A Family at a Time

At HSCV, it is important for us to share the consequences of our donor support. Often, people wonder what impact their dollar has made when they contribute to an HSCV program. Sometimes it can be hard to find the words, or even the pictures, to justify these differences. In preparation for Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day, we thought we would introduce some of the families that inspire our work, and your donations, and let their challenges and dreams speak directly.

Like many of us, Tu and Nga Nguyen dreamed of owning a new house to raise their son, Tai. The one they lived in was literally falling apart, and they figured that by working hard and taking a few chances, they’d be able to save the money needed to rebuild. So Tu traveled to Hanoi where he found work as an unskilled laborer and together, they began to pursue their dream. In, 2005, they learned that they would be welcoming a second son into their family. However, just as the new house was being completed, Vinh was born prematurely and with a serious heart defect. Vinh needed urgent medical care; he was mal-nourished, and unable to consume sugar. Though they had a roof to call their own, the Nguyen family was faced with mounting medical bills, far beyond their earning capacity.

Since HSCV first met them in 2012, things have begun to improve for Van, Nga, Tai and Vinh, with the allocation of a rice sponsorship that gives the family one bag of rice per month to supplement their diet. A single bag of rice seems like such a simple thing to many of us and yet it is the simplicity of the sponsorship that works so beautifully. In Vietnam, rice is the primary element in any meal. The rice sponsorship has allowed the Nguyen family a small measure of financial respite. Tu and Nga are able to save money for other essential things, including an education for their children Vinh and Tai. While many see this as a fundamental right for children, many families simply cannot afford the modest funds required, and additionally, need their children to stay at home and support the family in the rice fields.

Despite these small successes, the immediate future is still very uncertain for the Nguyen family. Vinh requires constant medical attention and Tai is still unable to afford to attend school. The rice sponsorship is essential in giving the Nguyen family the best tools to fight these challenges. For the moment, HSCV is able to fund their sponsorship through general funds; however, it is vital for us to raise money for our rice program, so that families so that we can continue to support the Nguyens. This is why the funds raised on Give to Max Day are so important. For $200 we can continue to support the Ngueyns for the next year. Please help us reach our goal of $3,000 to support the Nguyens and 14 other families like them. 

Visit http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Suppport-Families-On-Give-To-The-Max-Day to schedule your donation. Please contact Annetta De Vet at Annettadevet(AT)hscv.org.