Elizabeth Pham

Elizabeth is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she is majoring in psychology on the pre-dental track. She loves to sing, dance, and take photos. She loves children and hopes to be able to start a pediatric dentist office in the future. She loves to sing including Opera, dance, and take photos. She loves children and hopes to be able to start a pediatric dentist office in the future.

She was the winner of the classroom door competition. She had the children cut out paper butterflies, including a sign that read, "May the winds of your life always carry you towards your goals and dreams." She also choreographed a dance with other volunteer for the closing ceremony, which was dedicated to everyone.

Elizabeth's Reflection.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this summer program is the best part of my year"

“Every summer I come back to Vietnam to teach English, it feels like I’m coming back home. There is no doubt in my mind that this summer program is the best part of my year. I love the kind-hearted and resilient people I meet and the sweet children I get to call my students. These children make me more kind and understanding everyday. Being their teacher taught me so many things about myself and about life. I learned how to be a leader, I learned how to communicate better, and most importantly I learned how to care and worry for others, which is the whole purpose of this program. We were able to spread a little compassion to the people back in our motherland and let them know that we see their strength and we admire them for it. Being able to hear their stories and see them conquer adversity was incredibly motivating and made me feel so blessed for the life that I have. I want to thank Fr. Hoc, Fr. Que, and Ms. Christina for creating a program that not only changes the lives for the people and the children in Vietnam, but the volunteers who are trying to spread a little more compassion from America.”