HO CHI MINH CITY — During the current pandemic, the Diocese of Nha Trang in southern Vietnam is increasing its outreach towards people in need, especially the poor, regardless of their religion.
Parish branches of Caritas are leading the way in providing services in local communities. In areas where medical services are inadequate, the Catholic charity has become involved after years of talks with local authorities.
This is the case in one village, Võ Cang, on the outskirts of the city of Nha Trang, where Caritas opened a medical clinic on 20 October 2018 in Bình Cang parish, near the convent of the Sisters of the Pure Heart of Our Lady, a diocesan congregation that has trained doctors, nurses and pharmacists to serve patients.
The clinic is called Mẫu Tâm, that is, the “heart of the Mother”, a reference to Our Lady who brings comfort to all those who suffer.
It is a small medical facility, close to everyone, with the active collaboration of lay staff, both Catholic and non-Catholic. Every day more than 120 patients receive free medical care.
In remote areas, home to some 36 ethnic minorities, many parishes organise special trips for seniors and the sick, whatever their religious affiliation, taken to this clinic and other centres for medical treatment, including examinations.
Local authorities are very proud to have this clinic in their district. Since its opening, more than 7,000 people have used its services.
In Nha Trang, the diocesan Caritas and local parishes provide food to hundreds of poor families or families with disabled members. Each received 10 kilos of rice per month.
The diocesan Caritas has also provided scholarships for 85 children from families with parents suffering from AIDS and supports three houses for the poor in Cam Tâm, a municipality in Cam Lân district.
Thanks to some benefactors who donated items still in good condition, special shops were organised for the poor in which items like bicycles, mopeds and TVs were sold for a token price.
At present, most congregations in Khánh Hòa province are engaged in charity and social works. For example, the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross have opened three social centres to care for 250 orphaned, street and disabled children.
The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent run soup kitchens for the poor. The Congregation of the Pure Heart of Our Lady have classes to teach hundreds of poor children. The Sao Mai Social Room takes care of the education of disabled children and helps women with AIDS.
Phú Nhèn parish has built the Đèi An house in the town of Cam Ranh to care for 40 orphans, while Đèt Set parish helps the poor repair their homes. Most other parishes in the diocese have established scholarships to help poor children of all religions.
Provincial authorities in Khánh Hòa have expressed appreciation for the activities of the Diocese of Nha Trang, noting that many lay people and faithful participate in socio-economic and cultural activities, contributing to the development of the Church but also of local communities.
