"In 1988 Katie Kelly took a vacation in Vietnam that was to become the first step of a larger journey. That Christmas in Ho Chi Minh City, Katie met her first Amerasian child, Kim, selling peanuts and postcards to tourists--an encounter that left a lasting impression on Katie, one that would change her life forever." "Katie returned to New York but she could not forget the young casualties of the Vietnam War. In early 1990 she quit her job with NBC, packed her bags, gathered what few educational supplies she could find, and flew to Saigon. With some thirty-year-old teaching experience and a lot of gumption, Katie set off to aid these forgotten children." "She was soon confronted with the harsh reality of entire families living under staircases, children getting barely enough food to survive, Amerasians living on the streets because their families did not want them or were ashamed of them. It was a deeply disturbing experience. Here were children barely existing yet hungry to learn. They craved learning English as the first step in their dream of coming to America. In this makeshift world, classes were often held anywhere--on the streets, in bars or parks, in a dentist's office, or at the beach. Teaching equipment consisted of road maps, catalogs, or simple things such as a glass of milk. Due to the language barrier Katie often had to demonstrate ideas such as sitting up and lying down. Her experiences were as funny as they were poignant." "Katie was not just a teacher, she was a student as well. She learned not only about the lives of the children but about herself and her capacity to survive under debilitating circumstances and continue her mission. Her involvement with the students went far beyond English lessons. She became, as they called her, their "American mother."" "Katie took her students beyond the classroom to explore the beauty and culture of Vietnam. Throughout it all she was moved by the children's unflagging cheerful spirit and their great desire to come to the United States and pursue the American dream, including that most elusive dream of all--finding their American fathers." "Even though Katie has returned to America, her heart is with the children she left behind, and her hopes are with the children she helped to leave Vietnam." "A touching, compelling, and often hilarious memoir that will touch your heart."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved