Every day, at the beginning of the morning, the Center’s Campus 1, 2 in Thanh Khe District and Campus 3 in Hoa Vang District are full of laughter and fun. Children with limp feet, crooked arms, crooked mouths, hoarse and slurred voices, high-pitched laughs ran out to take the tall, thin, foreign man with pink and white skin, bald white hair, into the center. It was an American veteran, affectionately called by the children here \"Mr. Matthew\". As always, he sat down on the floor of the Center\'s hall, held children into his arms, and patted them with a gentle and friendly smile. After interacting with the AO children at the Center for a while, Matthew walked around the Center again, greeting everyone. Despite the language barrier, the teachers and children here replied softly with some English they learnt from him: \"ok, ok\", \"good, good\", \"thanks, thanks\", then looked at each other and smiled happily...
Matthew Keenan with the children at the Center
The morning began with the whistle blown by Matthew. The kids rushed out onto the yard, lined up in two rows, two teams playing basketball. They tried to show off their skills, but no matter how hard they tried, they could not throw the ball into the basket. He again showed each movement for the children to perform, and then he threw the ball to the goal. The kids jumped up, clapped their hands, cheered, excited.
Leaving the sports field, Matthew and his children entered the classroom. In each room, he dedicatedly, meticulously instructed the children to play jigsaw puzzles, draw pictures... In an incense making room, he helped the children bring the incense to dry in the sun. Seeing some children making souvenirs, Matthew meticulously helped the girls clumsily thread the glittering beads on the wire to form flowers, creating meaningful and fresh flower vases... Those are the results of teachers and students at the Center.
Just finished helping this child, another group of children ran over to coax and ask Matthew to teach them. Matthew patiently held each child\'s hand, and helped them write the each letter. Every time they finished a scribble, the children clapped their hands in delight, hugged Mr. Matthew, and grinned...
Matthew shared: In 2013, he went to see the doctor and was diagnosed with prostate cancer due to Agent Orange exposure during his time in Vietnam War in 1970. Knowing his disease, he searched online and was shocked to learn that in Vietnam, more than 45 years after the war ended, there are still generations of people infected with toxic chemicals. He witnessed the miserable life of Agent Orange children in Vietnam, making him feel tormented and heartbroken. More than anyone else, he understands the loss, disadvantage, pain that AO children and their families are suffering - that is the pain of Agent Orange. That prompted him to return to Vietnam to do charity work, contributing to alleviating Agent Orange pain.
In 2016, Matthew returned to Da Nang and was introduced to Da Nang Association for victims of Agent Orange by a friend. During the past 5 years, he has been with the Association, along with teachers and staff at the City’s Center for the Support of AO victims and disadvantaged children to take care and help AO children. And here, Matthew interacts with children who are AO victims. \"Despite their illness, the children are always happy, they inspire me very much\", said Matthew.
Since then, each year, Matthew comes to Vietnam 2-3 times; each time he stays for 2-3 months. He confided that: “I and the AO children here do not speak the same language, but I believe they understand my concern, sharing and care. Because, there are loves that do not need to be expressed in words, but by actions, deeds and heart. Honestly, I consider them as my own children!\"
Over the years, not only taking care of and helping the children at the Center, Matthew also called, mobilized and connected many individuals and organizations domestically and internationally such as Australia, Japan, USA, and Canada. .., especially American veterans to have more budget to support and help Agent Orange victims in Da Nang. His effort has helped bringing about a 29-seat bus to pick up and drop off the children at the Center, building charity houses, building a basketball court, swinging chairs for children to sit and play, buying toys and organizing other activities at the Center, etc.
The meaningful work of Matthew Keenan in the past time has brought joy and laughter to the AO children, and at the same time contributed to promoting the 25-year relationship and cooperation between Vietnam and the United States. Above all, his kindness has helped the children at the Center have more faith and energy to rise up in life.
