23 Nov SOWING SEEDS OF HOPE FOR “INVISIBLE CITIZENS” AT THE BORDER
The currents of history carried the children of Vietnam far from their homeland to the rivers of Cambodia, where they built simple homes along the gentle banks. Their lives flowed peacefully in rhythm with nature, filled with days of fishing on the river, bountiful harvests in the fields, and strong bonds of community.
But then, political turmoil arose, disrupting their peaceful existence. Forced to leave their beloved ancestral homes, many Vietnamese families decided to return to their motherland, seeking the familiar border region of Tây Ninh. Carrying hopes for a new life, they longed to reunite with their families and start anew on their native soil.
However, the journey back was never easy. A harsh reality awaited them: the lack of legal identification documents. They suddenly became “invisible citizens,” lost in the currents of life. Unable to register their residence or obtain identity cards or household registration, they faced countless difficulties. Without papers, they couldn’t find stable jobs, and their children couldn’t go to school. This precarious existence forced them to wander from place to place, even back and forth between Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Handmaids Sow Seeds of Love
The image of innocent children, instead of carrying school bags to class, wandering the streets and struggling to make a living, has become all too familiar. These children are not only deprived of their right to education, but also limited in their ability to develop essential life skills. Their future is gradually closing, and the potential of a young generation is being wasted. Touched by these unfortunate young lives, the handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Vietnam found their mission in Tan Bien district, Tay Ninh province. Their loving hearts were moved to action, embodying the spirit of “Handmaids of Christ, Handmaids of all” to sow seeds of hope in these young souls.
Most of the children who come to our class grow up in extremely difficult circumstances. Some have been abandoned by their parents, relying on grandparents or relatives for support. Some witness domestic disputes and endure harsh language from their loved ones. Others live in dilapidated boarding houses, lacking love and proper guidance, easily influenced by bad habits.
Seeing their childlike faces, we are further motivated to do something to bring them a better life, a brighter future. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and be loved.
Nurturing Dreams
Understanding this, and with the desire to give these children a brighter future, we, the Handmaids, nurtured the first “love class” in 2019. Starting in the area of Thanh Linh Church in Tan Bien town, we gradually expanded our activities to neighboring areas. Now, with all our enthusiasm and love, we are accompanying 80 students aged 6 to 14. They are divided into three small groups, studying in three different locations: Thanh Linh Church, the community, and the cultural center. Each learning group is further divided according to different levels, so that the children can learn most effectively.
We strive to be dedicated teachers and mentors, not only fostering knowledge but also nurturing the souls of these children. More than just imparting knowledge, we want to sow in their hearts the seeds of love and good values, so that they can confidently walk through life.
Overcoming Challenges, Cultivating Hope
One of the major obstacles is the formal recognition of the children’s learning outcomes. Although local authorities have acknowledged our contributions and mentioned support for organizing exams, there is still no official document or specific support for us to conduct effective assessments. We long to find a solution so that the children’s learning efforts are duly recognized, opening up more opportunities for learning and development in the future.
In addition, the lack of facilities is also a concern. Classrooms with limited space and restricted equipment make us eager to provide a more spacious and well-equipped learning environment. Maintaining a stable teaching team is also a challenge that requires careful consideration, as our human resources are mainly sisters with various other missions.
Moreover, most of us come from different professions and have no formal teacher training. Each lesson is a challenge that requires flexibility, creativity, and much thought to find the most suitable method for the children in our love class. But it is their innocent and eager eyes that are an endless source of motivation, urging us to constantly strive and improve ourselves to impart knowledge and cultivate good values in them.
And perhaps, the biggest challenge is building a formal school for the children. This dream always burns in our hearts, but with a limited number of students, many of whom have to move constantly, is building a school the optimal solution at this time? Besides, policy barriers and paperwork for families and children also cause us concern and anxiety.
But it is their innocent and eager eyes that are an endless source of motivation, urging us to constantly strive and improve ourselves to impart knowledge and cultivate good values in them.
Steady Steps on the Mission’s Path
The educational spirit of Saint Raphaela and the first Handmaids that we spread in Tân Biên has been and is being guided and protected by God. By the grace of God, we have received valuable support from the pastor of Thanh Linh Church as well as the approval of the local authorities of Tan Binh commune since November 2023. This is an important milestone, marking the end of the difficult days when we had to constantly move teaching locations, from rubber plantations to precarious rented places, or relying on the yards of kind families, sometimes even facing difficulties from the authorities.
Not only were we provided with classrooms, but the local authorities also entrusted us with the spacious courtyard of the community area so that the children could have a comfortable play space. The love and openness of the community have given us more strength on this meaningful journey.
Now, more and more families know about our small class and entrust their children to us. Parents are not only impressed by the knowledge that the children learn, but also deeply perceive the positive change in their personality, confidence, and maturity. Our class is always filled with laughter; it is a place where friendships are nurtured, where small souls are loved and supported.
In addition to useful lessons, we also organize interesting extracurricular activities, attracting children to class more regularly. Even many children who have to sell lottery tickets take the time to stop by the class, attentively absorbing the lessons before continuing their journey to earn a living.
With the spirit of “educating from the heart”, we, the Handmaids, are always enthusiastic and passionate about imparting knowledge and cultivating good qualities in the children. They are divided into small groups according to their level, which makes learning more effective. We always encourage good behavior, gently correct inappropriate behavior, and help them form positive habits. And it is a true joy to witness them gradually change, learning to love, cooperate, and share more. Not stopping at the classroom, we also spend time visiting and understanding the circumstances of each child, especially those in difficult situations. The bond between teachers and parents is becoming closer and more open. Home visits not only help us understand the children better, but also encourage families to participate in class activities, working together to build a good educational environment for their children. Realizing the love and sincere care that we have for their children, many parents have changed their perspective, paying more attention to their children’s education and appreciating the meaning of education more.
The dream of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Vietnam is that this spontaneous educational model will increasingly develop into a formal educational program, giving children the opportunity to learn, develop comprehensively, and have a brighter future. We believe that with the companionship of the community, benefactors, and authorities at all levels, that dream will soon come true.
Thanh Thảo, ACI
Thanh Linh, Vietnam
