Every year the Sisters that work with the Hong An Association send updates with photos of the monthly recipients of the “Hong An Rice” program. Although the Association only requests updates from the Sisters once a year; they send pictures of the many groups monthly or quarterly.  So, the Hong An Association is constantly updated and can better inform the benefactors through the website and the newsletters.

          From the beginning, the Hong An Association’s focus was the poor elderly people living in remote areas. Some have children and grandchildren who are also poor or do not care about their parents or grandparents.  These seniors have no choice but to take care of themselves. But as they get older and their health declines, this is more and more difficult.  Some are fortunate to have neighbors who visit and bring food.   Otherwise, it is "heaven born, heaven care". At some point, when they can no longer hang on, then it is time to let go! Although they were selected to receive “Hong An Rice,” many of them receive only one or two bags then pass away. The Sisters and the Hong An Association are happy that they were able to visit and help these people in some way before they passed away. It is hoped they felt some love and care during their last final days.

          Below are some pictures of the elderly people and mentally ill patients helped by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Bui-Chu.

          Here are some updates and photos the Hong An Association received from the Daughters of Our Lady of Unity of Bac-Ninh.  The Association is always pleased to share the work of these Sisters who often organize long trips to help the ethnic minority people in remote areas where visitors are rare.

          The Sisters often use "encouragement" to remind and call for help from more local benefactors. In Vietnam, "rich" people are plenty, but there are only a few who care about the poor. Sadly, the gap between rich and poor in Vietnam is quite wide! The Hong An Association supports the Sisters inviting more people to help in their mission to the poor!  Reminders and encouragement are necessary because it is easy to forget to help the poor.

          Please see the following updates and photos below.

Dear Sister,

          During our COVID-19 quarantine period in Vietnam, the Hoa Thanh residents in Cong Da (Tuyen Quang) of Fr. Thap’s Parish had called us to inform us that there were some families with sick people who were having difficulty getting help.  Because we could not visit at the time, we sent dozen of boxes of shrimp  ramen noodles, rice noodles, and more rice to share.  Those who received the gifts were very grateful and sent their thanks.

           When I received the funds for the third quarter, I was very touched because even during this complicated COVID-19 pandemic, the Hong An Association is still able to send a large amount of money to share with the poor in Vietnam. On behalf of the poor from remote areas, the elderly, and all of those who receive gifts and funds, I would like to thank and wish everyone in the  Hong An Association and  the benefactors great health, peace and lasting protection by Jesus Christ.

           After the quarantine period, we were finally able to visit the poor.   Many of them were moved to tears and said: “Despite the dangerous COVID-19 pandemic,  the Hong an Association still helps us on a regular basis, we are so grateful and thank everyone in the organization and ask God to bless them in return.”

           Thanks to the remainder of the quarterly money, I was able to meet with many people to distribute food and this message:  The Hong An Association in America has always been generous towards the poor in Vietnam. They have helped many people for many years now.  Despite the pandemic, which is still serious in the US, the Association sends money to share with the poor.

          Thus, through the meetings, we shared what we received:

- More than a ton of rice.

- Many gift packages of rice noodles, ramen noodles, Bim bim (snack food), fish sauce, cooking oil, seasoning, and broth. 

          We also have help from a generous couple who goes shopping in Tuyen Quang to help us. A couple in Cong Da, parishioners of Father Thap, are ready to welcome and take us to visit the ethnic minorites of Meo.

We have arranged more than 100 gifts for three places in Cong Da, Dao Vien, Hung Loi, Tuyen Quang.

            It took the three of us from July 7-8, 2020 to distribute all this food. Due to the long distance, we left early in the morning. In the afternoon, we distributed nearly a hundred to the village of Dong Nhin. This village has more than 400 households, 50 of these households are poor.  We also visited Ngoi Khu village which has more than 20 poor households.

              Sister, these two villages and every village in Dao Vien are limited with few fields and only have a hill view. The weather is so harsh that the revenue is not much. They only know how to grow bamboo shoots.  Sometimes from morning to night, they only sell a few shoots.

              When they received the gifts, they were surprised and excited. They said, "This is too much for us...we’ll take the used clothes, because old clothes are much better than new clothes ..."

               Sister, because of the road, and traveling so far, we could only visit a few houses, and the rest of the gifts were left at distribution locations. We left the clothes there so we can use the truck the next day to go to Na Tang, Thon Lay.

              In order to truly understand the suffering of the poor, you need to visit them in person. The summer weather at noon, on the street is about 100-104 degrees Fahrenheit, it is terribly hot! We went into a house with a couple and two children in kindergarten. They live in a house with two rooms but only have one bed; there is nothing valuable around the house. The husband has a high fever and lays in bed still covered with blankets. The kitchen is right in the middle of the house, about 1.5m from the bed, how hot! There are many other families living like this, too.

               There are people picking up gifts in the middle of the day when the weather is so hot, and they do not even wear hats; they bring their children too! It looks torturous!

                Sister, after preparing for the trip and two days of sharing, everyone is tired, but filled with so much joy. We repeat the statement of the Honorable Chairman of the Hong An Association:

“Health is not everything.

But without health, everything is nothing!”

      We rejoice that we still have the health to cooperate with the Charity Association and help the poor... Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Pham Thi T.

          "Rice during this Covid period is very valuable, Sister." That’s what all the Sisters cooperating in the “Hong An Rice” program shared. A Sister said, “During a global pandemic like this, if the Hong An Association stopped funding rice for the poor in Vietnam, we would understand and not complain! But the Association continued to supply rice as if nothing had changed. What a joy! “

          The Hong An Association would like to share some pictures of the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hue (led by Sr. Tran Thi Hao) who are distributing rice to the needy. The Sisters decided to distribute the rice at places close to their homes. Those who could not come asked a relative or neighbor to collect it for them. It is a  big bag of rice, enough for three months. The bag is very heavy to carry but are everyone is so happy to receive rice. Therefore, one travels by bicycle, one by motorbike taxi. Despite the complicated arrangements, all the bags of rice were distributed very quickly and smoothly.

          Below is a thank you letter from Sr. Tran Thi Hien, a member of the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hue. She oversees the distribution of rice for 50 people who are poor and ill in Quang Tri.

          A sincere thank you to you, the Association, and benefactors. Although you are not familiar with what our poor country is like, but we have been blessed by the support of the benefactors in the past year. Bags of rice have helped our elderly and poor, overcome the sadness of their destiny to enjoy life. Especially at this moment, we know the benefactors are also struggling because of the raging pandemic. But the kindness of Hong An and the benefactors do not close with the unlucky life. This made us very appreciative and grateful to you, Hong An, and benefactors. May God grant all the blessings to you, especially the gifts necessary for you, Hong An, and benefactors, thank you from all of us.

          To you, Hong An Association, and the benefactors. Although we have not met you or personally know the benefactors, but we have experienced and felt the love and sympathy from the generous act of kindness. We sincerely hope that you and the benefactors continue to bring joy to the lives of the poor in Central Vietnam.

          Here is the story of how the Hong An Association is helping a boy named Huyen and his family in Kontum.

          This situation is so heartbreaking. Huyen is the second of six children, all very young. Nearly two years ago, he was badly burned.

           His father had sent him to buy gasoline, which is sometimes stored in bags when containers are not available. On the way home, Huyen saw his friend, who was playing with matches. Trying to playfully scare his friend, Huyen accidentally lit the bag and himself on fire. At first, the people nearby thought that the children were playing around; but when Huyen fell to the ground, everyone was horrified and rushed to help.  

          When Huyen’s parents saw his injuries, they did not think he could survive. Because of their poverty and their big family, they did not have money for treatment. But when his teachers came to visit and saw that him screaming in pain, the teachers took him to the hospital and paid the medical fees. Huyen has survived, thanks to them.  

          Nearly two years later, Huyen’s condition has improved and he is home.  He is still unable to walk because of the injuries to his groin.  The doctors say that he needs another skin graft procedure.  But there is a complication.  Huyen’s father donated skin for the first skin graft but his mother is forbidding the father to donate again because she fears for his health and the family’s welfare. These ethnic minority people believe in the "matriarchy" regime, so "the will of the wife is the will of God."  Every decision is determined by the mother.

          Sadly, the doctors have said that even with more skin grafts, Huyen's muscles and tendons shrank a lot due to the burn, so he would not be able to walk normally and will need crutches to walk.

          After visiting this family, the Sisters said, “Despite his excruciating pain, Huyen was still happy and polite. He is the smartest and brightest of the six siblings. Every time the Sisters visit, he is so glad to see them.” The Sisters wrote: “Thank you to the Hong An Association for helping us to bring joy to the less fortunate. Without the Association, we do not know what to do to help those who have such difficulties. These situations are sad!”