In the beginning of 2020, the Hong An Association provided financial assistance to underprivileged students in Lam Dong (Central Vietnam) In addition to the scholarships, the Hong An Association donated 30 bicycles for the students who live far from school.
Sister Nhung Nguyen, the mission office director of the Sisters of the Witness to Faith of Lam Dong, explained how she used the contributions:
“I have visited students and their families and distributed 30 bicycles already. From the day I received the funds for the bicycles and scholarships, I worked diligently to find qualifying students. These students were very appreciative. But some of our students live far away on steep hills and must walk because riding a bicycle is too dangerous.
Due to their family’s difficult situations, some children had to quit school at the beginning of the school year (August 2019). I did my best to persuade the children (1st and 2nd grade) to go back to school. When the parents and children agreed, I took the children back to school. But the school hesitated to accept the children because the school year had already started. I was able to convince the school to make an exception for these children due to their circumstances.
The school administration relented and accepted the children with open arms. Thanks to donations from the Hong An Association, I was able to help these children with tuition, books, and transportation. Now they can focus on their education without any worries.
Besides the donation of 30 bicycles from the Hong An Association, there were also scholarships. I was able to give: 1 million VND (about $44) to six children who are very poor. I also gave 100 scholarships to other children. The amount was determined by their circumstances: Some received 100,000 VND (about $4.50), and others received 200,000 VND (about $9). With the rest of the funds, I was able to buy school supplies for other poor children living about 20 miles from the Sisters’ house.
Please continue to pray for me and the Sisters. Let us live as well as the Lord and the Church desires.”
