Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Parish holds Christmas Fair for 700 poor students

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Xuan Hiep Parish in Vietnam held a Christmas Fair for the 700 poor students attending parish school and oratory as well as children from the Salesian Bac Ha Parish. Several Salesians also attended the event including Father Joseph Le Ngoc Anh, rector of Philip Rinaldi Xuan Hiep Theological community, Father Peter Tran Anh Tu, in charge of Don Bosco Xuan Hiep School, and Father Daminh Tran Quang Hien, in charge of the vocational group of aspirants.

The fair began with a blessing from Fr. Le Ngoc Anh. He also told the children to have fun and to remember the reason for Christmas. The children were then able to enjoy the fair which included games, gifts and food.

One Salesian said, “Children left the fair happy and with meaningful gifts that they themselves exchanged for winning the games. There were many wishes of good cheer that all enjoyed a Christmas season filled with joy and peace.”

According to the World Bank, close to 14 percent of Vietnam’s population lives in conditions of poverty. The country has seen a drastic reduction of poverty over the last 20 years when the poverty rate was close to 60 percent. Vietnam has also made remarkable progress in education. Primary and secondary enrollments for those in poverty have reached more than 90 percent and 70 percent respectively.

Rising levels of education and diversification into off-farm activities such as working in construction, factories or domestic housework have also contributed to reducing poverty in the country. Salesian programs give impoverished children and families opportunities that are typically only available to the middle and upper classes so that all people can have hope for a better future.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Vietnam – Don Bosco Xuan Hiep: Christmas Fair 2022 for disadvantaged students

Salesian Missions – Vietnam

World Bank – Vietnam