Salesian parishes in Ho Chi Minh City have set up transit stations to distribute water and other necessities
VIETNAM
(MissionNewswire) Salesian parishes in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, have set up transit stations to distribute water and other essentials to people confined during a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the city in recent weeks. Those who have been quarantined have no means of supporting their families, and many rely on the help of the Salesians to manage during this time.
When a special quarantine order was issued in Ho Chi Minh City on July 9, Salesian priests and young confreres from the Rinaldi Theologate community brought drinking water to the families. They worked in collaboration with young migrants and the Pastoral Council of the Parish of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep.
Three large water tanks were transported to isolated areas, where families took water from the tanks and transferred it to special containers. In addition, basic necessities were also distributed. Other Salesian parishes in Ho Chi Minh City, including Ben Cat and Ba Thon, have also carried out the same initiative.
The Salesians of the city of Da Lat and the communities of K’Long contacted the owners of the gardens to harvest vegetables and send them to Ho Chi Minh. To date, vegetables have been sent to the theological community of Rinaldi and to the parish of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep where the Salesians have distributed them to people in need.
The pandemic situation in Vietnam remains serious. According to the Ministry of Health, since the end of April, the number of infections in Vietnam has risen to 59,165, with Ho Chi Minh City having the highest infection rate. Over the past week, Ho Chi Minh City recorded between 1,000 and 5,000 new cases every day. With the new quarantine, traditional markets are temporarily closed and entry and exit to the city are tightly controlled. Many workers and the poor are in extremely difficult circumstances.
The Archdiocese of Saigon sent a letter inviting religious communities in Ho Chi Minh City to volunteer, especially to help the health sector. There are already 531 people registered to participate. They will be trained and vaccinated before working in hospitals and health facilities.
According to the World Bank, nearly 14% of the Vietnamese population live in conditions of poverty. The country has experienced a drastic reduction in poverty over the past 20 years when the poverty rate was close to 60 percent. Vietnam has also made remarkable progress in the field of education. Primary and secondary enrollments for people experiencing poverty have reached over 90 percent and 70 percent, respectively.
Raising education levels and diversifying into non-farm activities such as construction work, factories or housework have also helped reduce poverty in the country. Salesian programs offer poor children and families opportunities that are generally only available to the middle and upper classes so that everyone can have hope for a better future.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (authorizations for use and guidelines should be requested from SNA)
SNA – Vietnam – Salesian parishes become “transit stations of loveâ€
Salesian missions – Vietnam
World Bank – Vietnam
