At Children of Peace International (COPI), we believe one act of care can spark a lifetime of change.
This spring, that belief came to life in two powerful ways: through hundreds of children receiving life-changing dental care in Dien Ban, and through an opportunity to give 124 students a safe place to learn every day.
Bringing Healthy Smiles to Dien Ban
From March 24–29, 2025, our in-country volunteer team traveled to Dien Ban Town in Quang Nam Province for a week-long dental mission. Over those six days, six dentists, a doctor, a dental assistant, four support volunteers, and one COPI representative worked side-by-side to treat children and families—many of whom had never seen a dentist before.
By the time we packed up our equipment, 676 people had received care. That included 380 dental exams, nearly 500 cavity fillings, fluoride treatments, and the distribution of hygiene kits filled with toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, combs, nail clippers, and soap.
In rural areas like this, oral health education is as important as treatment. The conversations we had—about brushing, about prevention—may seem small, but they’re the first steps toward lifelong healthy habits.
Tam’s Journey – From Patient to Dentist to Changemaker
One of the children who once sat in our dental chair was a girl named Tam.
When Tam first met COPI’s dental team years ago, she was living in an orphanage and had never seen a dentist. That day was the start of something much bigger. Later, when she faced personal challenges and left home, our founder, Binh Rybacki, found her again, encouraged her to return to school, and welcomed her as a volunteer on our dental missions.
Inspired by what she’d learned, Tam decided to become a dentist herself. She graduated, opened her own practice, and even started a scholarship fund for disadvantaged students. Now, she’s planning to rejoin our dental mission—this time not as a patient or a volunteer, but as a dentist giving back to children who are just starting their own journeys.
Her story is a reminder that when we invest in children, the impact echoes for years.
The Next Chapter – A School in Vinh Long Province
Now, we have a new chance to change lives—by building two classrooms and two functional rooms at Trung An A Primary School in the remote Vung Liem District of Vinh Long Province.
Right now, the school doesn’t have enough space to meet Vietnam’s full-day learning requirements. That means 124 children—20 from extremely difficult circumstances, 6 with disabilities, and 3 from ethnic minority communities—are learning in cramped, inadequate conditions.
The total project cost is $100,000. The Vietnamese government has committed to funding 30%, and COPI’s share is $70,000. The moment we secure those funds, construction can begin.
How You Can Help Build This School
Tam’s story started with a single act of care. The children in Vinh Long are waiting for their own story to begin—with a safe, welcoming place to learn.
Your gift today will help us:
- Build two new classrooms and two functional rooms
- Create space for full-day learning
- Give children with disabilities and from ethnic minority backgrounds an equal chance to thrive
Help us open the doors to this new school and give 124 children a brighter future. Every contribution moves us closer to breaking ground.
