In 2015, five orphanages continued to receive support from VNHelp. These orphanages cared for 422 children. VNHelp was able to connect sponsors in the US to 282 of these children. Besides providing the fund for food and education, we also funded regular English and computer classes at the orphanages.
Computer classes for orphans Children from Dieu Giac Orphanage
Children from Thien An Orphanage Children from Tu Hanh Orphanage
In November 2015, 328 patients received free eye surgery at Saigon Eye Hospital. The patients were from low-income families in Cà Mau, Đồng Nai, Đồng Tháp, Long An, Tây Ninh, Tiền Giang, Vĩnh Long, An Giang, Bình Phước, Bình Dương, Đồng Nai, and Vũng Tàu. Most of them suffered from cataracts while some had pterygium. Besides free surgery, the patients also received free lunch, transportation and post-op care. This surgical mission wouldn’t have been possible without the generous contribution from Mr. & Mrs. Thomas & Trang Nguyen (Orange County) and Son Nam Charity Group (San Jose). In total, 699 cataract patients were benefited from the VNHelp’s Vision for the Poor Program in 2015.
Patients gathering at the waiting room Pre-surgery
Program Banner Post-surgery
629 students in all over Vietnam are granted four-year scholarships by VNHELP for the 2015-2016 school year. The Nguyen Truong To scholarship program has helped thousands of university students from impoverished backgrounds complete their bachelor program. Below are some photos of the scholarship award ceremony that just happened at Sai Gon University of Theater and Film (Truong Dai Hoc San Khau Dien Anh), where 254 students from six universities gathered to receive the grant. Other scholarship locations are Ca Mau (30 recipients), Can Tho (120 recipients), Hue (150 recipients), and Ha Noi (75 recipients).
Performance by students from at Sai Gon University of Theater and Film at the ceremony
Awarding the scholarships
Happy and talented faces on the stage
Bên thềm năm mới
Tôi viết thư này gửi đến các bạn trong lúc mọi người đang háo hức đón tết Bính Thân. “Ông Táo” vừa được tiễn về trời; nhìn hình ảnh từ Việt Nam gửi sang thấy chợ tết thật đông vui; tại vùng San Jose các bánh chưng, dưa món, bao mừng tuổi… đang được bày bán nhiều nơi. Năm nay đối với tôi dường như không khí tết có phần vui hơn mọi năm, có lẽ vì lòng tôi cảm thấy hân hoan khác thường.
Tôi cảm thấy hạnh phúc vì mấy hôm nay VNHelp nhân được rất nhiều email của các sinh viên từ khắp các tinh Cần Thơ, Sài Gòn, Huế, Hà Nội… viết những lời cám ơn và chúc tết; tôi thấy phấn khởi vì một số ân nhân bảo trợ đang chuẩn bị cùng đi Việt Nam với tôi một tuần sau tết để khánh thành 2 trường học và nhà máy nước; tôi mừng vì năm 2016 sẽ đánh dấu 25 năm hoạt động của VNHelp!
Nhìn lại những thành quả tốt đẹp của VNHelp trong năm 2015 cũng như trong suốt 25 năm qua, tôi xin được bày tỏ lòng biết ơn sâu sắc nhất đến các ân nhân ủng hộ tài chính, các thiện nguyện viện góp sức góp công, các đối tác tại Việt Nam nhiệt tình hợp tác, và các thân hữu luôn khuyến khích tinh thần. Nhờ mỗi người một tay mà VNHelp đã lớn mạnh không ngừng và đã tạo được nhiều thay đổi tích cực trong cuộc sống của người dân nghèo.
Xin thay mặt những người nhận sự trợ giúp của VNHelp tại Việt Nam, kính chúc các bạn năm mới An Khang Thịnh Vượng.
Đỗ Anh Thư, viết trong ngày 24 tết
Welcome the New Year
I am writing this letter while Vietnamese from all over the world are getting ready to welcome Year of the Monkey. As Tết is the most important holiday in Vietnamese culture, through pictures I can feel the festivities on the streets and in every home in Vietnam. In the San Jose area, where VNHelp is located, Vietnamese Americans also keep the tradition; new year food, flowers, and red envelops are displayed in almost every store. This year I feel Tết is more joyful than previous years. The mood of Tết seems to be more delightful to me personally, and I know exactly why.
I am happy to receive so many emails from our scholarship recipients expressing their gratitude and new year wishes to VNHelp and our donors. I feel encouraged because some VNHelp’s sponsors are preparing to join me in my upcoming working trip in Vietnam. And I am proud to see VNHelp celebrating its 25th anniversary this year; step by step the organization is growing strong and continues to create positive impacts in Vietnam.
Recounting the VNHelp’s achievements in 2015 and in the past 25 years, I am thankful for the support VNHelp has been receiving from so many people. We wouldn’t have accomplished what we set out to do without the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our volunteers, the collaboration of our local partners, and the kind words of support from many friends. Everyone has assisted us in different ways, but all share the same goal to help the needy in Vietnam. Your special ways and generous heart make a beautiful difference. Thank you!
May Year of the Monkey bring you good health, happiness, and prosperity. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Thu Anh Do
In 2014, 209 women in Hop Hoa Village, Tam Duong District, Vinh Phuc Province took out small loans from VNHELP’s micro-finance program
For a person with a physical disability, Vietnam’s traffic is immobilizing. The lack of basic infrastructure can make commuting a daily struggle for those with disabilities, and public and private facilities have no accommodations for those who need it. We distribute free wheelchairs to disabled individuals so they can get their lives going. In 2014, VNHELP and ABS Foundation distributed wheelchairs to 20 disabled individuals in Hue Province and offered 3 months of vocational training in sewing, embroidery and carpentry. See photos here
In 2015, 209 women in Hop Hoa Village, Tam Duong District, Vinh Phuc Province took out small loans from VNHELP’s micro-finance program
A restaurant sponsored by VNHELP was opened at the Kien Giang Vocational College in 03/2014 to serve students from low-income family. The restaurant opens 5 days a week. Each day it serves 300 meals and students pay only 2,000 VND (about 10 cents) for a meal. See photos here.
Although Vietnam escaped Typhoon Haiyan relatively unscathed compared to the destruction that tragically wrought the Philippines, there were still many people in central Vietnam whose lives and livelihood were devastated by the event.
VNHELP initially wasn’t sure if we had the resources to help the typhoon victims in Vietnam, but thankfully, with support from the Compassionate Service Society, the Quy Nhon Charitable Association, and individual donors, we pooled together enough funds to go in and make a true difference.
We’ve been helping typhoon victims with food and financial assistance, and we’ve been checking in to see if we can play a role in recovery efforts. It’s humbling to see the light of hope return to people’s eyes as they realize help is there for them. We’ll update this post as more info about the relief efforts comes in from Vietnam, but for now, check out some of the pictures below!
You’ve probably heard of Black Friday and it’s digital cousin Cyber Monday, but have you heard of Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday first began in 2012. It was started by 92Y, a community center and nonprofit organization in New York City. The folks at 92Y observed that in the U.S., there’s a day to celebrate thanksgiving and two whole days to indulge in shopping, but no day to celebrate generosity. Why? Generosity has been a backbone of culture and society, but rarely does it receive the limelight. So Giving Tuesday aims to change that by dedicating a day to giving. It’s a day to encourage one another to give to charity and think about how we can best put our dollars to use helping others in need. Giving Tuesday always falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Thursday, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. This year, it is December 3rd, 2013.
At VNHELP, we hope you’ll give to your favorite charities, both ones doing work locally and globally. We hope you’ll consider making a donation to VNHELP as part of your Giving Tuesday plans too. We sincerely appreciate it.
Happy holidays all!
