“Peace – that was the other name for home.” Kathleen Norris

The Peace Homes initiative is a natural extension of our
work to promote peace and understanding.

We work with our partner, the Vietnam USA Society, and local government officials to find needy Vietnamese families who need either a refurbished home or a completely new one. Sometimes the homes are constructed in the areas where our fathers died. Others are in cities, where the need is great. The homes typically cost between $2,500-$4,500 USD each, with the price based on whether we’re refurbishing a home or building a new one, and if the location is easy to access or in a mountainous area. 

To date we have built 10 Peace Homes in the Quang Tri area in the middle of the country, An Giang Province and Ho Chi Minh City. We have two more currently scheduled in 2023, but many more families are in need. 

The Beginning

Susan Mitchell-Mattera originated the idea of a Peace Home. She had traveled to the An Giang province in 2015 and 2018, and was struck by the state of the homes in the village where her father died in 1970, and the condition in which families were living. 

“At first it seemed like such a big task, but when I told people that I wanted to build a home for a family, a whole community came together in support. Gold Star children and wives, my church community, family, and so many friends of the 2 Sides Project all contributed to make not just one but five homes possible. Now we can share in the joy of seeing these smiling faces. Our fathers would be proud we are turning tragedy into service to others."

The Latest Peace Home Recipient: The Cong Family 

Social Studies Teacher Erin Sullivan and the high school students in the P4 Club at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Delaware recently raised funds to build a home for the Cong Family, who live in Ho Chi Minh City. 

The club is focused on raising money and awareness around important humanitarian issues. When they heard about the Peace Homes, the students got really excited. When they saw the state of the Cong Family’s current home, they kicked into action. 

The Cong Family house was in really bad shape, and constantly flooded. Now the family of 5 have a flood-proof, brand new place to call home. There was enough money left over to cover even more: study desks for the children and a few new appliances. The desks in particular will come in handy. The oldest son recently won an award in a national computer science competition, and the middle child wants to become a doctor. We expect great things from the 6 year old daughter, too! 

We asked the Congs about their favorite part of the new home.

They paused, looked around, and said “Everything.” 

Other Peace Homes

FAQs

What is the process to build a Peace Home?
We first talk about where you’d like to help build a home, or for what type of family. Some people want to donate to the family with the greatest need. Others specify they’d like to help elderly people, or families with young children, or those with a handicap. We’d have a conversation at this point too about your goals for fundraising, so we have a budget in mind when we start work with our partner in Vietnam, the Vietnam USA Society, to identify and get the details about potential families that meet the criteria. We usually get a few options of families, along with specific cost estimates, and you make a choice from there. After that, we send the official documentation to Vietnam, get a timeline for the home, and wire the money so that construction can begin. Then we wait for the first pictures celebrating the start of construction! We keep tabs on the progress and then organize a formal handover ceremony so you can watch the family receive the home.

Are donations for Peace Homes or other donations to the 2 Sides Project tax deductible?
Yes. The 2 Sides Project is a 501c3 organization with a Federal Tax ID number, which we provide upon receipt of a donation. 

What if I can’t raise enough money for a home? Is there something else I could do?
Absolutely! You can contribute to appliances for a new home, education for children, small furniture and other things. Just specify on the donation form how you’d like us to direct your contribution: to the construction of the next Peace Home, supplies, or anything else.

Interested in building a Peace Home?
Please contact 2 Sides Project Founder Margot Carlson Delogne at mdelogne@mac.com.

I want to support the U.S. side including U.S. Veterans. What can I do?
One idea is to find organizations that support finding homes for veterans, such as the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.