Vietnam. I clearly understood that unless groups like Japa Vietnam assist communities and their children there could not be hope left to them.

Our journey South to the Mekong Delta in Can Tho was to me an unforgettable experience, a real shock. We took a boat for almost two hours and met many small boats in our way. The houses along the canals were very poor. There was neither clean water nor enough food. I had never seen a situation as poor as that and in fact I never took the pain of knowing about the lives of people in the Third World.

On the other hand, I want to show my appreciation to the work of Japa Vietnam. The tour was very enjoyable and I feel deeply satisfied. I got to know a different Vietnam.