Reaching out - Touching Hearts

One said that Vietnam after '75 has been one of the poorest countries of the world.
While I was there until '85 - ten years in Vietnam after the fall of Saigon, it might be true...

I decided to go back after fifteen years far... far away from my homeland, nothing more than just for a visit, even for a flash visit, trying to meet my relatives, my former teachers, my friends, even my former students, and to see again my different schools - before '75, where I had been formed, many times "forged" to become a man, a human being in all the meanings of the word.
I invited one of my American friends who has been impressed since '75 by many Vietnamese refugees to the USA, especially by one of my schoolmates and colleagues who had recalled to him many things about Vietnamese people and particularly about our schools and/or the LaSalle Education System before the "changing life" event. We all agreed to choose Christmas times for such a trip to... REACHING OUT.

Unfortunately, their works for VN people since more than 100 years, have been denied by the new government, stating that "education is a government monopoly." Thus, their willing to help - just to help and/or to contribute their experiences to the education system of the government, is still very restricted, even forbidden...
Since all the establishments and schools of De La Salle Institute have been so-called "offered for educational purpose to the new government," [for more details: FSC and Schools before 75, and FSC and Schools after 75] the Provincialate has been moved to a corner of the Institution of Taberd which used to be a big school with more than 7,000 students before the event.

The famous Cathedral Notre Dame is still there, more or less decorated for Christmas Season.	before 75 : Dinh Doc Lap - Independence Palace now : ?
Evening prayer with the Community of Taberd and some resident aspirants, in a humble and small chapel which has been remodeled from "the repair of the roof... and it suddenly becomes a classroom" (cameraman Scott for the SF Convocation in '96)	Conversation with a group of students who attend the English classes in a small room of Taberd

Next day, we joined a group of young men totally committed to the service of the poor, going far away to an isolated area in Phuoc Long. Santa Claus come by a bicycle, bringing gifts/presents to poor children. They welcome him, I guess, not because of presents, but overall because it's the first time of their life, they saw such an... amazing man: laughing, funny clothes, shouting "zooooh, zoooh!!!"

These kids and their families come from Kampuchea, originally Vietnamese. They live in really poor houses; the nearest school is about 7km away: How could they go to school? Looking at these children, kinda shy smiling faces or laughing showing all their irregular teeth,
I understand what does it mean TOUCHING HEARTS!

Back to Saigon later that afternoon, we participated to a party commemorating the 21st anniversary of "freedom" - certain members of the Mossard Community were released from the so-called re-education camp 21 years ago, at the house of my benefactors who, during three years, month by month, brought food and every necessary personal items to my life in prison, despite the difficulties of their own life. Guests were some members of the Mossard Community still remaining in Vietnam, former students and friends who, by any means, supported us - especially me, during that hard time = God bless! Thank you! Thank you! - What more could I say ???

Preparing for the most joyful event of history of mankind:
Gloria in excelsis Deo - Peace on earth to all human beings
monthly recollection, evaluating and sharing the values of Community Life = Yes! We all are LaSallians!

Before '75, the MaiThon land was approximately 10ha with vast rice field, pig/chicken/quail... raising houses: a true farm which subvention the apostolic works of the LaSan Education system, especially of the service of the poor [free tuition, financial assistance, etc]. Right on the event of '75, this land has been cut off into many parts by "there were many opportunists and few men of principle," as one said.
Thanks to the assistance of SECOLI, SF District, and many other Alumni Groups from overseas, MaiThon has been rebuilt for Old Brothers and Scolasticate, within about 2ha and within 1ha for LaSalle Sisters.

The LaSalle Sisters welcome us to a pre-Christmas Eve dinner. The toddlers waiting for their parents picking them up home, have opportunity to say "hello" with a very innocent and lovely shaking hand with my American friend. Each of us received a wonderful art work - home made?

After the holy mass of Christmas Eve, we enjoyed of the "reveillon" with my old teacher Brothers. Scolastics came to wish all of us "Merry Christmas"

MERRY CHRISTMAS! All Brothers in Saigon, TanCang, Phu Son gathered at MaiThon, "together and by association" celebrated Baby Jesus' Birthday. I noticed that few Brothers were absent. I was later informed that these Brothers are still teachers in public schools, and on December 24 and 25, the Minister of Education set "exam days" - even if these days are Saturday or Sunday! = No days off on December 24 and 25! - "Just like before, I mean right after '75!", I said to myself.
I don't know how my American friend felt it, but for me, since more than 25 years, I again lived that climate of Brotherhood, and realized that "Ecce Quam Bonum et Quam Jucundum - Habitare Fratres in Unum" is a marvelous God's Blessing, and why Saint De La Salle emphasized Community Life: a family where Old, Middle Aged, Young,,, share to each other what eachone has the best of him/herself, regardless age, race - there are two Brothers from other ethnic communities, personal talents... just because "Yes, we all are LaSallians!"

After "Christmas dinner" hosted by Duc Minh Community, we joined all Brothers and LaSallian Volunteers going to the "dark streets" around Saigon to distribute presents to poor people - homeless, street kids, etc. I must recognize our Volunteers' faith and zeal = they spent all Christmas Day cooking, packing food and toys, etc. for this moment of sharing Jesus' love and peace to poor people = more than 200 rations of food : steamed rice, boiled egg, piece of cooked pork meat, vegetable, ingredients.
Divided into 10 groups of four, on two/motorbike, we advanced onto dark streets of Saigon.
My American friend in Santa Claus clothes, bearing a bag of toys, was joyfully cheered by "hello!", "Ong Gia Noen!", "hey!hey!hey!!! Santa Claus!"... of almost everyone on the streets, especially of children who besieged him and automatically put their hands into his bag and... just at the very first stop, all toys fled - well, one left! at the surprisingly but heartfelt feelings of the American who, maybe for the first time of his life, realized the meanings of TOUCHING HEARTS!
More than 20 food rations in a big plastic bag I handed with my two hands, behind the motorbike driver, were not enough for the number of poor people I saw on the dark streets. To each homeless man/woman/children, I gave a pack of food with the wish "Mung Chua Giang Sinh - Binh An cua Chua o cung Anh/Chi/Em" - Merry Christmas! Jesus's Peace be with you!
After the fourth stop, all bags were empty - but I know it, my heart and my American friend's were full of joy.

I regret that I couldn't get back to my native village in Hue - about 900km away from Saigon, for even a flash visit to my family. I called my youngest sister to come to Saigon, but unfortunately, on the road to Saigon - at Danang, she got trouble with her high blood pressure and motion-sick, she got back home. My brother's family could go to Saigon from Kontum and we were able to have a "Family Day" with my nieces/nephews and grand-nieces/nephews - some have been back from Kansas City, in Tay Ninh about 100km from Saigon.

My American friend is more than happy to join us in this trip. It made me sense that he would consider my family as his. How great and comforting it is, that spirit of LaSallian Brotherhood!

On the road to Tay Ninh, we stopped by Cu Chi Tunnels,
then CaoDai Church witnessing "noon prayer rites" of Caodaiists.

We made a tour to the Highlands and Center Of Vietnam for next 3 days.
Ban Me Thuot

LaSalle Ban Me Thuot is the first school of the LaSalle Education System in Vietnam to be "offered",
right on the first day of the communist invasion to South, March 13, 1975.

We had opportunity to stopping by DakMil where, few years ago, 3 Brothers had permission to temporarily stay and run a tutoring class. The "Sky" knows why, suddenly, all of them had to flee away and left the house empty. When we visited it, all windows were broken and the house, of course, totally empty!
In BMT, the Brothers run 3 "boarding centers":
1 for students in college;
1 for students in high school;
1 for students in junior high and some resident aspirants whose 2 are of different ethnic communities.

Nha Trang

Arrived to Nhatrang, we hastened going to Mont LaSalle, the "berceau" of the District of Saigon, where hundreds of "Ancien" Brothers, Novices, Junior Novices had lived, or forged themselves to be a Brother, or were forged by Brother Formators to be what we have been until now. From generation to generation, since 1933 to 1975...
As the car reached the front gate, the guard - politely, respectfully, and a little proudly - open the gate, at my great surprise! Entered the front gate, a Brother went talk to him something - maybe asking permission to enter the property for a visit... The guard suddenly "changed face" = angry. He made sign to the driver to immediately u-turn, kind of... "get out!" I realized that he might think, at first, that we were of a delegation from foreign country - because of the presence of my American friend. We are indeed! - Not only of a delegation, but owner of the property! Anyway, u-turning and getting out! This time, I'm no more surprised, but really saddened and hurt!
"Never mind!" said the driver, "I know how to enter Mont La Salle!" He drove along the rear and stopped at what was - I still remember, a little door to the cemetery of the Brothers. We entered = no more door, nor cemetery, but houses and houses more or less built up decently. "C'est fini!" I whispered to myself.
How can I forget Mont La Salle where I had lived for 7 years in Junior Noviciate and Noviciate? It was the longest sejour of my life in Vietnam from teenager to young-adult: except 14 years of my childhood at my native village, 7 years at Mont La Salle, 4 years at the Scolasticate of Dalat, 6 yrs 6 months at the Junoriate of Thuduc as teacher, 3 years in prison, 3yrs 6 months as ... homeless on the boat.
As we walked around Mont La Salle on "Boulevard Divy", the driver/tour guide who is a Brother too, said : "Let's go home! The more you look at this, the more you get saddened and frustrated!" - My American Brother replied : "That's true! I understand your feelings, Val.!"

The statue of St. De La Salle is still there, but where have been his disciples/brothers?

Behind the former Noviciate, there is an other statue of St. De La Salle. I heard that the Brothers in Nhatrang have requested to move it to their community. At first, the chief administrator agreed, but when the Brothers were working on moving it, an other chief nobody knows from where came and asked to leave it there...

"LASAN sounds good and interesting..." reminded me of the comment of the principal of "High School of ThuDuc" to his staff - the Brothers were there at a weekly meeting, for we continued teaching one more year before being... expelled according to a decree of the government in late '76 : "Priest, back to church! Religious, back to convent! Render schools to socialist people!"
That's about every student must bear the logo "High School of Thuduc" on the pocket of their shirt, but almost all of them didn't do it. They bear the logo "LASAN" instead. Few months later, during a meeting, the principal said to his staff: "You must do so that students love 'our socialist school' as they do love 'LASAN school'". Do they love 'socialist school' now? I really don't know!

After the dinner with former students and friends, we made a tour to visit the schools of Ba Ninh and Chu Prong, but none of us could recognize them anymore.

On the road to Dalat, we stopped by Binh Cang where a new community has been open last year. Similarly to DakMil, the local authorities granted "temporary residence card" to two young Brothers. Unfortunately, one Brother suddenly passed away. The other Brother continued tutoring at the very first day 4 kids. Few days later, the number of kids increased  by 10, then by 20, then by 50, then by 80.
Instead of appreciating their success, the local authorities forbid them to "illegally gathering kids" to their house. The Brothers looked for an other location. Where would be the best and legal if not the church? "Fine!" the priest allowed them to move 80 kids to the church facility, and so far so good up to now.
"So far so good?" - Yes for tutoring kids - No for the temporary residence permit: the local authorities suddenly called up the Brother, telling him that his "permit has been removed." - "What did I do wrong?" - "Nothing! - It's the order from... above!"

Although the house is still quasi empty: no bed, no running water, no minimum facility in terms of basically necessary for a normal life, the "farmer-like" Brother comes to the house - from times to times, to clean up and "safeguard" the property while tutoring 4-6 kids at the moment the most... safe - early morning, before going to the church facility for a larger class.

Da Lat

La Saint Sylvestre : Last day of my visit to Vietnam, New Year Eve.

The group of Volunteers supervised by DucMinh Administrator went to an isolated area, distributing more than 600 packs of rice, 10kg/package, and envelop of "Better New Year 2002" with 50,000dong/envelop to really poor families.
Just like for other "services of the poor", we really don't need the gift receivers to know who we are: bringing a smile of satisfaction and comfort to the poor, isn't it enough to express our solidarity and love for each other, as human beings?
I know the benefactors from everywhere, especially from the USA, who sent money/check with the note: "for the poor - please do not publish my name" or "for whatever you feel necessary to do..." understand more than any other persons the meanings of REACHING OUT! TOUCHING HEARTS!

While watching Santa Claus distributing packages of rice, a lady came asking to talk to me.
"My 2 years old boy have gotten heart trouble since his birth," she said, "and I need 1,800$US for his surgery... How can I have that much money? I don't even have money to bring him to hospital when necessary... Please help me!"
And she cried...
What to say? - How to comfort her? I regret I were not of that strong faith as Saint Peter: "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."(Act. 3:6)
The same case of  Huu Thien came to my mind - Why not ask those benefactors to help her? I so said to her: "I promise nothing, but I'm trying to do whatever I can. Don't worry! I hope in few weeks/months those benefactors will do something for you and your child..."
Brother Gregory knows this case and will get in touch with her as soon as he receives help from Benefactors.

[One year later, this case has been applied for the "urgent surgery", but the schedule to be in effect would be by March 2003!]

The same "Papa Noel" who has given poor families rice pack, came to a school, giving poor children toys and love...

My last stop of 10-Christmas-Days in Vietnam was the Aspirant Residence at Phu Tho. All of the Aspirants are attending college/university, preparing themselves to the Postulancy at Phu Son, more or less ready to commit themselves to continuing "Opus Tuum Domine" in spirit of together and by association with La Salle Brothers and Associates/Partners.

On the plane back home, tired but really happy, I would say
- to God = Thank You! Thank You for everything that happen to my family, to my Brothers and Sisters, to my Friends, to my Former Students, to whom I met...
- to "whom it may concern" = thank you! thank you for being to each other brother/sister, and God bless whatever we have done to each other...