| From West to East |
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| What\'s On | |
| Monday, 27 November 2006 | |
 Nick Keegan is one of the dedicated members of staff that work fulltime at the orphanage. As part of small charity, Nick has a number of different roles. As well as the fulltime job of caring for the children, he is responsible for planning, directing, developing and managing all business-related activities. Dimsum spoke to him about his move from England to Vietnam, to discover more about his experiences there. DS: What is your background? NK: I am 36 years old, was born in Edinburgh and moved to Durham, North East England in 1986. We moved to England when my father got a place at Durham University to study Chinese. He subsequently changed courses and Universities, graduating from Newcastle with an honours degree in French and East Asian studies. He completed his PhD at Durham University in 2005. I joined the Civil Service in 1987 (HM Land Registry in Durham) where my work was legal-based and technical in nature, covering various aspects of the land registration process. One of the final projects I managed was a multi-million pound property development in Guildford, Surrey. I am currently on an official career break from the Land Registry. DS: Why did you decide to work at the orphanage? NK: I am a keen traveller and have visited over 30 countries in the last 12 years. My first experience of Asia was visiting China in 2001 where I spent three weeks travelling from Beijing to Hong Kong. I then travelled throughout South East Asia in 2002, including a period of 4 weeks in Vietnam. I felt a real pull to the Asian culture, its values, history, the people…and of course the food! When I completed my holiday in China, I flew to Vancouver, travelled down to Seattle and then across the northern US. I have to say that I felt somewhat over-whelmed, and depressed, by the sharp contrast of my experiences in China and then North America. I had met so many people in China who had little in the way of material possessions, and the trappings of modern, Western living, and yet their genuine hospitality and openness was incredible. We have so much in the West and yet often it never seems enough. Choice is a good thing, but in many respects I think that we have too much. This experience was a turning point for me. In 2001 I graduated with a Master of Science degree in Quality Management, having spent three years of part time study. My travels had made me restless; completing the degree and developing my skills added to this. I wanted an opportunity to use my management background, and newly-acquired business skills in a different environment to that which I was currently in, one in which I could feel more connected to those I was ultimately working for. I also wanted to feel that I was making a direct and tangible difference. I felt a genuine "pull" towards Asia, and Vietnam in particular. Working at the Orphanage allows me to use my skills to their fullest.  DS: What are the main issues you have had to overcome?NK: Phew, that's a question and a half! Personally, the first one would probably have to be temperature; coming from Scotland I am not used to hot weather! The mosquitoes are also a problem! The Vietnamese language, like Chinese, is tonal. There are 6 tones, and to be honest, they often sound exactly the same to me! I have taken some language lessons and my friends teach me a word or two a day. They then text me in Vietnamese or use it in conversation the next time we speak. This is a good way to learn. Although I have managed to grasp a reasonable amount of normal, every day words, I need to learn a great deal more. This issue has been a difficult one because I am aware of the importance of language skills, but at the same time I have been the only person running the entire administrative/business side of the charity and have had to prioritise my time. Cultural and business practices, such as saving face, are different from the West. I have learnt greater patience and self-restraint over the last year and half. My negotiating skills have certainly improved too! DS: What are the rewards? NK: I set myself three personal goals when I came to Vietnam; I wanted to do work that was rewarding, meaningful and challenging. I can safely say that I have had all three in great quantities! It is extremely satisfying to be able to use your skills to make a direct, and hopefully positive, impact on a person's life. At the same time, I am acutely aware of the responsibility of my decisions and the positive, or negative, impact that they can have. Life in Vietnam, like most Asian countries, can be all-consuming at times, and a regular attack on the senses. There is also a far greater sense of community, family and values that many of us have forgotten in the West. I am privileged to be in a position to experience this, and contrast it with my life in the West. DS: How are the children doing? How have they improved since you started working with them? NK: The children are going from strength to strength; the biggest signs of this are in those with disability. One child in particular, Be Hong, is making remarkable progress. She is three years old and suffers from hydrocephalus (water on the brain). Prior to my arrival, she underwent successful shunt surgery in Ho Chi Minh City. I have been amazed at how much she has developed and improved in my time. She used to be still and lifeless in her cot, barely able to lift her head; now she is animated, alert and constantly on the move! A couple of years ago, the charity built and funded a classroom and playroom for the disabled children, giving them access to education and mental and physical stimulation that they previously lacked; they love it! In addition to our special education teachers, we are also extremely proud of our physiotherapists and the work they do. All our staff are making such a difference to the children's quality of life. DS: What would you like to say to people in the UK?  NK: Don't underestimate the effectiveness of making donations to small organisations such as the Kianh Foundation. Smaller charities have less overheads and administrative costs; the maximum amount of donation money therefore goes directly to those who need it the most. We pride ourselves on being a "grass roots" organisation; that way we never lose touch with those that we are seeking to help. Volunteering at the orphanage If you are a speech therapist and would like to help at the orphanage, they are looking for volunteers, as well as volunteers to help the Special Education teachers working with severely disabled children – Special Education experience is preferred, but not essential. The work is physically and mentally demanding. Volunteers must therefore be able to lift the children, and possess maturity and flexibility, in order to cope with sometimes challenging situations. Placements are for one month at a time, and subject to the approval of the Hoi An Orphanage officials and the local police. It may be possible to extend the stay if the placement is particularly successful, and with the agreement of the orphanage administration. Please visit http://www.kianh.org.uk/volunteering.htm or contact Jackie at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it for further information. |
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