Nearly 5,000 people with disabilities attend a special Christmas gathering
Vietnam
(mission newswire) Nearly 5,000 disabled people attended a special gathering to celebrate Christmas at the Divine Mercy Center in An Lac Parish, Vu Thu District, Vietnam. Participants were served by approximately 1,000 volunteers, including college students.
Bishop Peter Nguyen Van De, Salesian, Honorary Member of Thai Binh, Peter Nguyen Van De, 21 years ago as a seminary professor after completing his tenure in the Province of Vietnam in 1996. Annual meeting has started. The other is to participate in recreational and cultural activities and experience the true love and joy of Christmas.
“Christmas is for all people, including the disabled, who are also children of God and should be treated with respect and humaneness,” said Bishop Van De. Bishop Van De was deeply touched by the elderly man who raised 3 million VND (US$125) from other disabled people and offered to support the event. I was.
During the gathering, participants hear stories about the church and marriage, undergo health checkups, receive medicine, ask for gifts and play traditional games, watch cultural performances, enjoy food, and more. I attended Mass. Among the Christmas presents were many new wheelchairs.
Nhan, a 34-year-old woman with complete paralysis, was brought to the center in a special bed by her relatives. She attended this annual event her 7th time. She added, “I’m happy to be able to attend gatherings where I feel loved and respected, meet other people in similar situations, and relax with leisure activities.”
Lynn was also present, and said it was her first time attending a Christmas gathering. One of his friends invited him to this Christmas event.
Bishop Van De, 76, resigned as bishop of Thai Binh last October due to advanced age. He said he will continue to hold these rallies in the future.
According to the World Bank, nearly 14% of Vietnam’s population lives in poverty. The country has seen a significant reduction in poverty over the last two decades, when the poverty rate was nearly 60% of hers. Vietnam has also made remarkable progress in education. Primary and secondary school enrollment rates for the poor have reached over 90% and her 70% respectively.
Increasing levels of education and diversification into non-agricultural activities such as construction, factories and domestic work have also contributed to poverty reduction in the country. Salesian programs offer poor children and families opportunities normally available only to the middle and upper classes, so that all can have hope for a better future.
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ANS – Vietnam – Christmas is for everyone: Initiative by Bishop Peter De, SDB and Honorary Bishop Thai Binh spreads joy among disabled people
Salesian Mission – Vietnam
World Bank – Vietnam
