Chien + Thang = Victory!

We have recently learned that while "Chien" and "Thang" both have their own definitions as words in Vietnamese, combined, the meaning of the two words together is even more inspiring. "Chien Thang," if you look it up in the Vietnamese/English Dictionary, means "Victory!" or more specifically "to triumph over poverty, backwardness or a natural calamity."

It now makes sense that "Chien" and "Thang" are the names that the birth mother gave to the twins in the hospital before she snuck out and left them behind. The hospital records show that she wrote the following thoughts in the note she left behind at the hospital before her departure dated June 27th, 2007:

"My name is Dang Thi Thanh, age 38. On June 21st I gave birth to twin boys. Due to my hard living conditions, I can't afford to bring them up so I voluntarily write this letter to give up my babies to the hospital."

We also know from her hospital records that she already had one child. In Vietnam, you must pay significant fees to the government to have more than two children. Most people do not have more than 1. Therefore, everyone we meet looks at us, holds up the "5" fingers on their hand and has a look of amazement when they confirm that we have FIVE kids. Then they say "you must be very happy!" Happy indeed.

Victory is a good way to describe this trip. Triumph!!