Matthew Keenan has paid around ten two-three-month-long visits to the center and conducted various activities in an effort to encourage AO/dioxin child victims in Da Nang city to overcome pain and hardships.
Each time coming to Vietnam, the former U.S. soldier spends time playing toys and drawing with children in the center and instructing them on how to play volleyball.
    |
 |
|
Matthew Keenan and Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims at Da Nang city’s Support Center for AO/Dioxin Victims in May, 2021 |
Talking about reasons for his services over the past five years in Vietnam, Matthew Keenan said that he is a former U.S. soldier who took part in the war in Vietnam from 1970. In 2013, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer as a cause of toxic chemicals used by the U.S. armed forces in Vietnam. After being aware of the cause of his cancer, Matthew Keen spent time looking for information on the Internet and was shocked to know that although the war ended decades ago, a lot of Vietnamese people and their descendants are still suffering post-war toxic chemical consequences. After that, the U.S. veteran decided to return to Vietnam to learn more about the situation. Witnessing the miserable and painful life of children who suffer inborn serious genetic disorders caused by toxic chemicals made him tormented and urged him to do something to make up for the ill-fated children.
In 2016, with the help of an U.S. veteran in Da Nang city, Matthew Keenan could connect with the municipal Association for AO/Dioxin Victims and worked as a volunteer since then. Every year, he comes to Vietnam two or three times and stays there for two or three months each time.
Matthew Keenan said that as a former soldier, who is having cancer caused by toxic chemicals, he understands better than anyone else the losses and pain that AO/dioxin victims and their families are suffering.
According to Vice President of Da Nang city’s municipal Association for AO/Dioxin Victims Tra Thanh Lanh, together with taking care of AO victims at the center, Matthew Keenan has actively called upon domestic and international organizations including Veterans for Peace to make more donations to support the victims in the central city of Da Nang. As a result, he bought a 29-seat coach, built a house, constructed a volleyball court, made a swing, and bought toys for victims in the center.
For his active contributions and dedication over the past years, the former U.S. soldier was admitted as an honorary volunteer of the municipal Association for AO/Dioxin Victims, said Lanh.
With his enthusiasm and kindness, everyone expects that veteran Matthew Keenan will continue working with Da Nang city’s Association for AO/Dioxin Victims and making more contributions in order to help more AO/dioxin victims overcome difficulties and pain and have a better life.
Translated by Tran Hoai