Local team work on a holiday of a lifetime
By Lil Cheung

A TEAM of local tradesmen have just arrived back from a work project which has literally transformed their lives.

Woombye electrician Charlie Nicolosi and Tony Bell of Woombye Garages, along with Chris Robbins of Palmwoods, have just returned from Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

Working for two weeks in 42 degree temperatures and doing 16 hour shifts every day hasn’t deterred their enthusiasm or commitment to Project Vietnam.

"The group was organised by Don Powell transporting a team of 20 trademen to the Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, about an hour and a half drive north of Ho Chi Minh city," Tony said.

"When we arrived we found the building was only 14 years old but looked closer to 140."

Amid the bustle of a busy childrens hospital the Australians assessed the disrepair and began to prioritise the most urgent jobs.

"The electrical wiring was a complete shemoozle," Charlie said. "Live wires were running through public areas. Why someone wasn’t electrocuted is a sheer miracle itself."

Wiring that looked more like an intricate crochet pattern than a circuit system draped from the ceiling running from room to room linked with piano wire.

"After we’d had a look around the Hospital it was obvious that the electrical structures and the operating theatres had to be our priority in such a short time frame," Charlie said.

The first two days were highly stressful as the team began their project in step with the hospital surgery's operating schedule.

"Surgeons were carrying children to their operations walking right through the rooms we were renovating," Tony said.

One child underwent surgery in the room where the team were installing new wiring in the roof.

As the first working party to be sent to this hospital, it was unlikely that the local Vietnamese community were aware of the transformation that would occur.

"Our arrival was viewed by the local Vietnamese will apprehension but by the time work began we had the support of their entire community," Tony said.

The enthusiasm to help was clear.

"It got to the stage where I couldn't leave my brush or paint when I went for a smoke because the nursing staff would pick them up and begin painting."

Even the Head Surgeon pitched in to get the paintwork finished.

"These people are so poor and the conditions they live in are appalling but their strength of spirit is simply amazing," Tony said. Not a day went by when I didn’t have a tear in my eye."

One child who needed major surgery on her stomach came into the hospital with a prognosis of unlikely survival. When she arrived, the team was so moved by her that they helped with her treatment.

"She was laid on clean sheets, propped up with pillows and someone even cut her hair," Tony said. "After her two week stay and surgery she left the hospital with a 90% chance of survival. Knowing that you can make a difference to the lives of these kids is the greatest motivator a man can ask for."

It was a working holiday with a difference as Project Vietnam is funded by volunteers and the team all paid their own fares, accommodation and meals so they could go over and work. Tony and Charlie also donated thousands of dollars worth of trade supplies which were shipped to Vietnam.

"To be involved in this project is much more than a working holiday – it really has been a tour of the real nuts and bolts of this country. To see a nation of kind, caring, tolerant, and appreciative people surrounded by a poverty that words cannot describe has changed my perception of life completely," Tony said.

So when's the next trip?

If it were up to me I’d go again tomorrow, so much needs to be done. But realistically I think we’ll need 12 months," Tony said.

Charlie admits that he signed up in the last hour of the final day before the tickets were booked for this trip but is already making plans for the next trip.

"Tony was so keen to get me involved in the project and now I feel the same way," he said.

Both Tony and Charlie would like to see the team double with the support of more people from the local area.