In the summer of 2022, Innovative Allergy and RDPT Boutique partnered with TranScience for a mission trip to Nha Trang, Vietnam. With the help of relatives working at a small shop, Rilina learned of Phuong Tuong Pagoda, an underdeveloped orphanage sheltering many abandoned children in urgent need.

When Rilina and Dylan arrived, they found makeshift living spaces built from junkyard scraps, including metal sheets, and no proper roof to shield the children. Many of the kids did not attend school but were eager to learn. With the assistance of their great aunt, Rilina and Dylan communicated in Vietnamese and taught the children basic English during their visit.

The team also encountered several babies who had never received care from a physician. Thanks to Dr. Dat Tran and Holly Phan-Tran, the infants were given their first professional health assessments.

After meeting with the head monks to discuss ways to help, TranScience and RDPT Boutique organized a school supply drive back in the United States and began searching for an English teacher, following the model used at My Hoa Pagoda. In the meantime, a cash donation was provided on behalf of TranScience and RDPT Boutique to address immediate needs.

Rilina delivers a $5,000 donation from RDPTBoutique to the head monk of Phuong Tuong Pagoda, funds from 25% of the shop’s proceeds that made the mission trip possible and will provide school supplies and a teacher.

Dr. Dat Tran introduces the orphanage to RDPTBoutique’s Etsy shop, whose donation of 25% of proceeds made the mission trip possible and will help bring school supplies and a teache

At Phuong Tuong Pagoda, Holly Phan-Tran comforts an infant after a health assessment, while Dr. Dat Tran examines a young child—both receiving professional care for the first time.

Gathered with the monk and children at Phuong Tuong Pagoda, the team captured a group photo to honor the visit and their pledge to bring an English teacher and essential school supplies.

With their great aunt translating, Rilina and Dylan sit alongside children displaying their found and donated toys, joyfully trading the English word for “dinosaur” with its Vietnamese equivalent.