To know them is to love them.

A close family I’ve known and loved for years is in dire need of help. They’re from and currently living in Vietnam, where they’re being targeted by the government for starting free English classes and volunteer programs the authorities didn’t approve of. Because of that, they’ve faced constant surveillance and threats by the Vietnamese authorities and have had to pack up and flee every few days to weeks.

They’ve spent their lives giving back to and enriching their community. They support local kids, help their church, and create fun and safe spaces for people to learn and grow. I stayed with them for several months in 2017 with several other volunteers where they gave us shelter, fed us every day, and welcomed us into their home like family. We helped around the house, sang their kids to sleep, taught English to the locals, and celebrated Tet (Vietnamese New Year) with them and their entire village. On our very first day there, they brought us to a wedding where we all sang and played guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight). We shared so many beautiful memories together — we cooked together, traveled, visited neighbors, adopted a pig, attended weddings and funerals and built a beautiful and lifelong kinship.

But after hosting dozens, maybe even hundreds of international volunteers over the years, they caught the attention of the government. Now, they’re being targeted and accused of spreading anti-communist ideas simply for creating spaces where people could learn and connect freely. They’ve always done it quietly, selflessly, and without asking for anything in return. But now they need help. More help than I can give them personally.

The money raised here will help them:

• Cover relocation and travel costs as they flee persecution

• Provide food, clothing, and essentials for their young children

• Give them a little peace of mind which they desperately deserve

To help keep them safe, we’re withholding details like their names and locations vague, but if you want to know more, just reach out. I’d be happy to tell you more about their story.

Thank you so much for reading and for caring. Every little bit helps ❤️