Notes from the Orphanage: 'Six Babies Called Me Mom'

Editor's Note: This is a continuing series of vignettes covering a two-month volunteering mission that Renton resident and journalist Ava Van embarked on this past spring in Vietnam. 

In certain ways, Ava Van doesn't feel particularly possessive of the words “mom” and “dad.” She didn't know her own parents, who were not present in her life, and had been raised by her grandparents from age 3 until she lost both about four years ago.

In her 22 years, however, she's happily given the titles to several men and women have helped her to have the kind of successful and fulfilling life she lives today. She has a budding career as a journalist and operates a successful photography business. She has multiple 'moms' and 'dads.'

Upon graduating from Seattle Pacific University last year, Van decided it only made sense to give back a little of what she's received in her lifetime and embark on her two-month humanitarian trip to Vietnam. She would spend her time working at an orphanage where many children were in some way disabled. Some were brought there by families who still wanted to maintain contact but needed help. Most were abandoned at the nearby temple. Ever the journalist, she documented her experiences in her blog 57 Days in Ho Chi Minh. 

"Many people have came into my life and invested their love, time and guidance towards making me the person I am today," she said. "I went from the girl who lost everything to the girl who still has everything because of these wonderful people."

Van decided to spend time in Vietnam because that is where her family is from. Though her grandparents kept the culture, food and language alive for her in her youth, she has been on her own since age 18 and admits she hadn't spoken Vietnamese or eaten much Vietnamese food since then.

As reflected in her blog Van dedicated a significant amount of time buying supplies, food, clothing and other necessities for the orphanage, using funds donated by her network of family, friends, educators and clients from her photography business. Though all the donations were appreciated, two people held a particularly special place in her heart:

Mom: “A high school faculty member at my [Lindbergh] high school took me into her family and loved me as her own daughter,” Van said. “She's been my No. 1 cheerleader.”

Dad: John Sugimoto is the father of a friend and roommate who gave Van her first professional camera when she was a college sophomore, invested $2,500 into her photography business, donated $1,200 toward her airfare costs for Vietnam plus an additional $300 to spend on the children in the orphanage. “He has been so amazing and such a great person, not only to me but to the kids,” she said. “He told me when he was in news, he wished someone was there to help him.”

'Mom' and 'dad' here clearly made an impact on Van, and she wanted to do the same for the orphans in Vietnam. Van cited John 14:18 in her blog: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

At the orphanage, she worked with more than 100 children, but it was the six who called her 'mom' that grabbed her by the heart. “I love the kids as if they're my own,” she said.

Read previous stories:

• Renton Resident Crowdsources Humanitarian Trip to Document Vietnamese Orphanage
• Renton Resident Shares Love, Heartache for Children at Vietnamese Orphanage
• Notes from the Orphanage: Enhancing Relationships with Gifts
• Notes from the Orphanage: No Options for Adoption

Coming Friday: This One Wasn't Abandoned at First

Read More: Ava Van: 57 Days in Ho Chi Minh