Smiles and laughter at the Carlos Fernando San Miguel Primary School in Ecuador as students enjoy the new playground equipment funded by Grand Circle Foundation.

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air
and sunshine are hard to beat.”
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Dear Friend,

Last month I returned to Vietnam eager to see two organizations supported by Grand Circle Foundation (GCF): Minh Tu Orphanage, which GCF has supported for more than 20 years, and STREETS International where GCF has sponsored 57 scholarships.

Just like when Alan and I visited Minh Tu Orphanage years ago, I was greeted by its founder, the Reverend Minh Tu. And just like she had done with Alan, she led me around by the hand eager to show me everything. Minh Tu is small but mighty, tough as nails and persistent! While she had not changed at all, I was impressed by all the improvements that had been made to the facility over the years to provide a clean, safe, and loving home to the young children and disabled individuals who live there.

After my visit to STREETS Noodle House and their training facility I was inspired about the possibilities for the young people they serve. Their program provides impoverished youth with English language training, apprenticing, and life skills to prepare them for careers in culinary arts and hospitality service.

The Noodle House restaurant wowed me.  The meal they prepared, which not only tasted good but was gorgeous, and the service provided rivaled some of the best restaurants I have enjoyed around the world. It is not surprising that STREETS has a strong track record of placing their graduates in some of the finest resorts and restaurants in the country.

While in Vietnam, I also had the opportunity to spend time with 2 groups of O.A.T. travelers.  Their intelligence, curiosity and determination to enjoy life to the fullest was incredible to experience- and a true highlight of my trip.

I left Vietnam feeling enormously proud, invigorated and hopeful. Thank you for your generosity, which allows Grand Circle Foundation to help Minh Tu provide young people in need with a home and helps STREETS provide them with a living – both essential for a good future.

Wishing you a joyful spring.

Love and Peace,

 

 

Harriet Lewis

Vietnam, Minh Tu Orphanage: $422,067 funded since 2002. 

East Africa: $133,134 funded since January 1, 2025  to support multiple schools, villages and students. Sandra Vaughan, Grand Circle Foundation Project Manager for East Africa has been busy! Please take a moment to read her update here.

Myanmar: Earthquake Relief – $20,000 to date.  Grand Circle Foundation donated $10,000 to Wine to Water and $10,000 to the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).  Both organizations had teams on the ground in the immediate aftermath of the quake, and both have proven track records of figuring out how to operate in very difficult situations. They work quickly and we trust their teams to get the job done. We have partnered with them in the past to provide support after earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco and in the war in Ukraine.

Wine to Water has committed to providing 5,000 water filters in partnership with World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides free meals in disaster areas using local food and kitchens.

Within hours of the earthquake, JDC’s disaster relief consultant had identified several local organizations that were positioned to provide immediate relief. This rapid response enabled swift coordination to deliver urgently needed food, water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter materials.

We are saddened by the disaster, but proud to be able to help in a small way.

LA Wildfire update: $141,805 funded to provide equipment after the devastating wildfires.

 

Help support Grand Circle Foundation’s work around the world.

Thank you for your generous support of Grand Circle Foundation,and the trust you place in our team to ensure your donation is used as intended.

Because all administration costs are funded by the Grand Circle Foundation, 100% of all donations are tax deductible and returned to our partner sites.

If you made a donation to support a specific project and would like an update on how the funds were used, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected], or call 800-859-0852.

Grand Circle Foundation
347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210