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Building People to Build a Nation

 
 
 

A Brief History of REI-Vietnam

REI-Vietnam began operating in 1992.  Following an initial survey trip that spring, field projects in agriculture and English education were initiated the following year.  Medicine and business education followed in 1994, and REI-Vietnam’s first Resident Staff family moved to Hanoi the same year.

Since our origin, over 250 professionals from nine countries have traveled to Vietnam on short-term trips, 55 Vietnamese professionals have been brought to the United States on exchanges, and 13 families and singles from four countries have established residence in Hanoi .  Furthermore, approximately half of our short-term professionals return for multiple trips, and our multiyear Memorandums of Understandings with key Vietnamese medical and educational institutions ensure our continuing presence in these locations.

Several ‘firsts’ have been accomplished with REI’s assistance in Vietnam since 1992:

- The first heart surgery unit was developed in Hue for the twenty million Vietnamese living in central Vietnam (over 200 surgeries occur there annually now).

- The first successful separation of conjoined twins occurred in Hanoi in 2003.

- The immediate mortality rate among infants entering Children’s Hospital in Hanoi has dropped from 30% to 10% with.in the last three years.

- The first small animal clinic was built and equipped in Hanoi.

- The first professional training program for Social Workers in Hanoi has been supported by two social workers from Singapore .

- Currently the field of medical social work is in the process of being introduced in Hanoi .

- A teacher training program for new university faculty at a leading university in Hanoi has been implemented, and an English articulation program for all first year English majors is being conducted by American teachers at the same location.

- Over $10,000,000 in equipment, medicines, books, and other materials have been brought into Vietnam .

- Occupational Therapy has been introduced at the leading general hospital in Hanoi .

- A week long English Business Administration and Tourism seminar has been launched at a major university in Hanoi .

In addition to these ‘firsts’, specific medical training has been emphasized in the medical fields of Otolaryngology, Audiology, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Pulmonology and Respiratory Therapy, Neonatalogy, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Practice, Anesthesiology, Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Family Practice, Orthopedics, and other specializations.

We serve people in three roles:

Volunteer Professionals
Over 250 volunteer professionals from nine countries have traveled with us to Vietnam to contribute within their areas of expertise. Trips are usually about two weeks in length with plans pre-arranged for maximum effect. We develop relationships of friendship and trust, and those are the channels through which our work continues.

REI Fellows
REI-Vietnam has brought over 50 professional specialists and leaders from Vietnam to the U.S. for advanced training or professional exposure. Lengths of stay vary from 3 to 12 weeks. This reciprocity in short-term exchanges strengthens partnerships and deepens personal relationships as well.


Resident Staff
Where developmental needs would be better served long-term, REI-Vietnam also places foreign professionals as residents in Vietnam. Their terms are ususally 2 to 4 years, renewable. These staff learn the language and greatly expand our ability to understand people and their needs and to make vital contributions.