OUR PROJECTS
At the inception of Shake Hands With the World in 2017, we had a goal of raising $15,000. Through the sale of our bags and along with some very generous contributions, we raised just over $25,000. As a result, we have been able to support several meaningful and significant efforts for the underprivileged children of Vietnam. As we continue to produce and sell bags, we will implement our vision to provide hope and help to those in need around the world.
Duc Son Orphanage / Hue; STREETS International / Hoi An; Grand Circle Travel / Boston; Additional Efforts | 2024
DUC SON ORPHANAGE
We continue to support the Duc Son Orphanage by providing funds for milk, diapers and other daily necessities.
In 2023/2024, a critically-needed renovation of the neglected residential area for the disabled children was initiated and completed. We visited the orphanage prior to the demolition and reconstruction to fully understand the scope of the desperately overdo improvements. Gregg facilitated the project, Miss Lam executed it and Grand Circle Foundation, based in Boston, provided the funding. Everyone’s efforts helped make this new area updated, organized and hygienic. A Phase II proposal has been made for renovation to the kitchen, on the roof and in the dining room.
STREETS
In March of this year, we visited the STREETS International headquarters and its training restaurant, Noodles, in Hue for the first time since the pandemic. The organization is flourishing, despite having had to shut down during the pandemic, survive it, and then reopen. In early November, STREETS hosted its 15th anniversary in New York City, where it was celebrated that over 96% of all students who have passed through the program have been gainfully employed in 4- and 5-star restaurants or hotels. Please watch this informative and powerful film. SHWTW continues to donate $5000 a year to STREETS for their programming and Gregg remains on the board after five years of inspired service.
ADDITIONAL EFFORTS
We continue to support children in another orphanage in Hue by providing funding for nutritional food and diapers.
In the spring of 2024, Shake Hands With the World collaborated again with Miss Lam to aid and provide funds to an impoverished family who needed a new roof over their home.
SHWTW has also donated sail bags locally to help fund-raising efforts for global programs including humanitarian justice, environmental impact awareness & action, recognition of female leadership, and an ADA-compliant nature trail.
Additional Orphanages in Need | 2019 - 2023
Uu Dam Orphanage | Hue
Miss Lam introduced us to a new, fledgling orphanage on the outskirts of Hue. The children in this orphanage have an age span of one to eighteen years, and are either in a tutoring program for the youngest, enrolled in the local school system, or attending the university in Hue. The orphanage is clean and bright and the children are very well cared for but they operate on a financial shoestring. SHWTW is assisting by providing scholarships for crucial continuing education to the two oldest students, who are currently enrolled in the University of Hue.
Te Phan Loving Orphanage | Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City
Mrs. Nguyen introduced us to an orphanage located near the HCMC airport, which is an oasis of inspiration within a crowded, busy district. There are forty-five residents from three months of age to forty-four years old, and all are disabled. SHWTW has committed to finding the best way to provide hope and assistance.
For more photographs and greater detail on our past and ongoing projects, please visit our news page.
STREETS International | Hoi An | 2018 - 2023
$7,800 for four scholarships
SHWTW donated $7,800 to provide four scholarships to attend the highly-acclaimed, 18-month culinary and hospitality training program in Hoi An through STREETS International.
Two of the four young adults selected to attend were from the Duc Son Orphanage & two were from the Uu Dam Orphanage in Hue. They are all now speaking English & learning extensively about the hospitality industry. They are happy, and their futures are bright.
We will continue to support and provide scholarships to STREETS with the funds raised from the purchase of our sail bags.
Duc Son Orphanage | Hue | 2017 - 2019
$15,000 goal to build an organic mushroom farm
The bulk of the proceeds from the original sail bags were part of a goal to raise $15,000 to fund a project that would help sustain the Duc Son Orphanage by developing an organic mushroom hothouse and farm. It was successful and now the children enjoy the mushrooms as a part of their healthier daily diet, and many of the children learned valuable skills by participating in the building of the mushroom farm.
Protein-rich food for the Duc Son children
We also collaborated with a local friend to donate a portion of our funds to purchasing protein-rich meals once a week for six months for the children at the orphanage. At the time, the orphanage could only afford protein in the children’s meals once a month.
