It’s a bright and sunny day in the State of Florida. Outside my window, there is a gecko resting on a small wooden crate, its yellow neck ballooning in anticipation of air and food. A moment later, a tongue forks out and captures a flying insect and swallows it, its hunger satisfied.

As I gaze beyond the gecko, the  leaves of the sugar apple are barely swaying, gently ruffled at times by a swirling of wind from the left. 

While the world in which I live is calm, chaos is unfolding amongst the people living in Vietnam.  Stories from inside the Mekong Delta, especially amongst the indigenous Khmer-Krom paint a stark picture of the COVID 19 darkness unfolding amongst our community.

The forced shut down of big cities such as Saigon, meant that thousands of Khmer-Krom workers could not return home to take care of their families back at the provincial regions. Many were forced to set up tents at their workplace. Those that were potentially exposed to the virus had to self quarantine, pay for food and tests totalling $205 USD, an amount many could not afford. 

Others were caught unprepared and forced to seek shelter within their homes, with little to no access to food, water or medicine. There are reports of families being pulled from their homes in the middle of the night because they were exposed to the virus, their whereabouts unknown. 

As this alarming situation continues to unfold, it is now the time that we must help those that need it the most. Yes, Florida is now an epicentre for new covid 19 infections but in some ways we are so much more fortunate. We have free tests and vaccination, funds set up by the local and national governments as well as a food pantry to help feed the less fortunate. 

Unfortunately, that level of support does not exist for communities back in the Mekong Delta and unless we all do our part, thousands will starve and or die alone in fear and hunger. 

You can help them! Together we can help relieve some of their suffering during these difficult and unprecedented times. 

Giving is not just about the donation. It is about making a difference.

Kathy Calvin. 

If you have family back home, I would encourage you to connect with your local temple and community to mobilize fundraising efforts to  provide much needed basic essentials such as rice, water and medicine for the poor.  There are over 500 local Khmer-Krom temples in the Mekong Delta.

You can also help with this effort by donating to my Grains of Hope, a gofundme initiative I set up to help my local temple in Knong Srok. Or you can send via Zelle @kkneditor@gmail.com

Donate to a Virtual Coffee with Don, another initiative to help fundraise for Wat Phum Thom. 

Remember, giving a little is better than not giving at all.

On behalf of those that cannot seek help or thank you directly, I thank you for your kindness. Until next time, I wish you safety and wellness in mind and body and if you haven’t got vaccinated, please do so.