Settling In

After just two weeks with his new family Thien Nhan seems to be settling in well, and has already gained one kilogram. Missing a leg hasn't stopped him from scampering upstairs, climbing onto a table and nabbing an extra baguette, or from playing football with his big brother Minh.

Mai Anh, Thien Nhan and his Ba Ngoai (maternal grandmother) spent much of March 25th and 26th at VietCot where Thien Nhan is being fitted for his first prosthetic leg.

A New Leg

Thanks to Dr. Jan and other kind doctors at VietCot, the Vietnamese Training Center for Orthopaedic Technologists -http://www.vietcot.netnam.vn/ - Thien Nhan was measured for his first prosthetic leg on March 24th.

A project under MOLISA, ULSA and the German-funded GTZ, VietCot has agreed to sponsor Thien Nhan's prosthetic care.

It won't be long until he'll take his first steps! We'll keep you posted...

Abandonned at Birth

Abandonned at birth on July 15th, 2006 in a remote village in Central Vietnam, Thien Nhan was mauled by a dog, resulting in the loss of his entire right leg, both testicles and penis. Found by the side of the road he was taken down a rough mountain track by motorbike to the nearest hospital, more than two hours away. Somehow, this baby survived, and some local monks christened him Thien Nhan, which translates as "Person Who Seeks To Do Good".

On March 14th, 2007, at the age of 19 months, Thien Nhan was adopted by a Vietnamese family in Hanoi--Mrs. Mai Anh and Mr. Nghin and their two sons, Big Minh and Little Minh. While Thien Nhan now has a caring family, he still needs a lot of help. As well as cash donations and sponsorships to help cover his medical care and education, we are looking for further fundraising ideas and opportunities, and introductions to specialists in the fields of urology and phalloplasty.

In the spirit of Thien Nhan's name, we invite all of you to become People Who Seek To Do Good. Please help us to turn this miraculous little boy's luck around!

Elka & Mai Anh