Five thousand children “at work” for Christmas at the Pastoral Centre in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Min City (AsiaNews) – As Christmas approaches, the Pastoral Centre of the archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh Coty is busily involved in social activities in favour of some five thousands children living in difficult situations, which includes kids who are blind, living in the streets or ill with HIV/AIDS. In the city their number is as high as 100,000.
The centre, which is run by Father Peter, hosts a number of small shops that sell items the kids make at the centre itself and elsewhere. The centre has thus become a place for kids to socialise but also to get work experience and learn new skills.
“It is moving to come here and listen to Christmas carols sung by our disabled friends from centres run by NGOs and religious organisations,” said Sam, a 14-year-old girl.
The centre welcomes kids from every religious background, but its efforts are devoted especially to training disabled children. The missionaries are trying to develop skills in them that would make their life more independent in both practical and economic terms.
La Kim Linh, a 16-eyar-old girl studying at a vocational training centre for the disabled in Hoc Mon district, said “my dream is to be independent, not a burden on others. I want to find a job and take care of myself.”
“Today I came to meet my friends who are my loving and peaceful family. I want to share the joy of Christmas. Here I have many friends, Buddhists, Protestants, Atheists. They all come here to enjoy Christmas.”
Father Peter, the pastoral centre’s director, told AsiaNews: “We Catholics welcome children with difficulties who want to help themselves and support each other”.
The centre’s many activities include training blind children, teaching them to use computers for the blind and learning Braille writing and reading.
“I have lived and studied at the Thien An Warm Shelter since 2000,” Diep, a blind girl, told AsiaNews. “Now I am studying music, learning to use the computer for the blind and the Braille language. I am also working. Today I played the organ for other children. I am happy to be here.”
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09/03/2006
