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
TODAY IS COLORADOGIVES DAY! Support the women and children in Viet Nam, please consider Bridging Hope 5320 N. Columbine Rd – Denver, CO 80221 – bridging-hope.org – (303) 477-0309
Hello Friends, With the intention to keep the Bridging Hope’s spirit and mission alive, Bridging Hope is going to have a virtual art session directed by Fr. Trung Pham, SJ. Please see the below for details. The topic of the session is SUNBREAK! Please bring a photo of this topic. Let us know if you don’t have […]
Visiting MaiTam – Though a friend and I already participated the Easter Vigil with MaiTam children and adults, and take Ti to have fried chicken for lunch, this visit is more “official.” We went to visit after lunch on Sunday so some of them were still sleeping; others were watching TV. On a regular day, […]
Have some times on Easter Sunday, I took Ti, a little girl at MaiTam out for lunch. I asked her what she wanted to eat. Her reply: “I want fried chicken!” So we had lunch at KFC. Hadn’t eat there for many years. Ti came to MaiTam when she was only about a month old. […]
Entry # 1 – Elder Phan Thiet I am in Viet Nam to do some site visits all the programs sponsoring by Bridging Hope. Arrived on Wednesday, so far I have visited the Elder Program in Phan Thiet. Collaboration with local volunteers is one of the Bridging Hope’s approaches. The women volunteers of the elder […]
Oct. 7, 2017 – Scene-09 Bridging Hope is grateful with many blessings from benefactors and friends. At this 10th anniversary, we want to thanks each one for faithful walks along with us to raise and empower the Bridging Hope’s women and children in Viet Nam. This song for you! (Đình Bảo sang live but we […]
Oct. 7, 2017 – Scene Moving along with the night is a dance “Áo Dài Quê Hương” sang live by Đình Bảo. In contrast with the Lion Dance, the ADQH dancers portray a grace-filled and resilient gentle strength of Vietnamese women. This is one of their best, so far. Go, BH’s dancers
Oct. 7, 2017 – Scene-07 It’s a moving moment when Bridging Hope offered tribute to Pat McGuan. A dedicated board member, Pat generously contributed his talent and energy in building Bridging Hope’s mission. Below is a citation wrote and read by John, a long time friend of Pat, Maggie, Andrew and Emily. In Memory of […]
Oct. 7, 2017 – Scene 06 Beside the intention of raising funds to improve the lives of women and children in Viet Nam through building relationship locally, Bridging Hope is also strong in encouraging young Vietnamese to know and embrace their heritage. The song “Isle of Tears, Isle of Hope” sang by Đình Bảo and […]
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