The true essence of this amazing country Vietnam: is its people and their extraordinary acceptance of life and its inherent difficulties....
The people of Vietnam have suffered war and terrible hardships.'The Children's Sorrow'illustrates the peoples'resilence; a powerful tool and helps them overcome the lose of family.In the provinces the starving villagers are drive to desparation; they agree to sell their young people into a life of manual labour or prostitution. The elders grieve for their lost children, but accept that their harsh decisions, will protect the ones left behind.
In Tu Lein orphanage, tiny infants lie waiting for their adoption.The smaller children are harvested by mercenaries from the ethnic Thais villages; deep in the mountain strongholds.For a bag of rice, the village elders will sell their 'fair-skinned' babies to the hightest bidder. The young women weep as their babies are taken from them. The children will be sold to foriengers in distant cities. To live a life far from their culture and extended families.
Maggie, Genevieve, Carol are expiates living in Hanoi, Vietnam. The International women's club charity committee, seeks out special projects to support in the nearby provinces. They link with UNICEF to provide a 'Clean water project' in Ninh Binh and other provincial areas. But, the children at Tu Lein orphanage becomes their special project;to protect the children from forced adoption. These dedicated women must work within the legal boundaries impossed by the Vietnam regime. But through hard work, small miracles happen and the smiles on childrens faces brightens their day...
Excerpt
I thought that after my daughter had worked for six months in a brothel, I would bring her back to her family in Vietnam. I was so afraid that she would get ill. I cried alot because I pitied her.
Professional Reviews
Gabrielle Hogan-Reveiwer
This novel gave me a poignant insight into the social structure of Vietnam. The efforts of world-wide organisations must continue to annul these horrendous acts to protect the young people of Vietnam-Compelling reading.
Graeme Nichols-Reveiwer
The challenges faced by these European women working against such a powerful regime in their quest to help the people of Vietnam, are inspiring.-Highly recommended.
Father Charles Robak(who passed away 29 May, 2005)
The teachers at the Boy's Reformatory, were overwhelmed by the generosity of the Hanoi International Women's Club. Leonie Campbell is a special friend of mine and understands the commitment we feel to the young people of Vietnam.
The children adopted by American families are generally not mistreated. I see them in church with their mothers and are loved. Perhaps these children are from China,I do not know. I see African children with white people too. These things are going on in nearly every country. I think our president is working hard to prevent this from happening here. This is from a force of evil. Prayer and work must go hand in hand. Not just from a handout. It takes more than that to straighten out a nation. Marguerite
Reviewed by Betty Torain
5/12/2005
This is truly sad but, worth while news you have given. Thanks a lot. Keep writing.
