Though 2021 was another year under the pandemic, Bridging Hope was able to raise enough income to support the women and children as they requested. Many thanks to our faithful and generous friends and donors, especially to the Sisters of St. Francis, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, Sisters of Blessed Virgin Mary, and friends at Christmas for Breakfast (C4B). Our solid collaboration has strengthened the Bridge of Hope for us here as well as for the women and children in Viet Nam.

1. MAI TAM CHILDREN

Since 2007, Bridging Hope started a breakfast program to support the Mai Tam children who are also victims of HIV/AIDS. This is to keep the children maintain their good health to fight the disease. Currently, Bridging Hope provides daily breakfasts for about two hundred and eighty children, who are residing at both: Mai Tam Center and the community.

2. CỒN ÉN SCHOOL and DAYCARE

Preschool-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 season. 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. Since 2009, Bridging Hope has provided nutrition and education for approximately seventy children.

3. 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.

4. 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. 

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 with medication, tuition, and nutrition to help improve their lives.

6. 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. Since 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 local staff, Bridging Hope provides nutrition and healthcare to improve their physical and mental health.

9. CỒN ÉN TEACHER SALARY

Located in the Mekong Delta of Viet Nam, Cồn Én Teacher Salary is another program at Cồn Én School. Since 2014, Bridging Hope has provided salaries for 8 teachers. In return, the children receive good care in a safe and nourishing environment. Partnered with the BVM Sisters, Bridging Hope will continue this program this year.   

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.