In May, Kaithlyn McNab and Kirstin Del Beato from Mary Ward International had the privilege of travelling to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to meet with the Loreto Sister community and experience one of our newest supported projects, the Vinh Loc learning support program. Here, Kaithlyn shares her observations and insights from the visit.
Over two days, we ventured to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Vinh Loc program, which offers foundational education to children, many from migrant families. Each morning, we were welcomed by the children’s bright smiles as they began their day with songs and educational games.
Led by Sr Ai Thien and supported by Yen, both qualified teachers, the program aims to enhance the lives of children not enrolled in local government schools by providing them with access to basic education, personal development opportunities and nutritional support.
The need was identified by the Sisters more than four years ago after they started volunteering in Vinh Loc. Informal tutoring commenced in 2020 but soon had to cease due to COVID-19. In 2023, the Sisters restarted the tutoring group, which had grown into what is now the learning support program by the start of the Vietnamese school year in September. The program has now expanded into two classes, with the children divided according to their ability.
The migrant families have come to Vinh Loc, on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, from the north of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta and Khmer ethnic minorities. Once agricultural land, the main sources of income for families now living in Vinh Loc are factory work, construction, collecting street-side recyclables, driving moto-taxis and selling goods on the street.
Many parents don’t consider education for their children as they never went to school themselves. They don’t understand the value of education, and their children end up working on the streets to help support their families.
Many cannot afford school expenses or move frequently in search of work, making it difficult to obtain the right documentation for their children to attend local schools. Adding to this challenge, government schools have large class sizes, with some students falling behind and dropping out of school.
The Vinh Loc learning support program aims to enhance literacy and numeracy skills among children, setting them up for a better future. Meanwhile, Sr Kim Thoa actively engages with the community, rallying parents and community members to embrace the value of education and its life-long benefits.
During our visit, it was evident that teacher Yen is experienced and cares deeply for the children. She is very patient, tailoring lessons to meet the needs of individual students and providing one-to-one support. We learnt that Yen came out of retirement to teach at Vinh Loc due to her love of teaching. She has seen improvements in the children; they behave better in class, listen to their teachers and follow directions. She believes the community is now working together to encourage and support children’s education.
Although the Vinh Loc Learning Support Program is still in its early stages, we had the opportunity to visit a well-established program that supports children who are unable to attend government schools or who have fallen behind. We also visited a school for children with hearing impairments. These visits offered valuable insights into the growth and success of similar initiatives, providing the Sisters leading the Vinh Loc program with a strong foundation to learn from and build upon. Investing in the education of all children undeniably equips them with the confidence and aspirations needed for a brighter future.
This commitment to education was especially evident as we navigated the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City, where the daily hustle and bustle reflects the rich tapestry of local life. From the early morning hum of bikes and horns to the bustling local markets divided into sections for fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, and a whole array of noodles and sauces, we gained insights into how education can transform lives in this dynamic environment.
We were fortunate to be guided by the Loreto Sisters in the Vietnamese community – Sisters Ai Thien, Vi and Kim Hoa – who introduced us to new and familiar flavours and dishes. They took us to their favourite spots to sample Vietnamese delicacies, much to their delight. We returned home with full bellies and lasting memories of women doing remarkable things to improve the lives of their communities.
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