our annual report

SUNFLOWER MISSION
ANNUAL
REPORT
CREATING A PATH FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
2014
PO Box 1385 Stafford, TX 77497
(713) 478-9240
[email protected]
www.sunflowermission.org
2
3
Content
Letter from the Chairman
VISION
MISSION
VALUES
We hope to inspire our students in Vietnam to
become successful teachers, engineers, and
professionals. Our volunteers learn the skillsets
required of effective leaders, including compassion
and global perspectives.
We are a 501(c)3 organization committed to
improving the lives of people in Vietnam,
mainly through educational assistance
programs. We bring school facilities, teaching
and learning materials, and scholarships to
teachers and students in Vietnam.
We support students only on the basis of
academic potential and need without
consideration of race, religion or gender.
We comply with US and Vietnam laws
and regulations.
“W
hat are the benefits of education?” - A seemingly simple question that contains a plethora of answers. For students in
Viet Nam, having an education can be the difference between working a muddy rice field or becoming a successful
engineer — the catalyst that enables the curiosity of brilliant minds to manifest in ways that better both their lives
and the lives of the families and communities around them. Sunflower Mission (SM) is able to answer this question with specific examples of young lives we’ve touched through our programs.
It is an understatement to say that achieving Sunflower Mission’s 2014 goals was only possible through your unwavering support. All supporters of our mission make a crucial impact, whether by donating financially or by providing the time and skills necessary
to carry out the work of the organization. We would like to acknowledge a few behind the scene individuals who have done so
much for SM. Kim Tuyen Tran has been SM’s work camp coordinator over the last 4 years as well as a donor and contributor to
projects since its inception. Quyen Ma, a working mother of twins, uses the little time left in her day to meet SM’s needs as Director
of Communication, never failing to reach the finish line. Tram Mai, SM’s tax accountant, has provided SM with accounting stability
and consistency since 2004. Tung Tran, a former director and webmaster, developed and maintained SM’s website for over 10
years. These individuals are prime examples of the selflessness and capability of our volunteers. They are the reason that SM has
managed to maintain an average 0.83 percent general and administration cost in the past 12 years. We ended 2014 by welcoming in our 2015-2017 Board of Directors and Board of Advisors. The members include returning board
members and others who have served SM in various informal capacities over the years. Under the new leadership, Sunflower
Mission will continue to grow and execute our core programs as we have in the past. Please meet our new board members listed
on the back cover, which also features an updated map of where classrooms have been built throughout Vietnam.
To ensure SM’s future; SM has created a role to focus on capacity development under the leadership of Board Member Dinh Ngo.
In addition, our new website is set for release in the second quarter of 2015, which has been updated to current standards and
allows for easier navigation, donations, and access to a more complete image of Sunflower Mission.
As we look back through our history and reflect on the fact that Sunflower Mission has built 139 classrooms, has given out 12,344
scholarships, and has seen 337 students graduate in the past twelve years, we could not be prouder of our accomplishments. By
getting involved, all of us have helped to answer the question “What are the benefits of education?” IN THIS ISSUE
Letter from the Chairman
3
LEGO® Robotics Workshop10
The Frees Foundation’s Collaboration
with Sunflower Mission
4
Dance for the Children 2
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Tuan Dao, Chairman
11
2014 in Review5
The Story of SEEDS12
The Workcamp 2014 Experience
6
2014 Financial Statement14
San San’s Sunflower Story
8
Our Donors15
2014 Scholarship Recipients
9
School Map, Board of Directors & Advisors
16
signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Phi·lan·thro·py (noun) Benevolent altruism with the intention of increasing the well-being of
mankind.
See also: Sunflower Mission
-phile: (suffix) Indicating a fondness of something.
4
5
The Frees Foundation’s Collaboration
with Sunflower Mission
T
he Collaboration between the Frees Foundation and
Sunflower Mission has entered into its eighth year. There
are multiple reasons why the Frees Foundation has chosen
to support Sunflower Mission.
2014 in Review
June 20, 2014
Sunflower Mission Work Camp
Values: We share the same belief that education is the key to
breaking the cycle of poverty, improving the standard of living
for individuals, families and communities, and fostering the
leadership skills needed for the next generation of leaders.
Opportunity: Sunflower Mission provides the opportunity for an
education for children and youth in remote, rural areas of
Vietnam who would not otherwise have access to an education.
Without an education, these children would face a future of meager income and a daily struggle to survive.
Commitment: The Frees Foundation has every confidence in
Sunflower Mission’s commitment to its goal to continue to build
schools in underserved, rural areas and to provide scholarships
to students so they will be released from having to work in the
fields and be able to attend school. As children progress with
their education, scholarships provide support for children to stay
in school and to even receive a college and professional level
education. The commitment is to each student and to each school. Sustainability: Sunflower Mission has developed a program for
maintenance, repair and improvements to existing schools. Travel
to inspect each school occurs regularly and scholarship funds
are distributed twice a year to ensure students receive this
support and are making progress academically. Staff
headquartered in Vietnam assists with the logistics for school
construction and the selection of scholarship recipients. Stewardship: Sunflower Mission directs at least 97% of dollars
raised to the scholarship fund and to the construction of schools.
The Board of Directors and Board of Advisors set strategic goals
and provide frequent reports tracking progress against these
goals. One outstanding practice is raising operating funds for
the subsequent year to ensure an achievable work plan. Resources
are leveraged in partnership with corporations and with other
non-profit organizations along with the donated time and services
of countless volunteers.
Innovation: Sunflower Mission continues to add new components
to the education curriculum. New learning experiences that are
being introduced include: increased access to technology through
LEGO® Robotic workshops, introducing children to LEGO® Build
Competition, partnering with Room To Read for books,
construction of school playgrounds at selected schools, partnering
with local and overseas doctors and dentists to offer medical and
dental exams to the students and their parents.
Cultural Exchange: The annual work camp experience for
American and Vietnamese youth provides an opportunity to
create a shared vision and to experience working together to
successfully achieve that vision. Seeing the difference one can
make in the life of an individual, family and community by joining
forces is a powerful life lesson. No doubt, an appreciation for
cultural diversity, different perspectives and respect for one’s
heritage is also learned. September 4, 2014
Dance for the Children 2: ‘70s Friday Night Fever
December 14, 2014
Tau Kappa Omega Fraternity meets Sunflower Mission’s
Board of Directors
The Frees Foundation is honored to partner with Sunflower
Mission and looks forward to continuing to support Sunflower
Mission in the second ten years of their exemplary work providing
an opportunity for an education and a better future for children
and youth in rural Vietnam. Nancy Frees Fountain
Managing Director
The Frees Foundation
January 2, 2015
Year End Appreciation Party
6
The
Workcamp
2014
Experience
Stories told by volunteers from the
work camp.
Round 6
by DAN Q DAO (age 20)
AFTER ONLY 3 DAYS at this year’s work
camp, I’m very happy I decided to join
my sixth camp and take on the role as
one of the youth team leads. Having
attended previously, I was a bit unsure
of how this workcamp could teach me
anything new, but I’ve really been
surprised over the past few days.
Each year, the camp experience is filled
with its own unique moments and this
one has already given me so many
unforgettable memories—including
being tricked into eating barbecued rat,
having our soccer game with the locals
interrupted by a huge monsoon
downpour, and meeting a great group
of talented and generous teammates. One of the most meaningful highlights
for me so far was when my new friend
Kiet, one of the kids from the village,
surprised me with a ki niem, or souvenir
that he had carved out of bamboo and
drawn on. It was touching to see how a
12-year old kid who had very little
would take out the time to make a gift
for me and it made me feel good
knowing I had made at least a small
positive impact on someone’s life. Tomorrow, I’m looking forward to
7
working with our LEGO® workshop
coordinators to teach 60 elementary
school students about engineering and
robotics through LEGO®.
·····
Rain, Rain Don’t Go Away
by BRITNEY DAU (age 18)
AS A THIRD-TIME work camper and
team lead, I can definitely say I have a
bit of experience working with
Sunflower Mission. However, with each
year I volunteer, I have the privilege of
witnessing a new group of people
enriching the lives of young students
through their hard work. Today, I was
able to see the faces of 60 local children
light up as our team of volunteers
introduced them to the field of
engineering through robotic LEGO®. Each volunteer is appointed mentor of
a group of children. We are to help them
understand the mechanics of
engineering and open their minds to
the world of programming. However,
as I began to work with my six children,
I also picked up a little straggler, a sixyear-old local girl named Ngoc. I first
met her yesterday, and we bonded when
I braided her hair. She came in as we
were beginning our lesson, so I sat her
down at one of the tables. As the day
went on, she continuously approached
me with various different objects she
had built with the LEGO®, from scissors
to umbrellas and cameras to airplanes.
At one point, she even made a mini
comb and brushed out my eyebrows.
Needless to say, Ngoc captured my heart
in the short time I’ve been able to know
her. We were glued together for the
continuation of the day, and she even
refused to return home when some of
the adult volunteers told her to do so.
I guess I didn’t make it easy for her to
leave considering I held her in my arms
for most of the day. We even ran to the
gate and back twice during our daily
monsoon, saturating ourselves from
head to toe. I don’t particularly enjoy
running, but as long as Ngoc is with me
and there’s rain involved, you won’t
find me saying no. On each work camp I attend, there are
always a couple children I grow attached
to. They make it that much harder to
say good-bye, and this year, Ngoc will
be the one that does it for me.
Tomorrow is the last day I will get to
see her adorable smile and hear her
infectious laugh, and leaving her is
going to be one of the most difficult
moments of my trip. But I will keep her
in my thoughts always, and I hope that
once in a while, when it rains, she’ll
think of me. We have had a great experience with
Sunflower Mission from our first
interaction 4 years ago through the
entire process to building this school
and this work camp trip. I hope we can
join another future camp with
Sunflower. This is an experience that I
expect will continue to change us into
the future in ways we do not yet realize.
Before the afternoon storm came, Katie
and I painted the bathrooms and back
of the school with a little help from the
fellow campers. Later that day a local
man brought his 2 year old granddaughter to see the work. After a little
Afterwards, we played some volleyball
with some of the local guys, though this
happened after a heavy midday rain, so
the court became a muddy playing field.
play time with her she decided she was
tired. The overall day made me feel so
good and proud to be helping out and
soon changing so many lives. ·····
Daily Lessons
by AJ PADAYHAG (age 21)
·····
Blaise’s Workcamp Experience
by BLAISE COULTER (age 10)
TODAY WAS ANOTHER work filled day
at the school. There were still lots of
jobs to be done. Even though you may
feel tired, the day gets to be lots of fun.
There was painting on windows, doors,
and walls through out the day. I met a
friend named Katie. I feel that she
motivates me and always keeps me
positive. I met kids that are from the village and
ones that will go to the new school. At
first I was a little shy but met a new
friend. She is a 10 year old girl in the
third grade named Trang. There were
more boys than girls. They all luckily
played together and got along. They
would always find a way to make time
pass by. With even the littlest things
like a flip-flop could entertain them. It
made me realize that I take things for
granted and that these kids would try
to do the best they could and work so
much to get something as regular as an
ice cream cone. TODAY, I WOKE UP LATE for the first
time this trip at 7:00AM. The bus was
leaving at 7:15AM.
I usually wake up around 6:00AM, but I
think Sunflower Mission’s workload has
been creeping up on me. Luckily, the
team was not leaving until 7:20AM, so
I had some time to rush through some
breakfast.
On the walk today, I decided to run
halfway along the path, which
jumpstarted my sweating for the day,
but was pretty helpful because today
was going to be a workday. After
shoveling a whole pile of rocks and dirt,
my group stationed at another site for
the day came back to the main school
area to see the children working on the
LEGO® projects that were being led by
our engineering team members.
I enjoyed watching the selected
students succeed in combining
computer programming and LEGO® to
achieve some pretty amazing results.
For students who were not selected, the
team opened up a room in another
room and left them to do their bidding
with a few boxes of legos. Some of these
personal projects were pretty cool.
The Sunflower Mission team lost.
Today, one conversation I remember
the most happened between my
teammates. Programs like Sunflower
Mission are great when we are able to
build schools and provide opportunities
for these children. However, I learned
that providing material things, like
clothing, can get pretty controversial.
According to past experiences or
familiarity with other programs,
providing material things creates a
sense of wanting material things.
Material things will get people so far.
Providing an opportunity for education
will hopefully instill a sense of wanting
an education. Whether they are my own
kids or the kids in the villages that I
hope to reach, I want to live my life as
an example of understanding the value
of education.
I can’t wait for the rest of this journey
and future trips to come. I hope to
reach, I want to live my life as an
example of understanding the value of
education.
·····
A GROUP OF 6 DOCTORS from Vietnam
collaborated with Sunflower Mission to
provide basic medical exams for local
villagers and students where Sunflower
Mission held the work camp in 2014. A
brief extract from their sharing is below
along with the photo of the team.
“…. Sau đó, địa phương mới thông báo
mời trẻ em đến khám; nhóm Thoa đã
lo là sẽ không có trẻ đến khám vì thông
báo quá trễ nhưng không ngờ là chỉ 15
phút sau đó, cha mẹ đã đưa trẻ đến thật
nhanh và thật đông! Nhờ có Hội chữ
thập đỏ địa phương ổn định trật tự,
phát số khám bệnh và anh Tuấn cùng
các bạn trẻ của Sunflower Mission ở bên
trường Vĩnh Thạnh phụ giúp gọi thứ
tự, cân đo nên khoảng 30 phút sau, công
việc chuyên môn chạy tốt: các bé được
cân, đo rồi khám Nhi tổng quát, khám
Răng hàm mặt, sau đó nhận thuốc và
quà (ít bánh kẹo) … Khám chính thức
là 202 trẻ nhưng khi chuẩn bị đi ăn cơm
thì có 3 trẻ nữa được mang đến và tha
thiết được khám nên BS Minh ở lại
khám và 1 trong 3 trẻ đó được khuyên
đi nhập viện vì viêm phổi!
Địa điểm: Trường tiểu học Bình Thạnh
Trung 2, Lấp Vò, Đồng Tháp
Nhân sự:
-3 BS Nhi khoa
-2 BS Răng hàm mặt
-1 Dược sĩ
-các thành viên khác của đoàn và địa phương hỗ trợ cân, đo, phát quà, sắp xếp, giữ trật tự, …
Kết quả:
• Tổng số khám
- 205 trẻ em, trong đó có 120 trẻ
nam và 85 trẻ nữ
- nhỏ nhất: 4 tháng tuổi; lớn
nhất: 15 tuổi
• Tình hình dinh dưỡng
- bình thường: 81 trẻ (39.5%)
- suy dinh dưỡng: 120 trẻ (58.5%),
trong đó còi cọc: 30 (14.6%)
- béo phì: 4 trẻ (2%)
• Tình hình răng hàm mặt
- khám răng hàm mặt: 188 case
- trong đó 143 trẻ có răng sâu (76.1%)
2014 Scholarship Recipients
8
SAN SAN’S SUNFLOWER STORY
Sponsor-A-Student
A Classroom for Students, a Shelter for Families
I
knew about Sunflower Mission through my
parent’s work with the group. Sunflower
Mission is a non-profit organization that goes
to Vietnam to build school for students and
provides scholarships. Students in Vietnam
should have an education like me. I had another
idea to help children and mothers in Vietnam.
I decided to do a car wash and raise money for
the Linh An Shelter in Vietnam. Linh An Shelter
is a safe haven where abandoned children,
mothers, and pregnant women can go when they
do not have a place to live. I chose to help Linh
An Shelter because there are more and more
women, mothers, and children coming to the
shelter and there are not enough rooms to take
them in. These lonely people need a place that
can provide safety and a feeling of being loved.
The carwash helped me learn that I can do
something for sick, homeless, and lonely people.
It changed me because now I want to help people
in different places in the United States and in
different countries like Vietnam. I am glad to be
able to help make a difference at Linh An Shelter
because the women and children will have an
opportunity to have a safe haven where they
can call “home” and be loved. I would like to
visit my parents’ homeland, Vietnam, WITH
SUNFLOWER MISSION, one of these days to help
the people there have a better life.
Matthew San San Hoang
5th grader
I organized a car wash at my dad’s office with
the help of my family and friends. I put up flyers
around the school and asked my friends if they
can volunteer their time and effort to this great
cause. About fifteen friends came to help with
the car wash for 3 days during Spring Break week
and we raised $580.25.
Engineering & Technology In
Saigon
Engineering & Technology In
Da Nang
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
My mom brought me to the Sunflower Mission
annual spring picnic to present the money we
earned at the car wash. SM will ensure that the
money we worked so hard to raise goes directly
to Linh An Shelter.
9
Nguyễn Huy Hoàng
Đặng Văn Tài
Nguyễn Thành Huy
Trần Long Hưng
Vũ Thùy Linh
Doan Cong Danh
Cao Đăng Khoa
Nguyễn Đình Đại
Trinh Hoai Nam
Tran Anh Hang Nga
Dinh Quang Son
Ngo Nhu Tri
Nguyen Thi Thu Thao
Trần Anh Khoa
Nguyen Tang Thanh
Nguyen Van Hong Thang
Nguyen Quoc Dung
Ho Dac Tri
Truong Minh Vu
Bui Van
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
Nguyễn Văn Hóa Vũ
Trần Thị Thanh Tâm
Vu Nhat Minh
Lê Quang Tâm
Nguyen Ngoc Thanh
Phạm Nguyễn Thùy Vân
Nguyen Van Viet
Dam Linh Quang
Phan Trọng Khôi
Ho Trung Dat
Nguyen Thanh Dung
Cù Gia Huy
Ho Duc Dan
Le Van Ninh
Nguyen Ba Quyen
Tran Dai Thang
Le Nguyen Nhat Vu
Nguyen Hoang Thien
Nguyen Vu Gia Bao
Truong Tan Tai
Hồ Lai Tuân
Quang Nhat Nguyen Le
Luong Quang Giap
Vu Manh Duong
On Vu Ngoc Minh
Truong Quang Hanh
Le Quang Long
Nguyen Duc Anh
Phan Đăng Khoa
Le Quang Truong
Nguyen Si Dat
Hoang Nguyen Anh Quoc
Le Tan Dang Khoa
Nguyen Dinh Luan
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Nguyễn Văn Thể
Nguyễn Thị Nga
Võ Văn Tú
Phan Hoàng Vũ
Phạm Thị Mỹ Phương
Nguyễn Thiên Kim
Nguyễn Phạm Vân Thảo Lữ Thị Như Ý Huỳnh Thúy Kiều Trần Thị Phụng
Võ Thị Tình
Nguyễn Thị Kiều
Nguyễn Ngọc Anh Thư
Nguyễn Chí Thanh
Nong Thi Ha
Võ Thị Thùy Diễm
Lê Thị Thanh Thúy
Nguyễn Thị Tám
Phạm Thị Minh Nguyệt
Phạm Thị Thu
Dang Van Thanh Tuan
KOM
Lê Minh Chí
Mai Thị Bé Ty
Nguyễn Nhựt Linh
Nguyễn Thành Tài
Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân
Phạm Thị Diễm Sương
Phan Văn Thân
Trần Thị Việc Trinh
Bùi Tấn Lượng
Huỳnh Duy Tân
Nguyễn Trọng Ân
Nguyễn Bá Phúc
Lê Thị Thanh Hương
Trần Thị Bé Ngoan
Trần Thị Loan
Trương Thị Vẹn
Phạm Thị Huyền Trâm
Phan Chí Cao
Nguyễn Thị Kiều - DT
Lê Tuấn Khang
Lê Nguyễn Thuỳ Trang
Nguyễn Phong Thuỷ
Phan Thị Diễm Kiều
Bùi Nhật Duy
Từ Thị Lan Linh
Trần Thị Thảo Trang
Lê Thị Minh Thư
Phan Thị Ngoc Bich
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Although there is no relationship between Sunflower Mission (SM) and Linh An
Shelter; this feature story is an example of SM’s collaboration with like-minded
individuals, regardless of age. The power to make a difference is ageless.
Sunflower Mission’s Engineering & Technology (SM’s E&T) scholarship program was established in 2005. The program awards
scholarships to college students who not only excel academically in the field of STEM, (science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics), but also demonstrate potential civic leadership. The application process includes writing an essay that is reviewed by a
team in America and a face-to-face interview with eSilicon’s team of engineers in Vietnam.
Sponsor-A-Student (SAS) is a scholarship program where a donor sponsors a specific college student.
Sunflower Mission also provides scholarships to elementary through high school students; however, the list of students is too lengthy to
publish.
Dance for the Children 2
10
LEGO® Robotics Workshop
The Vision Behind LEGO® Robotics Workshop
at Sunflower Mission’s Work Camp
D
by Duy-Loan Le
Board of Advisor
reaming is the beginning of everything! But when one
is born in abundant poverty and surrounded by
perceived impossibilities, how does one know what is
possible to dream? I reflected on this question and in 2005
the answer came to me: the Engineering & Technology
Scholarship program. This prestigious annual scholarship
not only awards the students with a full year of tuition, it also
provides them with an opportunity to ask questions and gain
insight from corporate executives. In addition, through
partnership with eSilicon Corp. a selected group of scholarship
recipients are offered internships and employment.
However, I felt something was still missing: what about the
young elementary students in Vietnam? How do we plant the
seed in this young generation so that they can imagine, create,
think and dream! While serving as a member of National
Instrument’s Board of Director; an email from Amanda
Webster, National Instrument’s Corporate Partnerships
Manager, arrived in my mailbox on August 4th, 2010. Amanda
recommended a partnership between LEGO® Robotics,
National Instrument (NI) and Sunflower Mission (SM). The
pieces came together - it was a eureka moment!
LEGO® is the perfect toy for American children because it
fosters creativity and nurtures their imagination.
Unfortunately, LEGO® is a luxury for children in Vietnam. In
fact, it is an understatement to say that LEGO® is a luxury
because even adult Vietnamese engineers have never had a
chance to play with it. The partnership with LEGO® Robotics
goes beyond bringing LEGO® pieces seen on the shelves of
American toy stores to children in Vietnam. LEGO® Robotics
requires children to learn how to use a computer and basic
programming to make their LEGO® modules move.
Incorporating LEGO® Robotics into Sunflower Mission’s work
camp required tremendous support from NI engineers and
Sunflower Mission Board’s approval. National Instrument’s
assistance in the introduction of LEGO® Robotics into
Sunflower Mission’s work camp started something great. Over
the years, we have garnered strong support from LEGO®
Foundation in Denmark, eSilicon employees, and Texas
Instruments’ engineers. With their help Sunflower Mission
was able to expand the program to include non-robotic LEGO®
activities for children in Vietnam.
The initial logistical challenge was daunting; however, I would
rather reflect on the fact that the dream to give elementary
students a forum to play, imagine, create and ultimately dream
has been realized. Dreaming is the beginning of everything!
What It’s Like to Be an Active Part of the Vision
E
by Khoa Dang Pham
Applications Engineer, National Instruments
ven though it was my second time at a Sunflower Mission
work camp as an LEGO® Robotic Workshop instructor in
2014; as I headed to Dong Thap, my excitement was high
as if it was my first experience. It feels great to teach kids,
who are our future, about engineering and technology. The
workshop provides helpful and meaningful hands on activities
which is lacking in rural Vietnam. Although each of the four
workshops last only half a day, the activities could help spark
the passion to become engineers and scientists in kids; and
“LEGO® WeDo” is a great tool for this purpose. We know that
science and technology is vital to a community’s prosperity.
The workshop integrated fun play and technical skills.
Students can make mistakes and learn from it, which helps
them apply the lessons better. Some students went beyond
the instructions and experimented with other designs and
functionalities; exhibiting an important trait for engineers,
curiosity.
In addition, the kids are trained to work as a team: one team
member comes up with a good way to divide tasks, one
member finds the appropriate LEGO® pieces, another member
builds, and one member checks to ensure the pieces are
assembled correctly.
At the end of the workshop we collected feedback to see what
the students thought of the activities. The results show that
they learned new skills, had a greater appreciation for
engineering work, and were thankful to have had the
opportunity to participate. One student expressed: “I feel like
becoming an engineer. I learned a lot about engineering and
even practiced the work of a real engineer.” Another student
wrote: “The teachers have taken care of me for the whole day
today. I will never forget you.”
After completing the workshop, I have so much hope for these
kids’ future! An added bonus as a LEGO® Robotic Workshop
instructor is that I have a chance to visit the peaceful Vietnam
country side and interact with the friendly people of the
Mekong delta.
11
h i, V
NaN
12
i-An, Da
n
13
the story
of seeds
F
ounded in 2009, the purpose of Sunflower Mission’s SEEDS was to create a space for students and youth in our local community
who were interested in helping the organization’s efforts improve education in Vietnam. SEEDS, which stands for “Students
Expanding Education by Devoting Service,” was an outlet not only to improve the lives of students in Vietnam, but also a
source of meaningful opportunities for students in America. Through witnessing our parents’ work with Sunflower Mission at
a young age, we were inspired to contribute beyond just setting up for events and attending charity functions as reluctant
bystanders. We wanted to take things into our own hands and get our friends involved in the effort as well.
Following the creation of SEEDS and with tremendous guidance from SEEDS’ advisor Quyen Ma, we were able to create,
plan and execute our own fundraising initiatives from scratch. From car washes to lemonade stands and selling raffle
tickets at Sunflower Mission’s events, we successfully raised over $2,000 in our first year. As we grew, our events became
bigger in scope and our work was also reflected in our involvement with Sunflower Mission’s work camp program in
rural Vietnam. After we graduated from high school and moved on to college, we were able to confidently hand the
torch down to younger members who did amazing things with the group.
by Dan Q. Dao, Nanhi Tran, and Vi-An Nguyen
SEEDS founders
As SEEDS alumni, we still carry many lessons and skills acquired from our work. Each ‘event’ we hosted required us to
put our heads together to brainstorm everything from scratch—from creative fundraising techniques to fun games and
practical budgets. Though at times it was difficult being a high school student trying to do bigger things, we kept each
other accountable, delegated tasks and learned to communicate effectively together. Serving as youth liaisons to
Sunflower Mission’s Board of Directors, we gained a voice to express our own interests and bridge the gap between the
older and younger volunteers.
How has being a Sunflower Mission SEEDS member helped you grow?
by NANHI TRAN (age 22):
I am currently a student at University of
Houston. I am also a sacristan for Life Teen
mass at Christ the Incarnate Word Parish in
Houston, TX. I teach Sunday school at the
same Parish. In short, I am with people all
day, everyday! I am a Co-Founder of the
Sunflower Mission SEEDS. Volunteering and
teaching are a big passion of mine and is
seen through all of my activities.
Being a SEEDS member has taught me so
much in the past few years; Confidence,
organization, and compassion being a few
traits. Confidence is being strong and being
able to perform a task in your own way.
Confidence has helped me with becoming a
leader. Organization is important because it
is needed in order to host or help out with
events. Compassion comes with learning to
be humble. Going to Vietnam at such a young
age as well as actively being a volunteer,
opened my eyes and heart to a new world.
Confidence, organization, and compassion,
are all a part of being a successful leader.
Thanks to SEEDS, I AM A LEADER.
·····
by CHRIS SABBAGH (age 20):
SEEDS has done for me what no other
program could do – offer a perspective on
the opportunities I am given in the present,
and provide an avenue in which I can pay it
forward in the future. As a college student,
it is very easy to get caught up in the events
of everyday life. Take a walk through a
college campus during the day and you’ll
find students struggling to understand
difficult concepts, worrying about GPA, and
planning for the future. Very seldom will
you see students thinking outside of their
current situation.
Being a member of SEEDS has shown me
that this shouldn’t be the case. The program
works hand in hand with Sunflower Mission
to provide educational opportunities to
students in Vietnam, many of whom would
love to take advantage of the resources we
have in the United States. Although I still
struggle to understand difficult concepts,
worry about my GPA, and plan for the future,
SEEDS has taught me to take time to
appreciate the life I am blessed with, to use
my abilities to help those around me, and to
work hard in my current situation so that I
can eventually give back to the organization
that shaped my life and so many others.
·····
by NIKKY PHI (age 19):
I’m a freshman majoring in finance at the
University of Texas at Austin. As a result of
having been involved in Sunflower Mission
through SEEDS, I have a broader perspective
of the world and life which in turn helps me
better understand today’s global economy.
While Sunflower Mission’s goals are huge, SEEDS is living evidence that no one is too small or too young to play an important
part.
After attending
my first Sunflower
Mission work camp in
the summer of 2010, I
came back with a completely
new perspective on life. Spending a week
building a classroom and interacting with
the children taught me the importance of
simplicity. I was no longer attached to
technology, I no longer felt the urge to buy
everything that caught my attention, and I
realized how little value materialistic things
had in our lives. These kids had so little; they
wore the same clothes every day, walked
miles just to get to their school, and returned
to a single room home at the end of the day.
Yet, they were still happy. That’s when I
realized that buying new clothes, shoes, and
purses only brings temporary happiness;
true happiness comes from within.
When you interact with these children
and see the pure joy in their eyes, you can’t
help but want to give them the world. After
my experience with Sunflower Mission, I felt
a sudden urge to give back, and SEEDS is my
outlet for that. As the former president of
SEEDS, I was able to organize fundraisers,
plan Spring Socials, and help out Sunflower
Mission in any way possible. I also gained a
lot of leadership, organization, and
communication skills that will benefit me
in the future. On top of all that, I can
genuinely feel like I am making a difference
in the world.
·····
By GABBY PHI (age 21):
I am a junior at the University of Texas at
Austin pursuing a Bachelor of Science in
Psychology with plans of earning a Masters
in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
When I’m not studying or in class, I work for
the university managing their social media
accounts and act as Editor in Chief of the
Texas chapter of Spoon University, a studentrun online food publication.
Being a SEEDS member has helped me
hone my skills as a team player, from helping
plan Easter social with other SEEDS members
to finishing the final touches of a new school
with fellow work campers. It has helped me
communicate better with others and taught
me to be more patient. It has reminded me
to not be quick to judge and to consider
other perspectives and viewpoints before
coming to a conclusion. It was eye-opening
to see that despite our individual differences
as SEEDS members, we all came together and
worked towards one common goal: to help
the children of Vietnam. I’ve taken all that
I’ve learned as a SEEDS member and apply
it constantly to my daily life, whether it be
at school, at work or with friends.
·····
By BRITNEY DAU (age 19):
By DON DAO (age 17):
My name is Britney, and I am a former
vice president of SEEDS. Sunflower Mission
has had a prevalent presence in my life since
I was ten years old. I’ve attended various
events with my mom, who first introduced
me to Sunflower Mission, and since my first
work camp to my fourth work camp, I’ve
only become more and more involved with
this incredible group. Being a part of
Sunflower Mission has opened my eyes to
the potential that I hold as a person and the
potential that we hold as a team. As an
individual, I can use what I have, what I can
do, to lend a helping hand to a person in
need. As a team, we can use the entirety of
what we have, the entirety of what we can
do, and work together as a unified body to
improve the lives of countless others.
I like to say that I was born into Sunflower
Mission -- many of my earliest memories
revolved around our cherished organization.
The founding of SEEDS offered us, the next
generation, an environment in which we
were expected to plan our own fundraisers,
negotiate our own budgets, recruit new
members, and truly understand the impact
that education can make in shaping the
future. As the current president and former
treasurer of SEEDS, I have gained much
insight on people management,
responsibility, and organization --crucial life
skills that I am honing as I complete my final
year of high school.
I owe an immense amount of gratitude to
this organization, to this family of Sunflower
Mission. I’ve met a vast amount of people
who hold nothing but goodness in their
hearts. I’ve built friendships with people all
over the world, and I’ve seen firsthand the
difference that I can make. So despite what
I can do for SM, I’d like to thank Sunflower
Mission for what it has done for me.
·····
The most rewarding part of our work
occurs each summer, when many of us SEEDS
come together and experience the results
of our work firsthand. These annual
workcamps are among the most formative
experiences of my teenage years; both the
local students and SM members work
together and display unparalleled genuinity
and compassion. I am honored to be a part
of this mission and make a positive impact
on our global community, gaining valuable
leadership experience and forging lifelong
friendships in the process.
·····
14
Statement of Activities - Year Ending December 31st, 2014
Income (unaudited)
Expense (unaudited)
15
Benefactors ($5000+)
Albert Haertlein & Cala Ferrand
BP Foundation
Center for the Encouragement of Self Reliance
Dolsoft Inc.
Drs. Hana Bui & Tito Nguyen & Family
eSilicon Corp.
Journey Charitable Foundation
Kim Son Restaurant
Mona Foundation
National Instruments Corp.
T. K Mai
Texas Instruments Inc.
The Frees Foundation
Vigilant Solutions
Winmagic Inc.
Patrons ($1,000-$4,999)
Reserve fund
Temporarily
restricted fund
$40,500.00
$117,350.55
Scholarship
$13,392.55
Schools
$77,500.00
Work camp
$26,458.00
Unrestricted fund
$107,555.42
Fundraising events
$46,366.67
Universities’ events
$1000.00
General donation
Stock
Interest income
Total Income
$58,578.67
$391.32
$1,218.76
$265,405.97
Scholarship
$75, 656.00
Dao Le
$45, 040.00
Sponsor A Student
$14, 396.00
Engineering &
Technology
$16, 220.00
School
Construction
Supplies & misc.
Work Camp
General &
Adminstrative
$72,181.00
$71,481.00
$700.00
$32,000.00
$1,058.74
Postal
$462.64
Website
$359.64
Public relations
$236.46
Total Expense
$180,895.74
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE Sunflower Mission complies with all applicable state and federal laws regulating tax-exempt organizations and fundraising practices. The Annual Report includes:
· Description of purpose.
· Description of program activities, accomplishments and geographic area served.
· Summary of the total cost of each major program.
· The organization’s board of directors.
Annual financial statements conforms to generally accepted accounting principles required by state and federal law. Program names, activities and financial information listed in the Annual
Report and IRS Form 990 are consistent.
FINANCIAL ACTIVITY At least 97% of annual expenses are for program activity and not more than three percent for administrative and general overhead cost. All U.S. volunteers pay all of
their own travel expenses. Sunflower Mission’s operating principle requires fund on hand in year “n” for year “n+1” operation.
FUNDRAISING Solicitations and informational materials clearly and accurately describe the purpose or programs for which the contributed funds will be used. The donor is provided with
Sunflower Mission’s address or phone number.
Ann Nguyen & Khiem Ngo
Anna Nguyen
Dr. An
Chanh Nguyen
Charles & Kimberly Smith
Chi Dang & Oanh Nguyen
CiCi Pizza HW6
Dao-Le Family
Dr. Khanh Truong
Dr. Kun Shan & Mrs. Judy Lin
Dr. Monique Nguyet Hoang
Dr. & Mrs. Anthony Hoang Phi
Dr. & Mrs. Ha P. Ho
Dr. & Mrs. Tam & Bich Lien Nguyen
Dr. & Mrs. Thuc La - La Dental II
Exxon Mobil Foundation
FMC Technologies
Frank Kelly
Hoa Ta
Hung Hoang & Nga Nguyen
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
Katherine Le
Kim Nguyen Meier
Kim & Mike Ales
Knut & Annette Eriksen
James Adams
Mark Evenson
Mark & Judith Finger
Minosa Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Tony Trinh La
Nguyet T. Hoang
Nick N & Thu M Nguyen
Patrick Nguyen
Paul A Tran
Pham Nguyen Law Group PC
Phuc Hong Nguyen
Que Vu
Quynh Anh Tran McMahan
Robert Alan Eustace
Shaunna Flynn Black
TBK CPA PLLC
Thao P Le & Don Q Nguyen
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
The Catholic University of America
Toan & Lan Dao
Ty & Ha Ong
University of Oklahoma: Tau Kappa Omega
Vietnamese Culture & Science Association
Vivian & Rafael Herrera
OUR SUPPORTERS
Leadership Donor Circle
In honor of Patron & Benefactor donors for
at least 5 years since 2008
Dao-Le Family
Dolsoft Inc.
Dr. Tam & Mrs. Bich Lien Nguyen
eSilicon Corporation
ExxonMobil Foundation
Hoa Ta
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
Mark Evenson
Mona Foundation
Hung Hoang & Nga Nguyen
Ty & Ha Ong
National Instruments Corp.
Phuc Hong Nguyen
Texas Instruments Inc.
The Frees Foundation
Vietnamese Culture & Science Association
Winmagic Inc.
Sponsors ($500-$999)
Albums Innova LLC
Amina Tang
Bao & Tan Nguyen
Bao Chau Pharmacy
Cindy Theriot
Claudia De Marini
ConocoPhillips
Dinh Ngo
Dinh P. Nguyen
Discount Power
Dr. Thang Quang Lam DDS PA
Dr. Thuan & Mrs. My Chuong Tran
Duc Nguyen
Giap Nguyen & Fidelity Charitable
Hoi Nguyen & Tram Anh Huynh
Huyen Thanh Luu
Jeffrey & Elaine Friedberg
Khanh & Diep Ly
Kim Van Vo & Trang Le
Kim Williams-Smith
Lan Anh Huynh-Truong
Mai T. Le & Echo Northrop Grumman
Mediterranean Grill House
Minh Huy Nguyen & Phuong Chu
Oanh Thi Le
Pearland Professional Group
Quynh Bui & Linh Ngo
Quy Nguyen
Solofill LLC
S. W. DentalCare
Tan Hoang
Texas Tempered Glass Inc.
Tho Le & My Khanh Nguyen
Thoa Huynh
Thuy Dao
Trina C. La & Tan M. La
Van Dao & Quoc Tran
Special Acknowledgements
Sunflower Mission expresses deep
gratitude for the support from the
individuals and groups listed below:
1. Mr. Danh Huu Le & Mrs. Huyen Thanh
Luu who have provided printing service for
our annual report since 2012
2. Tau Kappa Omega from the University
of Oklahoma provided the design service
for this annual report issue. The design
team includes Peter Nguyen and Chris Vu.
3. DLST Management Venture LLC for
sponsorship of various events throughout
the year.
4. eSilicon Corp. for multi-year
partnership administering the E&T
scholarship program.
Names and locations of schools
constructed from 2003-2014,
totaling 139 classrooms
Board of Directors
CHAIRMAN
PRESIDENT
TREASURER
SECRETARY
BOARD MEMBER
BOARD MEMBER
Tuan Dao
Kim Oanh Nguyen
Hoa Ta
Tram Anh Huynh
Dinh Ngo
Duc Nguyen
Board of Advisors
Dr. Nam Hoang
Duy-Loan Le
Bao Nguyen
Peter Cuong Tran
Dr. Thuan Tran
Elena Tran
Frank Kelly
Dr. Hoang Phi
Dr. Tito Phuc Nguyen
Quynh Bui