Many times when the Hong An Association follows up with the Sisters in Vietnam, they are informed that some recipients replaced others on the “Hong An Rice” donation list. There are many reasons why the Sisters replaced the old recipients with new ones. Some of these reasons are: A recipient has passed away or moved to another place. Another reason is that their family members stepped up to take care of them in place of the Sisters. They felt the responsibility to care for their elderly family members and they had the full potential and capability to do so.
The poor old people are often considered as a burden to the family and to the society so they are neglected and abandoned. Sometimes their children are also poor or work far from home, so they are unable to help much. Often there was a change of attitude when they noticed the Sisters visiting and giving the rice to the elderly every month. The family was shocked and questioned themselves, “If the Sisters, who are outsiders, can care for my parents and grandparents, then why can’t we?” Slowly, the children started to visit their elderly to take care of them. Then the elderly people asked the Sisters to give their rice to another person in need. Isn’t that wonderful? It is more than the Hong An Association could wish for!
In the beginning of 2019, the Sisters of Bắc Ninh shared stories about the Bicycle Donation program for the poor students initiated by the Hong An Association. They also shared pictures of the Sisters visiting poor villages and distributing warm blankets, clothes, and food.
The Sisters stated: “Sister, I have sent you many photos showing that miracles do happen for the unfortunate and poor! I told people that although many benefactors live in America, the Hong An Association still cares about the poor and elderly people in remote areas in Vietnam. Now the Association is donating 
35 bicycles to students in need. By sharing these stories, people started to give items and food for the poor! Thanks be to God that the Hong An Association is bringing joy to the families and helping students continue their education. Thank you, Sister and the Hong An Association.”
When referring to the state of Vietnamese society, the Hong An Association would like to quote a passage from the homily of Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Kham of the Diocese of My Tho and General Secretary of the Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference. This is the sermon on the Second of Lent and refers to the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ7kO8uqA4I):
“… Once Vietnam was independent and free. Brothers and sisters, is it enough or do we still need a new outlook today? Is it enough or do we need another solution today? This country is already independent and free, but it still seems unfair, the gap between the rich and the poor is growing; families are breaking down more and more; dishonesty is everywhere, including in schools and hospitals. But when dishonesty and cheating are everywhere, can human life in society be peaceful and happy? So, the question we ask today is: Do Vietnam and the people of Vietnam need a new outlook? Are we truly free? Then we discovered political and socio-economic freedom are essential, but the deepest source is the freedom that comes from within the human heart which Christianity calls inner freedom…. ”
