An Honest and Touching Letter from Dang Que Can

DANG QUE CAN IS LIKE A SON TO ME.

Hoa, Can, Andy, and Thinh (Underground River, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 1992)

HTC-PFAC School
May 29, 1992

Dear Teacher Andy,

"The time has come to say good bye. So soon... but all good things must come to an end they say". That was a part of a conversation that you taught us and I'd like to start this letter with that quote.

A day without sunshine will be the day that he will leave us, leaving everything that he has shared with us in this lovely camp. I can't imagine how I will be that time. Shall I shed a tear for him? Maybe I won't, but from the bottom of my heart a drop of blood will leak out due to a thorn that pierced my heart because of his departure.
)
The time seems as if is not passing anymore. All the memories of being with him appear in my sight, reminds me of one excellent teacher. The most excellent one I've had in my whole life. He's not just a teacher but also a godfather. He has trained me how to be a good person... how to act politely... how to behave. He has built me up into a very pleasant chap. He has given me a lot of precious knowledge that I can use as a weapon to support me and guide me in my future endeavors. Very soon he will leave the camp. I won't have anymore chance like this. Knowing that fact, I know I have to cherish every moment that I have while he's still here.

Everything about him, mentally and physically is what I long to be. He has everything that a person should have. He is the person that I feel reverent. This is not an exaggeration; it's the truth. I would describe him a lot better if my English were better. How can I forget his face, his advice, his knowledge that he shared. They will always be with me till the end of my life. If I had the choice, I would keep him in the camp... to continue serving the Vietnamese refugees, but then I realized that, that would be selfish of me.

I close this letter with nothing more to say about him. "Who is this gentleman," you might ask. "How can he have that power to inspire and influence people?" "Is he a human being?" "Yeah! Absolutely". His name is Andrew... an English teacher... a very familiar name with the Vietnamese refugees. He has sacrificed his life so that we, Vietnamese, could regain our lost hope; so that we Vietnamese refugees could shine again. Everyone loves his pleasing personality.
I pray to God to be with him and help him. I love you forever, my dear teacher.

Can Dang

British Volunteer Teacher Ruth Myers, Vo Anh Tung, Dang Que Can and Do Thanh Van

Dear Can,

Your letter was so deep and touching. Thank you for validating what I have done for the Vietnamese people.
When I served the Vietnamese refugees in the camp, it was not a sacrifice for me. On the contrary, I considered it as a blessing to be able to make a difference in the lives of the Vietnamese refugees, young and old, who risked their lives in high seas. My service in the camp has helped me grow in wisdom and nobility of character; it has opened my mind to what is possible in everyone's life when one believes in something. In addition, your countrymen have taught me love, patience, perseverance, generosity and respect. I will do the same service to your people again in a heartbeat.

And thank you again, for validating what I have done for the Vietnamese refugees. May God bless you always... all of you!
 
Teacher Andy
February 26, 2009

 

 HTC-PFAC Palawan Education Staff:  Roland, Marissa, Benny, Bessie, Annie, and Andy

OOO

BOAT PEOPLE TRUE SURVIVAL STORY

This photograph has nothing to do with the story below. It was taken from a

UNHCR calendar published in 1987. This photograph is an authentic picture

of a Vietnamese refugee boat after it landed on El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

**MY GREAT ADVENTURE**.....
Written by Hoa, Group 57 El Nido Palawan.....

Crossing the ocean was challenging but a great journey.

I was barely sixteen years old when I bravely crossed the vast South China Sea in search of freedom. I went on a small fishing boat with a group of my compatriots and we decided to head to a safe haven. After three excruciating days sailing, eating and drinking too little, our engine suddenly broke down. Then there was a rainstorm with strong winds that brought gigantic waves. I was so afraid that the boat would capsize. I was wet, cold, and starving. I couldn’t move my feet because they were numb. The fearful children started crying and screaming, calling their mothers. I looked up in the air and saw that the sky was dark. There was no sunshine at all. It seemed as though that the nights and days had become one. “Will this be the end of my life?” I whispered to myself.

The boat owner had stopped navigating and just let the boat drift to nowhere. We were almost out of food and water. I ate dried salted fish to ease me of my hunger. We shared every drop of the water that we had. Many people on the boat were crying while praying. We saved drinking water for the children so that they wouldn’t suffer from deadly dehydration. We were desperate for food and water. To make matter worse, we discovered that the boat was leaking. Instead of panicking, we remained focused and took turns to scoop the sea water out so that it wouldn’t fill the boat and sink it.

I was asked to run errands up and down the lower and upper decks while the boat mechanic was trying his best to fix the broken engine. Thirty-four hours later the sun came up and it burned our skins. We were extremely hungry and thirsty. I thought I was going to die. As I was about to close my eyes to pray, the boat engine started running again. With renewed hope we looked up the sky and thanked God. The boat started heading to its destination. Finally, we landed on Philippine Islands where we were welcomed by the very friendly and generous Filipino people. These caring and loving Filipinos gave us food and shelter and expected nothing in return from us.  One week later, we were all transported to the PFAC Refugee Center on Palawan Islands.

***