{"id":2882,"date":"2017-03-21T13:25:03","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T13:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/?p=2882"},"modified":"2017-03-23T14:33:24","modified_gmt":"2017-03-23T14:33:24","slug":"seven-degrees-separation-synergy-se-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gophilanthropic.org\/seven-degrees-separation-synergy-se-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven degrees of Separation: Synergy in SE Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"
by co-founder Linda DeWolf<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
We see it time and time again: travel as a powerful tool for learning and connecting. Differences can magically melt away and we find ourselves creating bonds in a much deeper way. And connect we did on GoPhil\u2019s recent journey to SE Asia where we were able to balance seeing our partner programs in action with taking in some of the local culture and sightseeing. All in all a great blend\u2026and amazing chemistry.<\/p>\n
Our travelers who joined us from across the country were delighted to learn that they had more in common than they imagined:\u00a0 <\/span>all were passionate about making a difference in the world, several were astonished that they had known the same people and stories during the course of their professional careers and most had been, or currently were working in the areas of health care and\/or consulting. Among our group was also a family foundation team, seeking to learn more about the NGO world in SE Asia and to find programs that matched their criteria for funding. In addition, a handful of intrepid GoPhil Community Members who visit SE Asia every year on their own, decided to chum along with our group for part of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n
Robin Craig at LEOT in Laos<\/p><\/div>\n
And, just as amazing were the NGO partner programs we met with in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Indeed, you will never find a more dedicated, committed group of pioneers anywhere.\u00a0 <\/span>What we found particularly inspiring was their untiring work and commitment to their programs and their hunger to learn and share.\u00a0 <\/span>All the programs we visited had a common thread of providing education to the impoverished with an eye on \u201cchanging destinies\u201d. Our journey took us down a path of getting to know these people, their programs and impact.<\/span><\/p>\n
School children at Ban Pakleung Village Laos<\/p><\/div>\n
Our first stop was Vietnam, a land of great progress and real contrasts (a sense of hope from the people blended with the harshness of the country\u2019s long embattled history).\u00a0 <\/span>Despite an uncharacteristically rainy season, we grabbed our umbrellas and ventured out into the charming city of Hoi An. This UNESCO designated city is replete with sparkling green rice fields, a bustling, colorful market, world famous tailor shops situated on every corner, motor bikes busily zipping in and out of traffic and food that is simply divine (we took a cooking class just so we would be assured of knowing how to make a few of those Vietnamese specialties). <\/span><\/p>\n