Project 026 - Aid to Vietnam

Quang Na Blind Association receive 15 chess sets from a gift of £100.

A gift of 9 radio sets were received from the Somerset Blind Association. The radio sets were redundant in the UK.

The Somerset Association of the blind have also kindly given other items which were no longer needed here.

There is not much room in my case for clothes when I go on my travels! Soft toys and gifts for sponsored families are always welcome but should be small, light and clearly labeled.

Mrs Nguyen Thi Minh in Quang Nigai Province outside her new house. Her children were at school when we visited. She is a widow.

Siloam providing Christian love to the elderly, the poor and those with visual impairment in Vietnam.

'I am suffering in pain, rescue me, O God by your saving power.' - Psalm 69:29

Dear friends

I have been visiting Vietnam for more than 5 years, usually going in March and October for two or three weeks each year. During this time, through the 'Tin Lanh' (Good News) Church and Siloam's Representative Tran Cong Duc, I have developed a good relationship with 'The Charity Association of Da Nang, Tam Ky and Dai Loc'. Frequent visits are also made to the Blind Association of Quang Nam province.

My bags are often packed with items which are redundant in the UK but desperately needed in Vietnam. But, sometimes it makes more sense to buy things in Vietnam e.g. chess sets made especially for blind people. Unfortunately, I can only carry a small number of items each time. If you have gifts to send to your sponsored child (see project 043), I am happy to take them providing they are easy for me to carry and are clearly labelled.

We also assist in the building of houses for the elderly, disabled, or folk living in very difficult financial circumstances. These people are referred to Siloam via the church, another aid agency or the commune authorities. Siloam's Representatives are usually invited to assess the situation by the Charity Association concerned before a final decision is made. We visit the family before the new building is started and again on completion. Relatives are encouraged to assist and the families are allowed to stay in the same place if they wish, and if it is appropriate for them to do so.

Because it is expensive and time consuming as well as difficult to administer, we only build a few 'Houses of Compassion' at a time. In two years, we have completed 16 houses and a further 17 are in the pipeline. This includes 5 apartments for some families currently living in Ai Nghia Market in Dai Loc. It costs around £650.00 at present to build a 'House of Compassion' for a family in dire need.

We are only helping a few out of many but the Lord has blessed those we have assisted. It has been a good Christian witness to help a few people in Vietnam with our limited budget. But, just think what we could do if more funds were made available or if someone left a legacy to Siloam to make this ministry on-going.

Just consider when you pray today how you should help the folk in Vietnam. You are unlikely ever to meet them although one of our supporters in April 2007 visited his sponsored child and their family. These children live with their own families, usually only one parent, rather than in a hostel like our other projects. So, it is relatively easy for us to have a continung programme and regular contact with these children

Whatever you decide to donate to Siloam, just take time to dwell on how we are looked after here in the UK even if we all moan from time to time about the National Health Service. If that help was not provided, we would be in the same situation as many poor families we are helping in Vietnam.

Thank you on behalf of the poor, the elderly and the young in Vietnam.

DON FOSTER
SOUTHEAST ASIA VOLUNTARY REPRESENTATIVE FOR SILOAM