Our ecosystem in Vietnam has been quite a blooming garden. As Hang Mai anchors the rural communities, I focus on urban communities, particularly with youth. Having engaged in Laddership Circle two years back, hosting Awakin Circles in various cities, and learning from Nipun's memorable visit in May, we are now engaged in farming permaculture and social permaculture in so many different ways. There is no way to express gratitude in words for all this, so we just keep paying it forward. :)

Below is a summary of some of the local activities.

In May 2018, we held our first retreat of anchors around Vietnam with Nipun. They came from major cities in Vietnam (Hanoi, Sai Gon, Hue, Da Nang) and from the rural areas. In cities, our anchors engage with local communities in building playgrounds, school gardens and community gardens. In the rural areas, our anchors are "back-to-the farm" and engage in "whatever emergence" that unfolds. We haven't written about the retreat, but it ended up being profoundly transformative for almost all of us.



Around the country, we have engaged 300 youth since 2014 on a 10-day "School Without Walls" program -- and now, it is operating entirely on gift ecology. Post our retreats, lots of the youth get engaged in our bubbling "engagement spectrum", and two cities of Hoi An and Hue have become the most "happening hubs". :)




In Hoi An, every Friday, we have an Awakin Circle at my home:



We build "earth homes" as a classroom for children:



We hold weekly art classes at the local community center:



We run an art studio that is home to regular concerts, talks and exhibitions:




In Hue, we have been hosting Awakin Circles since May 2018.



We run a CSA (community supported agriculture) in an urban farm:



We organize monthly "Play Street" in public spaces:



We run school gardens in local schools:




Above are just highlights from Hoi An and Hue. Many other ripples continue on in so many other parts of the country, particularly the rural areas where Hang Mai has been a force and inspiration for so many. Needless to say, all of this is happening in alignment with ServiceSpace values, as a labor of love offering.



On behalf of everyone here, thank you! "It's a blessing, it's so amazing, and I'm grateful for it all."