Sharing information can be one of the most important ways you can help an organization. You never know from who and where help can arrive.
Thuy tells her family about the Francis Shelter in Dong Nai province. On a budget that would make the Seattle non-profit community cringe, the Francis Shelter cares for some of Dong Nai province's most dire and ill citizens. Thuy's family immediately makes a contribution to their cause.
--------------------------------
During our first OBV meeting held shortly after our arrival into the city, the OBV leadership acknowledged with appreciation and support Thuy's desire to provide her healthcare knowledge to people both in and out of the OBV system. Shortly after the meeting, Binh, the OBV director for the Vietnam office, told Thuy about a shelter in Dong Nai province that was in need of support.
This is how we learned about Mai Am Phan Sinh, known to others as the Francis Shelter.
Sometime in mid-November, Thuy reached out to Mr. Chau, founder and director for the shelter, to learn more about what they do. After her call, she started to explain to me what she heard, but it was hard for her to speak because she was in tears. What she heard on the phone alone was enough to break her heart. I learned why she was so emotional when we visited the Francis Shelter a month later to see first-hand what Mr. Chau does and who he helps.
Thuy shared what she learned about the Francis Shelter with her mother during one of their regular FaceTime chats. Saddened by what she heard and wanting to help, her mother asked for Mr. Chau's contact information. She soon gave Mr. Chau a personal phone call from Seattle to learn more about the Francis Shelter and who they help. Mr. Chau was as transparent as possible, sharing photos and financial information with Thuy's mom to explain exactly how they manage to help over 60 patients on just $2,600 a month.
Mr. Chau explained to Thuy's mother that financial contributions were hard to come by. He does so much on-site to keep the shelter in operation that taking any additional time way from the shelter to fundraise is practically impossible. They have no money to hire paid staff, so he has to do everything himself.
After that single phone call and the photos that followed, Thuy's mother had learned enough. She called her oldest son, Dang, to tell him about the Francis Shelter. Perhaps he would be in a position to help.
Soon after hearing about the shelter and seeing the photos for themselves, Dang and his wife, Lindy, had quickly decided to make a financial contribution to Mr. Chau and his work.
Thuy's mom told us this good news and that we were to expect a visit from a money courier within a couple of days. Sure enough, a courier arrived at our door with Dang and Lindy's generous donation.
A few weeks later, with money and medicine in hand Thuy and I boarded a bus at Ben Thanh Market that would take us on a one-and-a-half hour ride to the "Nga 3 Tri An" bus stop in Dong Nai province. At Mr. Chau's instruction we then took two separate xe oms to the Francis Shelter. Apparently the shelter is well-known in the area such that xe om drivers know exactly where to go.
 |
| Thuy give's Mr. Chau the donation from her family |
Having never met Mr. Chau and only learning about the Francis Shelter through Thuy and through a brief conversation over the phone, Thuy's family saw a chance for them to help many people in dire need of care and support from the outside world.
Mr. Chau was deeply grateful for their generosity.
Thank you to Thuy's family for spreading the word and taking action to help others in need. Your donation makes a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual impact on the patients of the Francis Shelter.
No comments:
Post a Comment