The SKCH project Adopcia na diaľku® (with a trademark, i.e., not interchangeable with similar projects by other organizations in the Slovak Republic) has been running in Vietnam since 2011. It is a groundbreaking and necessary project for many reasons.
With regard to the political situation and social security, the current Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established only in 1975. Long-standing unrest and wars in divided Vietnam in the last century marked the country and its people beyond words. In the sphere of spiritual influences, the Vietnamese population historically turned to Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and many nature religions. Christianity was brought here by missionaries in the first half of the 16th century; today it is the second most widespread religion.
The Mekong Delta plays an important role in Vietnam’s economy – it produces more than 50% of agricultural products and 65% of water-management products of the entire country – and should be considered privileged (because of the favorable natural environment). Paradoxically, most of the population there lives in poverty. The number of illiterate people is very high. The cultural level is the lowest in the whole country. Many young people (potential students) cannot afford to go to school and leave it mainly because of: lack of food, clothing, and money to pay tuition and books, as well as excessive distance (from home to school). The nongovernmental organization Caritas Vietnam was established in this socialist country only three years ago. In cooperation with SKCH, it launched a donor program in 2011 as part of the ADOPCIA NA DIAĽKU® project.
The plans are bold, and yet achievable thanks to generous people in Slovakia – to provide 80 scholarships for 80 pupils and students from the poorest families in 4 dioceses of the Mekong Delta (My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho, and Long). A monthly scholarship of 20 euros will mainly go toward paying tuition, buying books, purchasing uniforms, help with food and medicines, etc. for these children and youth. It is not easy to promote the interests of a Catholic organization in a socialist country like Vietnam. Nevertheless, we should all keep foremost in mind the need to educate and raise a generation of young people who cannot because of their difficult social situation now but can change it in their country in the future (also with our help and support).
Text: Božena Baluchová, Peter Knapík foto: Caritas Vietnam Required information for potential donors and benefactors from Slovakia: postal address: Slovenská katolícka charita, Kapitulská 18, 814 15 Bratislava telefón: 02/5443 1506, 02/5443 2503, mobile: +421 915 724 458 e-mail: adopcianadialku.vietnam@charita.sk – general information, and the Vietnam project contact person: Peter Knapík – ADOPCIA NA DIAĽKU®: Vietnam bank account number for supporting education in Vietnam: 0635111177/0900, Slovenská sporiteľňa