St. An’s Orphanage

I’m backtracking a bit here and I meant to do a post about St. An’s but got a little sidetracked by the weather. We’re doing fine by the way, and it looks like it’s going to be a pretty day out on the Ha Long Bay. We just found out that there’s no boat permits today so we won’t be cruising the bay.

A few months ago I was asked to join the board of Project Being There, and of course since it helps orphans in Vietnam, I was delighted to accept the invitation. Project Being There (PBT) is a  non-profit agency.  One of its main projects is supporting St. An’s orphanage in Nam Dinh province through school sponsorships for the kids, building needs, etc. This was the first time I’ve had a chance to visit St. An’s and I absolutely fell head of heels for the children.

The orphanage itself is incredible. It is a Catholic orphanage located on the property of a huge cathedral. The church was founded by Spanish missionaries in 1852. It is the largest Catholic orphanage in the country and receives children from all over the northern provinces. Living on the property are ladies becoming nuns, some women who are already sisters, and a wonderful priest named Father Joseph.

Father Joseph was a hoot! I could tell from his interaction with the children that he truly loves the kids and that they love and admire him. It wasn’t the feel of the big authoritarian who they must obey, but more of a father who dotes on the kids and loves to have fun with them. Because of his care and concern for the children, he does not allow the kids in his orphanage to be adopted, internationally or locally, because of the fear that they could be exploited. They are cared for to the absolute best ability of the sisters, but the sisters to children ratio makes it difficult for the special needs children to be cared for individually around the clock.

One of the goals PBT has is to hire a local whose only job would be caring for the special needs children. This would help the special needs children as well as the sisters who are caring for so many kids.

On this trip Deb and I delivered the backpacks that the teenagers from Erin Presbyterian Church bought for the kids at the orphanage. The kids LOVED them and were excited to get them. As soon as the kids got their backpacks, Father Joseph stood up and told them all to smell them. He said, “Smells like America!” Of course they all buried their noses in the backpacks and took a big sniff. It was too funny!

The kids put on a performance for us, singing and dancing, some as a group and some individually it. It was really cute. When they were done they gave us this blank stare. Father Joseph then asked us through our translator if we wanted to show the kids our talents! hahahhaa We politely told them that we had no talent, which is the truth! Then he asked us to make a speech. Nothing like being put on the spot in front of everyone. I stumbled through and made it. I think our interpreter (who’s been amazing by the way) filled in what he thought I should say. I know he said quite a bit more than what I had told him to.

We got to spend some time getting to know the little children and the special needs children. The other kids had to leave for school – taking their new backpacks with them. They were all precious with big smiles.

If you’d like to know more about Project Being There and the work we’re involved in please visit our website: http://www.projectbeingthere.org/