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- OBV Children
Extracurricular activities for the children of OBV have been finished, but the images of them running, jumping, laughing, somehow are still in my heart. What impressed me most was the moments when in the end of the day, the children were sitting in a circle to think about themselves.
In the circle, the silence, the melody, the heartfelt spoken words... all of that made the children and me think. To help us forget all about the world outside uncle Sy told us to close our eyes, relax and reminded us to think about our families, about our beloved ones, about the time that we made the others sad and disappointed. And just like that, the melody, the silence, the sentiments, the questions were repeated over and over again in our heads, and stuck in our mind.
Hi everybody, today I have a story about a girl that was enticed by a boy.
Late one afternoon, TA (the girl's name) was used to going to Church. One day, she went to the church as usual, but unlike the other day, she still didn't come back home yet even darkish night. Her mother worried about her missing daughter so she went near the church where all the lights were turned off already to look for the girl. The mother kept running to girl's friends house to find her but the girl still wasn't there. TA's friends said that she had gone around the church so the mother immediately came back. She found the girl in the back yard and heard the kids' talk in low tone. Turing on the flash light and she saw her daughter was standing with the boy (neighbor) in the bushes.
October 1 St.Therese as a Feast Day of aunt T and 3 kids in the house.
Unlike previous times, this time mother N wanted to make a surprise so she scratched at herself -from buying flowers, gifts even cooking.
Ms.T: let me give aunt T a present.
Ms.H: Mom, have you brought any things yet? I have got the perfect gift to give to ...
In 6 months (from Jan-Jun 2016), the OBV Cambodia family had 5 old children and 3 new children. Actually, we adopted 8 new children but 5 children weren't in the OBV Cambodia family anymore. The first one came back and joined in the OBV in Vietnam (Huong's case). The others were 14-15 years-old. Because of the loss of basic in grade 2 so they weren't interest in schooling. They just liked apprentice.
Unfortunately, the OBV doesn't have any training center for apprentices, so they just lived in the OBV for a short time and came back to their home.
The OBV children planting trees
The OBV-VN family members regularly carry out weekend work projects. At times we work in the garden, at others we do house-cleaning. Generally we work for two hours. Afterwards, we can rest, entertain ourselves or read books. During the weekend, in the evening, we watch the movies or take part in karaoke sessions.
Teacher Jessie after the farewell party at OBV-Vietnam, has made a cash contribution to help the OBV-Cambodia children to buy the needed textbooks, school supplies or story books. He gave the money to Sister Ngọc who then forwarded it to OBV-Cambodia several days ago.
New school year 2014
During the summer, although the children only got 1 month off and then resumed again in summer school and the new school year. But every year, on Semtemper 5th, all school across the country are opening and their school is no exception.
A ceremony to welcome the new school year
Unlike the other days, today, mother N woke up early because the house assistants were busy in Cambodia. Mother made breakfast and reminded the kids to dress up in order to attend start of the school year.
The children of OBV House are equipped with weapons
1. Mommy, help us
Sitting in the office, looking at the clock sometimes, I was waiting for the children for dinner. I suddenly heard someone scream: "Mommy, open the gate, help me." I didn't have time to wear flip flop, rushed out the gate, 3 children took the bicycles into the house, panted and pointed to the street "Mommy, two sisters are still out there." I asked, "What happened?" – "A pervert guy keeps following us". I rushed into the house and told Aunt T to take motobike to find other children. But when we just got out of the house, we saw "him" standing there. At that time, our 2 children panic-stricken rushed home with pale faces. Danger was over to them. I was also scared, but took all the courage to "face".
- Hey you, why did you follow my children and make them scared?
The two girls, their grandparents and mother.
Dear Readers! I am glad to be able to write this article about my first task since joining OBV, namely to take care of two girls. They are sisters, both very cute and lovable. The fatherless house – due to the parents' divorce – consisted of a mother and her two daughters. While the father left to live with another woman, the girls lived with the mother, who was always drunk and shouting profanities, known in the neighborhood for wandering off on the streets and regularly beating the children.
Since some of our children from Cambodia come to Vietnam for the periodic health and dental examinations - OBV organized one day meaningful and fun camp in order for the children from two countries have chance to get to know, share, and understand other in the love of OBV family.
The young and older children from Vietnam and Cambodia were divided into 4 teams.
Mother Ngoc counting the little soldiers before departure!
"I gave D a pencil, I gave Linh some bread..."
"I received toys from Mother, love from Mother and Aunt, clothes from the older sisters..."
"I gave the younger sisters food and clothes, shared sad and happy times with them; gave Mother, Aunt and Uncle my loud and earnest laughter..."
"I received material as well as spiritual gifts from the OBV family..."
During a round of "Give and Receive", some girls are simple and innocent, some are mature and sincere.
The teacher and all the kids in elementary
So gone are those hot, humid sweltering summer days with continuous rain in July. There was a time for beginning and also time for an end, as we reached the end of our English semester. Today is the day of our farewell party with our beloved teacher Ms. Diem Van – a volunteer who came all the way from the U.S to help teach us English.
She came and stay with us at the beginning of June. The initial moment of surprise and shyness quickly went away because your teacher is a young lady who quickly blended in and adapted with the group easily. The class were divided into two, the older kids study on the odd days while the younger kids study on the even days.
You are a kind, beautiful girl with a nice warm smile that will light up any room you walk into.....But many years ago, there was no smile on your face. Life was so cruel when it took your own mother away and leaving you behind all alone in this cruel world. You lived in a house with 4 men, they are heartless and barbaric men, who abused you and took advantage of you, didn't matter if you are a stranger or family member.
You came to OBV when you were almost 16 with an immense pain that no words can describe. Because you are too kind hearted, you seemed gullible, naïve and weak but just because you were merely looking for some understanding, some protection and some tender loving care from the people that you know as well as strangers.
We always organize a birthday celebration every three months for the children whose birthdays fall within those months. This time, the party was for three girls. Just a simple cake and a little "special something" were enough to make them happy. That day, the House Assistant cooked a pot of bún bò (beef vermicelli soup) to eat with the whole family. This birthday was also attended by two older sisters, who had already started working. With the money earned by themselves, they bought the cake for their younger sisters. Mother and the other aunts were glad to see them so grown up and taking care of the younger ones.
Mother and the girls with the candle-lit cake.
It was a memorable day for the children of OBV who have been blessed with the gift of receiving their Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Regeneration. It was extra special for a fellow child, C, who's birthday also fell on that day. It was nothing but smiles all around for, C, who was very lively and beautiful. In addition, an important person - Mother N. has gifted C a birthday cake with C's name written on top and a number '14' candle.
C happily admiring her cake