erika bennett

I want to start off by expressing how excited I am to have the opportunity to go on this thrilling trip filled with new people, food, culture, and experiences. I am always looking for an exciting adventure; and, what better way to experience a different culture than through service!


To start out with a little about myself, I am currently a student at Virginia Polytechnic University going into my junior year, studying biochemistry. I love being a part of the Hokie nation. As part of the Hokie spirit, sports such as football and basketball play a huge role in my life. There is never a home game I will not attend. The intriguing fast paced thrill of the sport is probably why I am a big fan of skiing and snowboarding. Having family living outside of Boulder Colorado, you can guarantee that I find any excuse to hit the Rocky Mountains during ski season. 

Besides sports, music is another passion of mine. I have been a part of the Virginia Tech woman’s choir enjoy and many high school choirs, district choirs, and state choirs. I also enjoy going to musicals on Broadway such as The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King. Music, for me, is very cathartic. There is nothing like playing the piano, the ukulele, singing or listening to the radio after a stressful day on campus. 

Whether it is my love for the beauty of nature like the mountains of Colorado, the exhilarating rush of sports like Hokie football, the healing sounds of music, or the excitement of gaining knowledge and experience, I cannot wait to contribute something as a team member and volunteer. 

kimberly specht

Chris & Kim

Hi, I am Kimberly Specht.  I have just finished my first year of nursing school at College of Marin in Kentfield, CA.  I live in Petaluma, CA with my better half, Chris and son, Devin.  I have two lovely step-daughters, Tiana and Brittney.  I love to swim, run (when my knee permits) read, learn, travel and gamble...seriously, I love to play poker, blackjack, roulette, and bet the ponies!  :)  My favorite pastime though is spending time with my family!  
 

Devin & Kim

     I am unbelievably excited to go on this mission to    Vietnam.  I am thrilled to be able to help the Vietnamese people, and visit their beautiful country.  I am excited to meet all of my COPI    teammates, and am certain I will come home having made great new friends and feeling enriched and fulfilled from our experience.

 

Cheers,

Kimberly 

gail poll

My name is Gail Poll. I live in Las Vegas with my husband, Bob. I am a retired money manager, and I keep myself busy with travel, reading, hiking and working with the non-profit community in Vegas. I met Binh about eight years ago through a mutual friend, Tami. We had dinner at Tami’s house, and Binh prepared Vietnamese spring rolls that were delicious! Tami accompanied Binh on several medical missions, and produced the video that Binh uses to demonstrate COPI’s goals and accomplishments.  Bob and I have traveled together to Thailand, Cambodia, China, India, and Singapore but this will be my first time in Vietnam.  I am thrilled that I will be sharing this experience with my sister, Diane, and my nieces, Annie and Iris.

Bà Gay and Cô bình

Gay: I am a retired senior - my husband and I spend eight months in Henderson, NV (by Las Vegas) and four months in Jackson Hole, WY.  We really do have the best of both worlds.

I am very active - love tennis, hiking, Frisbee golf and I work out daily with weights and treadmill.  I have three adult daughters and two grandchildren that are 20 and 22 years.  This trip to Vietnam will be my 9th mission.  Over the years I have come to love both the people of Vietnam and the beautiful country.  And of course Children of Peace is so very close to my heart.  What our "leader", binh rybacki does for the people of Vietnam is so amazing.  She is so deliberate and so hands-on with how the organization is operated - that is truly the most efficient "non-profit" that I have ever been involved with, and believe me - I have been involved with 40 years of volunteering in Jackson Hole and have even been employed by non-profits, and Children of Peace is the best!  And that is why I just keep going back each year and had decided to join COPI board of directors in 2012.

Binh and I have grown very close over the years - the photo I have submitted is of binh and I at her son's wedding in August 2009.

I look forward to meeting all of you very soon - Look for me at the International Terminal in LAX

Bà gay (means Mrs. Gay in Vietnamese)

binh – I am binh rybacki, Founder and ED for Children of Peace International.  This year marks 20th years we are serving Vietnamese children and people in need.  My husband, Jack and I live in Loveland, Colorado.  Our oldest son, Preston and his wife, Shannon are working and living in Saigon, and our youngest son, Spencer is working and living in Chicago. 

Children of Peace International is an all USA volunteered organization serving over 7,300 children presently.  We have a wonderful "army" of volunteers from both USA and Vietnam.  We are grateful for every hand that joined us to lift the children and people in our care out of poverty and oppression.  

Joining this mission from Vietnam are our medical and dental doctors and helpers.  We also have the blessing of having a few children who we raise from toddler or children who are our scholarship recipients of many years.  They are all in college and they are ready to join us to "pay it forward".

We can't wait to serve side by side with you. 

Peace be our journey (cool running)

binh (bing) aka cô bình of the children in Việt Nam 

maya harris

Hi. My name is Maya and I'm 14 years old. My mom is Terry Gesulga the nurse. I was adopted from the Good Shepard Orphanage in Vietnam when I was 6 months old. I am a cheerleader at Redwood High School in Marin County and I also like to paint and draw. This is not my first trip with COPI, this will be my third and I can really say that it is an amazing experience and it is very life changing. What I love about the mission trips, is that you get to experience Vietnam in a special way in which you wouldn't be able to as just a normal tourist. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and being back in Vietnam :) 

lauren little

Hello Everyone!   My name is Lauren Little and I am a 23 year old medical student at the University at Buffalo.  I just finished my 1^st year of school and will be starting 2^nd year right after Vietnam.   I am a native of Boulder, Colorado and would like to one day return to practice Family Medicine in the area.  I am an avid skier and cyclist and dog lover (I have a 12 year old Chocolate lab named Candy).  I chose to participate in Copi because I love international medicine, learning about different cultures, and helping other people and would really like to continue this one day after medical school and residency in the Peace Corps.  I can’t wait to meet you all and embark on this amazing journey!

annie jackson

My name is Annie Jackson. I just graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Interdisciplinary Sculpture. In the fall I will begin a Masters program in London at Christie's auction house that focuses on modern and contemporary art. 

I am very excited for this upcoming trip! I have heard wonderful things about the COPI mission and Vietnam as well and I am thrilled to be a part of the team. 

In 2012 I was lucky to take part in a 6 week study program in northern India. The experience really opened my eyes to a whole new culture and made me excited to see all different places in the world. And I can't wait to share this next experience with my mother, sister, and aunt!