Many of you may know that my daughter Pepper and I moved to Vietnam last year, after spending a wonderful year in Thailand. It was a visit to Da Nang that truly captured our hearts. For us, this was more than a change of address; it was a the full embrace of a city that welcomed us instantly—with its vibrant culture, generous people, and of course, the incredible food.

This love for our new home led to an unexpected project: opening an international kindergarten in Sơn Trà. Now, I had no previous teaching experience and had certainly never dreamed of starting a school, but just six months after arriving, I found myself doing exactly that. I simply wasn't happy with the options available for Pepper.

So, I threw myself into it, trusting my instincts to build a program from the ground up. The result is a space that feels truly alive. Our curriculum is both fun and challenging, brought to life through art, movement, music, and thoughtful technology—all designed to unlock creativity and bring out the absolute best in every child. It’s been an incredible journey, and seeing our kids thrive makes it all worthwhile.

The school is doing fantastic, we have put together a wonderful team of teachers, and we have a great group of kids. Honestly, I feel reinvented, with a much greater purpose in life. What started with taking control of my daughter’s early education has blossomed into something much more. We allow our teacher’s children to attend free of charge. These quickly became some of my favorite students. Humble, sweet, bright, ambitious children with a strong desire to learn.

In an attempt to give back to the wonderful community that has already given us so much, I’ve decided to offer scholarships to underprivileged local kids 3-6. My starting plan is to start small, 5 children with the goal of providing them each a free education for the year. I can provide an education, school supplies, a hot lunch and nutritious snack, for a child for roughly $750 USD per month. The average family income in Da Nang is just under $300 USD, so it’s easy to see how this would be out of reach for so many families. I’ve never been involved with GoFundMe but understand it’s a great place to start. I will match anyone’s donation by 100%. Meaning every $400 donated will send someone to school for a month. ❤️❤️

In conjunction with the free school I will be running a couple of clothing drives for local children in both Los Angeles and Missouri. It’s pretty hot here so spring and summer clothes are needed most. I hope this message finds you well. I’m so very excited for this next chapter of Bright Beginnings! Do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, thoughts, or advice! Much Love and peace. Mick

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