Like most other children growing up in the United States, I took many blessings for granted. I had loving parents who provided me with a comfortable home, nutritious food, warm clothing, and lots and lots of toys. It never occurred to me as I got ready for school every morning that education was a privilege. At Thanksgiving time, and when I reflected about my situation, I felt grateful to God for all of these things, but I honestly could not imagine life without them. Naively, I assumed that other children were as fortunate. Now I realize just how blessed I really was.

Last summer, through the generous assistance of Father Tran, SVD, I had the opportunity to visit the orphanage in Kontum as part of my experiences in Vietnam as a volunteer teacher. I was accompanied on this journey by some Dominican sisters from Tam Hiep, Bien Hoa who were in my English class. At the orphanage, I met children who had none of the advantages that I had enjoyed growing up. Their plight really touched my heart.

The orphans live in crowded conditions with only plastic mats to sleep on; they have no sheets or blankets or pillows. Many are undernourished because the limited quantity of food they receive is of poor quality. Some of them suffer from terrible skin rashes because of malnutrition. These children have only one or two sets of clothing, and few of them are lucky enough to have sandals or shoes. When cold weather comes, they have no coats to wear. Like all children, the orphans love to play, but all the toys that they have are a couple of dirty tennis balls, a jump rope and some broken-down playground equipment, barely enough playthings for one child, let alone 50+ children! Their situation is tragic.

Because the children are so poor, they cannot attend school. For this reason, the nuns who run the orphanage have attempted to convert a broken down pig shed on the property into a small classroom, but it is woefully inadequate. The space is cramped, with about 14 small desks pushed together as closely as possible because there is a gaping hole in the roof. The children have no books, nor pencils, nor paper. That the children are able to learn at all is due to the loving efforts of the sisters who care for them.

Among the underprivileged, the orphans in Kontum are particularly at a disadvantage. They are desperately poor, and because they belong to ethnic minorities from the Highlands, the government offers them little support. The children who live in the orphanage have either been given up by parents who are unable to care for them, or have been rescued by nuns following the death of their mothers. In many Highland communities, when a mother dies, her infant is buried alive with her body according to tradition. Whenever the sisters hear that a mother from one of those communities has passed away, they hurry to save her baby in time.

I cannot emphasize enough how dedicated Sister Helene and the other sisters at the orphanage are in their care for these children. They work tirelessly, with limited means, sustained by little more than their strong faith in God. Although the orphans have few material comforts, they do not seem unhappy. They joyfully laugh and dance and play, just like other children. The love and guidance that the sisters provide uplifts their spirits, even in their poverty.

If your heart has also been touched by this story and you would like to help the sisters provide for these needy children, please send your donations to Father Tran, SVD. His Vietnamese Charitable Organization will ensure that the orphans receive your generous gifts.

(Emily Embree is an ESL teacher at Divine Word College)