Orange Helpers

Robert Schuessler and Phan Thi Truyen participated in the Orange Walk from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi in April/May of 2008.  The walk, which was to support Agent Orange children living along the route and to publicize the situation of Agent Orange families in Vietnam, inspired them to start an NGO to serve these families.  In September, 2008, Orange Helpers was incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois in the United States.

Mr. Schuessler has had a career operating a business in the United States and also extensive experience in philanthropy, working with US NGOs on issues of community development, education and socialization of poor children, and small business development.  Miss Truyen is a journalist by training and was born and raised in Phu Yen province.

Because of Miss Truyen’s background and familiarity with Phu Yen province and because of many Agent Orange victims, but little NGO presence there, Orange Helpers decided to concentrate its work there.