The fruit of trust and healing
- Reporter: Hello Claire! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. 30 years is a long journey. What makes you most proud when looking back at the achievements of PeaceTrees Vietnam?
- Ms. Claire Yunker: What I am most proud of is not the numbers, but the relationships that have been built. PeaceTrees Vietnam's mission has never been just about clearing bombs, building schools or planting trees. We have always focused on building mutually beneficial relationships between Vietnamese and Americans, between veterans and young people, between families and communities... That is the most valuable thing.
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| Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, US Department of State Bonnie Denise Jenkins (center) with leaders of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee and Country Director of PeaceTrees Vietnam planted trees - Photo: QH |
- Reporter: In your speech at the 30th anniversary of PeaceTrees Vietnam, you mentioned the touching story of co-founder Jerilyn Brusseau and American families whose loved ones died in the war. Could you share this story and the origin of the idea of "planting peace trees"?
- Ms. Claire Yunker: Yes. Peace Trees Vietnam was born from the touching story of Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau and Mr. Danaan Parry - Americans who lost loved ones in the Vietnam War. In 1995, right when Vietnam and the United States officially normalized diplomatic relations, they established the organization with the noble aspiration: "Healing the wounds of war, rebuilding trust and friendship". In January 1996, the first cooperation agreement between Peace Trees Vietnam and the People's Committee of Quang Tri province (old) was signed, marking the beginning of a 30-year journey.
One of the initial activities of the project was that the US partners and Vietnamese friends came together in Quang Tri - the land that had suffered much pain and loss during the war - to plant green shoots and join hands to build the Friendship Park. This activity helped Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau and her partners have more hope for a brighter future. It was a day when everyone held hands and did meaningful things.
It was that mindset and vision that laid the foundation for PeaceTrees Vietnam. It is a door that opens the door for families like Jerilyn’s to connect and begin building bridges of trust and understanding between citizens of two countries.
Together for a greater cause
- Reporter: You said that the work of clearing bombs and mines and returning safety to the land requires continuous efforts and mutual trust. What does this mean in the context of the current Vietnam-US diplomatic relationship, Madam?
- Claire Yunker: Our work is a living testament to the important role that people-to-people diplomacy can play in healing the wounds of war and building trust. Through our shared efforts and goals, we have built a strong relationship.
Over the past three decades, we have together cleared and restored 46 million square meters of land, destroyed more than 157,000 items of explosives, and provided mine risk education to thousands of Quang Tri residents. Regarding community development, Peace Trees Vietnam has built 24 kindergartens, 12 libraries, and 2 community houses in remote areas and areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions; supported thousands of victims and their families through emergency medical aid, livelihood support, small loans, clean water wells, and scholarships... Each effort is a vivid symbol of our partnership. It shows that when Vietnamese and American people join hands, we can move toward a brighter future.
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| Ms. Claire Yunker, Executive Director of PeaceTrees Vietnam (4th from right) presents flowers to organizations and individuals who have contributed to the development of the organization - Photo: QH |
- Reporter: In addition to the impressive numbers mentioned above, are there any specific signs that show the results of building trust, madam?
- Ms. Claire Yunker: The most vivid manifestation is the human exchange. Specifically, PeaceTrees Vietnam has created opportunities for exchanges between people-to-people diplomatic delegations and students. Together, the hearts of peace-loving people have built and helped the Friendship Forest become a green, vibrant forest like today. Over the past 30 years, Peace Trees Vietnam has brought more than 1,277 volunteers to Quang Tri, building lasting friendship bridges between the people of the two countries.
- Reporter: Looking to the future, how will PeaceTrees Vietnam continue its mission to contribute to Vietnam's development and strengthen the bilateral relationship?
- Ms. Claire Yunker: Fostering friendship is not a one-day or two-day job. It is a long-term process and must be constantly nurtured. PeaceTrees Vietnam is committed to continuing its mission with greater determination. We will clean more fields, support the construction of more schools, create opportunities for more families to have a better life and deepen the sharing so that Vietnamese and American people can understand each other better and become closer.
Together, we will continue to look forward to the next 30 years with the same trust, dedication, and hope that inspired us from the beginning. This journey belongs not just to PeaceTrees, but to all of us: our partners, volunteers, and the entire community who have worked together to create miracles.
- Reporter: Thank you!
Quang Hiep (performed)
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202510/giam-doc-dieu-hanh-peacetrees-vietnam-claire-yunker-sows-mam-niem-tin-hy-vong-tren-manh-dat-chiu-nhieu-dau-thuong-4c40c17/
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