My, Maine West's foster child from Viet Nam, is typical of many other little girls her age. My celebrated her thirteenth birthday on November 8 ‑ 13 Vietnamese age that is. The Vietnamese consider children to be one year old when they are born, so she is really only 12 years old.

My is in the fourth grade and attends a private school which costs $1.54 a month. She is currently studying geography, civics, math, dictation, and morals. My's class rank is 15 out of 48.

My's family consists of her parents, two brothers, Phuc, 8, and Quy, 3, and two sisters, Cinh, 7, and Quan, 4. Phuc and Cinh are in the same class together and attend the same school as My.

After school My helps her mother with the cooking. Her mother is busy at the public market where she sells pig intestines, averaging about $1.03 a day.

Her father is a balloon seller and makes about $1.50 per day. He is unable to work when it rains and spends these days at home taking care of the children. He is currently suffering from TB and goes to a clinic for treatment. He also has a light case of leprosy.

My was given to Maine West through PLAN. This organization handles the money and translates the letters which are sent. Student Council supports her through Council funds and sends her $45 every three months. This money pays for her schooling and supports her family. Student Council has also sent an addtional $15 for Christmas.

My enjoys hearing from her foster parents and anyone who wishes to write to her may do so. Drop the letter in the suggestion box and address it to Janie Leis. Janie will then place the proper sticker on it and send it to New York where it will be translated and sent to My.