Handi-crafts Workshop

Trip Start Nov 08, 2006

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260

Trip End Ongoing

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Flag of Vietnam Saigon, Vietnam
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

I've read articles and heard people say that studies on Agent Orange have never positively shown that it causes birth defects. It's strange that studies by a government who utilized the toxin did not initially release conclusive proof that it causes such horrific damage. Well, when walking the streets of Saigon, or viewing photos of victims, or seeing them in person in a government workshop that employs war victims, no scientific journal is needed. I needed no guy in lab coat to quote any statistics to know that Agent Orange and other toxins used during the Vietnam War cause irreperable and atrocious physical and mental damage. Whatever the specific substance, a huge number of people were affected.

But for those who like stats, there are studies that have shown that Agent Orange (dioxin) causes birth defects. Exact percentages differ amongst studies, but..

01 The Assembly Line

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http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/35/5/1220?etoc

But the Vietnam government has made efforts to help some of those affected participate in society. There is a craft workshop where such people are employed. They make lacquerware products utilizing mother of pearl and egg shells. They create beautiful pieces, working in assembly line fashion. Crutches are propped against wooden tables where men and women with disfigured legs sit and work. A woman with one good hand works diligently applying tiny pieces of shell to a scene depicting life in rural Vietnam. And the workshop isn't meant to conjure pity, it is meant to show perseverance and fortitude. Specific disabilities do not mean an utter lack of ability. Each of these people does his/her part to create pieces of art to be sold to exporters or visitors, often from the United States. It's interesting how things fit together.

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02 On the Assembly Line	03 Workshop	04 Worker	05 Worker
06 Products and Supplies	07 One Good Hand	08 Final Products	09 Final Products
10 The Goods	11 Beautiful Stuff