video clip 1 nhat hong school for blind;Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation ; who; hai ngoai, USA; american; catholic; tinh yeu;nguoi mau;Hollywood Video; thoi trang; tu thien; giau va ngheo

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It is unknown how many more visually-challenged children are underserved or neglected in Vietnam. Many also suffer from other disabilities besides vision impairments and require special education and care. Just as many possess tremendous talent and potential to live productive and happy lives if only they can receive the proper training and care. The efforts of the Foundation to support, maintain, and develop more programs for blind and sight-impaired children are just getting started!

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In January of 2008, Fr. Thuan and twenty friends of the Foundation visited several of the schools and residences supported by the BVCF. Meeting these special young people ranging in age from 5 to 22 years is an inspirational experience for every guest. The warmth, enthusiasm, and courage of our special friends demonstrates the tremendous success taking place in these Foundation-supported facilities and programs.

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The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by hundreds of friends who give much of their time and wealth throughout the year to assist in BVCF fundraising efforts. Every year the Foundation holds a benefit luncheon with silent and live auctions and raffles. A lively family atmosphere blends different cultures and faiths in a single effort to help our very special children live promising lives in Vietnam.

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Over the past ten years, the Sisters opened other homes and career development centers for blind and sight-impaired children. They initiated a number of outreach programs to aid families with young blind children at home, particularly in remote areas. Other groups of Sisters and volunteers have opened homes, schools, and healthcare centers for visually impaired children in other areas of Vietnam. The BVCF has continually provided funding for these programs and facilities.

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The Nhat Hong home was the back end of a divided house, accessible through a narrow serpentine alley. The house required improvements to accommodate the many residents, and not to mention food, clothing, and educational materials for the children. Fr. Thuan's initial fundraising attempts gave birth to the Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation (originally named the Nhat Hong Foundation) in 2000.

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A long-time friend of Fr. Thuan, Sister Nhuong was not shy about requesting for financial assistance from the Vietnamese community in California.

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It was not long before other children with various sight impairments came to live with the Sisters, and Nhat Hong ("Sunshine") School was established. Sisters soon went off to school to learn Braille, and to learn how to educate and care for blind and disabled children.

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Little more than ten years ago, very little assistance was available to children with severe vision problems in Vietnam. Sister Nhuong, recently "retired" as Superior General of the Lovers of the Cross of Christ Sister of Thu Duc, encountered two blind orphans living on the streets outside the Sisters' residence in 1993. Without hesitation, she took them in and her Sisters set to work caring for them and teaching them basic life skills.

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The Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports

health, education, and career development programs that enhance the quality of life

of visually-impaired children residing in Vietnam