She stood and grinned at the camera. She laughed, covered her toothless little face and waited for me to take another picture. My heart felt as light as a feather looking at Hong's (her name means Rose) adorable playful face. The children at Martineau Village stared at me curiously, some hiding behind their parents. I know a good way for them to smile for me, big giant smiles too! I took a picture of them and showed it back to them immediately on my little digital camera’s screen. They cheered “Look at Cu Teo” and giggled, and when I asked to take another picture, they immediately grinned or formed some silly pose, just to rush back to me to see their pictures…A silly game we continued to play that gathered a little crowd of children and a lot of crisp, innocent laughter.
Hong (Rose) and Martineau Village's children - 2009
As I walked through the Martineau Village (about an hour from Phan Thiet) for the first time my mind drifted where Rose used to live. She and her family, among 19 other families, had lived next to a dumpster and used it as source of income. They dug through trash to find little plastic bags, trinkets, old pillows…anything they could sell for a little money or use to patch up their shelters. A family had found and used a foul smelling mattress, one that belonged to a person who recently passed away. What do mothers think of their future and their children’s future, when they only make pennies from selling little plastic bags to a few street vendors, not enough to buy rice for the day? What and where would Rose be when she turns18, living where she used to live? I couldn't stop wondering.
These 2 photographs are courtesy of CCSS. Taken in 2008 of families living near dumpsters, before moving to Martineau Village.
Early 2008, 19 families were brought to Bishop Paul Nguyen Thanh Hoan’s attention, he had no idea they were living off of a dumpster. Dreams of a better life were dreamt for them, knowing Bishop, who is like a Mother Theresa of Phan Thiet. Grant letters were sent out by Sister Cecilia, who belonged to the Community (Community of Charity and Social Services or CCSS) which was founded by Bishop Paul. We need to get them out of this area fast, but where, and how? It’s not easy to keep asking for money, people are leery of donating, so much charities and organizations nowadays asking for money already. They’ll have to find a piece of land where they can build homes and the homes themselves would cost money.
With prayers and faith, a few grant letters and a few months later…
Mrs. Martineau from Virginia, USA, has never been to Vietnam. Her first donation a few years back, consisted of 30 pigs to Bishop Paul, totally changed the livelihood of hundreds of villagers in Phan Thiet. Most donors’ concerns are whether their money was put to good use and with clear communications between her and the Community, she could watch the pigs farm provided bountiful good results for the villagers. Knowing her money had gone to where it was needed most, even during a recession and the stock market was tumbling, she sold her remaining stocks and made another donation to build the 19 homes for these families. In December 2008, the Community started its Houses Of Love project, 19 homes were built, and the village was named after its donor. The families moved into their solid cement new homes which can sustain bad weather, leaving behind their old patched-up homes and the heavy stench of the dumpster, only made worse in the rising Vietnam tropical heat.
Another donor installed a water filtration system for the village.
Walking to Martineau Village
Bishop Paul Nguyen Thanh Hoan and Fr. Nguyen Khac Hy from Baltimore, MD, US examining the newly built homes.
First baby born in Martineau Village, 2009
Having a home is a big start but how will they survive? What can they/will they do for a living? “We need to give them the fishing rods, not just the fish.” Bishop told me. There’s never enough fish to give, but the fishing rod will reel in more fish.
Checking out the pig pens he recently built for the villagers, Bishop nodded contently. The pens were clean meaning the pigs will grow fast and healthy; more money will be made when the pigs are sold. With each family receiving 6 pigs and grains from the Community, the villagers have done what Bishop asked them to do: Clean and feed the pigs twice a day. In about 2 months, the pigs will be heavy enough to be sold at the market and the villagers will make and keep the money from the proceeds. The sum will be twice a teacher’s salary. For the first time, these families could stand on their own feet, regaining their dignity.
Bishop Paul (in white cap) checking out the recently built pig sties. A clean sty helps pigs grow faster.
Bishop Paul and Martineau villagers greeted each other.
Beautiful smiles from Martineau Village - 2009As for me, I dream a simple dream for Rose and the children gathered around me. She’ll eventually get to go to school with her friends, she’ll be proud to read her parents her first book and write her first short paragraph. I looked around to see the smiles on everyone’s faces, thanking God for this blessing of being among so many roses in what used to be a desolated, hopeless place.
I could see Sister Cecilia staying up late in front of her laptop writing letters as more letters asking for donations will need to be sent out, more gala dinners to host to fund raise for these children’s welfare. The Community and Vietnam Dream For Success (VDS) are working to get these children scholarships since school is not free in Vietnam. These organizations also provide room and board, school supplies for the children who have to study away from home. The goal is to eradicate poverty with education, one child at a time.
A child’s laughter brought me back to the presence. A Rose I’ll always remember!
Hong (Rose) from Martineau Village, July 2009
Theresa Le
July 2009
For more information on Houses Of Love project (and photos) please visit: http://bacaixahoi.org/HousesofLove.html
For donations and The Community's contact: http://bacaixahoi.org/DonationsContact.html
