As we have realized, the world-wide pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. Consequently, the annual Art and Vietnamese Cultural Fundraiser Dinner for the women and children in Viet Nam had to cancel last year. However, Bridging Hope was able to facilitate a few small fundraisers such as senting donation letters out to friends and supporters, online auction, etc. which allowed us to continue supporting the women and children this year, though with 25% less funds than originally proposed.

Many thanks to many generous friends and donors, especially to the Christmas for Breakfast (C4B) in Orange, California.  Our solid collaboration has been a source of strength of hope for us here and the women and children in Viet Nam.

1. PHÚ HOÀ ORPHANAGE

Since 2018, Bridging Hope assumed sponsorship of the Phú Hoà Orphanage in Vịnh Thông Tây, Quảng Ngãi to care for thirty abandoned children.  During their time at the orphanage, the children are well cared for and able to go to school.  This enables them to get jobs once they leave the orphanage.  Bridging Hope works with a local group of Sisters to provide the children with nutrition and tuition.

2. MẰNG LĂNG ORPHANAGE

Located in Mằng Lăng Village, Phú Yên, Mằng Lăng Orphanage houses thirty-three orphan children and eight disabled adults.  Collaborating with local staff, Bridging Hope provides nutrition for adults and children, plus tuition for the children.

3. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Located in Gò Thị, Bình Định City, this After School Program provides tutoring to approximately 50 underprivileged children who struggle with school, mostly the result of poverty.

4. THIÊN PHƯỚC ELDER CENTER

Located in Mũi Né, Phan Thiết, Thiên Phước is another of Bridging Hope’s elder programs.  This year Thiên  Phước houses thirty-nine homeless and/or underserved elderly women.  Partnering with a local staff, Bridging Hope provides nutrition and healthcare to improve their physical and mental health.

5. THÔNG XANH ORPHANAGE and SCHOOL

Located on the outskirts of Đà Lạt, Thông Xanh Center provides daycare and education for thirty underserved children and thirty-two orphans. Over 90% of the children are of the ethnic minority from the highlands of Viet Nam.  Collaborating with a group of the local Sisters, Bridging Hope provided the children medication, tuition and nutrition to help improve their lives.

6. ELDER OUTREACH

Homeless elders are a growing population in Viet Nam.  Younger generations are leaving their villages in search of better economic opportunities elsewhere.  As a result, the elders are left vulnerable without the traditional family support network.  Since 2012, Bridging Hope, together with a local Vincentian Volunteers Women’s Program, provided meals and healthcare for forty elderly women living in the Phan Thiet community.

7. CỒN ÉN SCHOOL and DAYCARE

Pre-school aged children live on the island of Cồn Én in the Mekong Delta of Viet Nam.  The children are often hungry, unsupervised, and unsafe, especially during monsoon reason.  Desperate for the safety of their children, parents asked the local Catholic church to open a daycare and school that would provide a safe environment, and childcare for the children while their parents are at work.  From 2009, Bridging Hope has provided nutrition and education for approximately seventy children.

8. MAI TAM CHILDREN

Since 2007, along with supporting the Mai Tam mothers, Bridging Hope started a breakfast program to support the Mai Tam children who are also victims of HIV/AIDS.  Currently, Bridging Hope provides daily breakfasts for about two hundred and eighty children.

9. DAILY BREAD (MAI TAM MOTHERS) PROJECT

Located in Saigon, Daily Bread is a program at Mai Tam that works directly with women who are HIV/AIDs positive.  From 2007, collaborating with local staff and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Bridging Hope has provided daily nutritional meals to twenty mothers, and supports Mai Tam’s capacity to provide other programs such as housing, healthcare and vocational training.

10. THREADS’ WOMEN

Since 1991, Sr. Sen has worked closely with the women of the THREADS co-op, most of whom have polio.  Sr. Sen bought their embroidery, clothes, and other products and sold them in the U.S. Now, as they are getting older and experiencing problems that come with age, they are no longer able to produce the work they once did.  Bridging Hope continues to support them with food, medicine, and emergency help.