THANH BACH’S STORY
Lunar New Year 2020
Dear Friend,
I want to take the opportunity of this New Year to share with you a wonderful story of Thanh Bach’s recovery.
I first met Thanh Bach in August 2012 when she was about 9 months old during a site visit of Bridging Hope’s elder program in Phan Thiet. She bore a distinguishable lump on her left cheek. Within a short time, the lump had grown immensely from the size of a cop ball to that of a baseball. With an inadequate income and no source of healthcare support, I knew that if the child’s condition would be left untreated she could be put in serious danger. With the help of volunteers and friends, we were able to coordinate a trip for her to see Dr. Williams in Hanoi for a medical examination. Since the tumor was too early for surgery, Dr. Williams recommended to simply wait and to continue her treatments at the Children Hospital in Saigon.
In the spring of 2018, I revisited Thanh Bach. She was now almost 7 years old. When asked about the surgical plan, her mother said that the hospital kept encouraging them to wait. I couldn’t help but wonder whether they were making her wait longer than necessary due to their poverty and inability to pay. At this point the child appeared to be suffering both physically and mentally from the tumor. In addition to physical pain and discomfort, Thanh Bach had quit school because of being tormentedby her peers.
I shared with Fr. Toai, director of MaiTam Program for HIV patients in Saigon, Thanh Bach’s condition. With the help of his staff, we were able to arrange for Thanh Bach to receive surgical treatment at one hospital in Saigon. Miraculously, the surgery was very successful and completed in June 2018.
Thankfully, the work on Thanh Bach’s involved many hearts and hands. All of these efforts came together to form a miracle that brought together people two worlds apart in an effort to change one young girl’s life forever.
Thanh Bach’s story is clearly an example of the power of people working together for a worthy cause. Yes, it takes a village or maybe it takes a world coming together to raise a child!
May your heart be overflowing with New Year blessings! May the New Year bless us with wholeness and peace!
Executive Director
Gratefully,
Sen Nguyen, OSF
CHRISTMAS FOR BREAKFAST
Christmas for Breakfast originated with a group of families who decided to make Christmas gift giving more meaningful to their children.
Instead of extravagant Christmas celebrations and gift exchanges, the families used the money they would have spent on Christmas presents to provide breakfast to children in an elementary school in the rural province of An Giang. The small sacrifices these families made in turn made a big difference in the lives of those children, whose family often can only afford to give them one meal a day.
Since 2007, Christmas for Breakfast have garnered the support of more and more friends and families. Each year at the beginning of November, we gather at our annual benefit luncheon to enjoy the wine, food, and music in great company. Through participating in the silent auctions, live auctions, Angel of Hope donation, and purchasing of unique THREADS items, our guests contribute to the funds needed to provide meals to over 300 disadvantaged children for the following year.
NEWS & EVENTS
Oct. 7, 2017 – Scene-01 On this beautiful sunny fall day, Bridging Hope organizes an annual Art & Vietnamese Cultural Fundraiser Event. More special than usual, Bridging Hope celebrates its 10th anniversary!!
Friends, We’re going to have a full house this year!!! This is wonderful. Please check below for further up date information.
Friends, I am writing regarding a sponsorship opportunity with Bridging Hope’s 10th Anniversary Art & Vietnamese Cultural Fundraiser Event on Oct. 7, 2017. During the event we will celebrate Vietnamese culture and art with cocktails, lion dance, dinner, entertainment, live and silent auctions. There were about 300 guests last year. Bridging Hope has received abundant […]
It was a busy last few days… PR for Bridging Hope’s mission at Đại Hội Thánh Mẫu (the Vietnamese Marian Conference) in Carthage, Missouri. It was a good opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make connections with new friends. It was a successful event. With the help of volunteers: Chị Lộc, Anh Ninh, Chị […]
Summary Thank you for journeying along with me to visit Bridging Hope’s programs! Hope one day you can really walk with me to touch the soul of Viet Nam and its people. Again, thank you! In closing the trip, I would like to invite you to watch the video, “Hello Viet Nam.”
Cồn Én Day Care is the last site visit for this trip. I invited a friend from Saigon, KimDung, to come along. We rent an SUV and left the hotel around 4:00 am. It’s about 5 hrs drive one way…
While I was in Saigon, I visited the children at Mai Tam Center. Most of the children here are suffering from HIV/AIDS. In collaborating with the Christmas …
Since 1991, Sen has worked with the women of the THREADS co-op, most of them suffering from polio. Sen bought their embroidery, clothes, and other products to sell in the US …
Arrived in Saigon on the same day I left Phan Thiết. The next morning I visited Củ Chi. Located in the Northwest of Saigon, Củ Chi a suburban district of Saigon, Viet Nam…
After having lunch with the Sisters, I took a day public bus from Đà Lạt to visit the elder program in Phan Thiết. Arrived there around 6:00 pm. I had a check-in with all the volunteers…
Did you know?
Secure Bridging Hope’s mission for the future by leaving
a gift in your will.
Did you know?
Your donation to Bridging Hope may be matched by your company! Check it out with your company’s Human Resources Department.
Amazon Shoppers
Select Bridging Hope as your nonprofit. Amazon will donate 0.05% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Bridging Hope. So, shop
Your donation can have a dramatic impact on women on children
in Vietnam.
