Be Tho Sewing Machines

Update fromBe Tho

Recently a number of modern sewing machines were purchased for Be Tho so that the older girls can learn a skill which will sustain them when they leave the orphanage (please see previous blogs). Many people have particpated in the process, all have been crucial to its success. We would like to thank Oliver Bonas, Albetta (Marco and Annabel), Rose Charities UK, Hanh Thuc Nguyen, the Canadian ladies in HCMC and the Consular Club of HCMC. Here is a report from Helen Taylor, Canadian representative to the Consular Club HCMC, and a message from Sister Vinh.

(from Helen) Some of our Canadian ladies have spent 7 days over the past few weeks working with some of the orphans and nuns on the improvement of their quilting skills and developing new marketable projects for the orphanage. This has involved donations of many hundreds of dollars from us as well for fabric, thread and scissors. We hope to use some of the Rose UK funds for a collapsible table, quilting rulers and quilting blocks. By November we hope to have many new Christmas projects for sale on the Canadian table at the Consular Club Charity bazaar, with payment going to Be Tho orphanage.

and from Sister Vinh : We are the board of managers of the ophans and disabled children BeTho, we are very happy to send this letter to you. We received 3 sewing machines and 1 enter lining machine. We use these machines to teachthe disabled children a trade and do outwork, make the products to earn money for nourishing the orphans and disabled children. On behalf of 130 orphans and disabled children, we express our gratitude to Rose Vietnam Organization, Oliver Bonas Organization. We wish you are healthy and happy.

New homes for the blind

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for blind people in Hue, Rose Charities is building ten homes for some of the poorest residents. With a donation of $2000,00 from the Canadian Chamber in HCMC (CanCham) and support from PEB Steel Construction Company, the first home was "unveiled" on July 17th, 2010. PEB Steel has very generously offered to undertake the construction of the roofs on all ten houses.

Mr. Cao Vinh Family House (before)

Construction in Progress

Laying Foundation

Mr. Cao Vinh Family New Home...donated by CanCham and Peb Steel

SEWING MACHINES FOR BE THO

Over the last two years Oliver Bonas UK has been making steady donations to Be Tho orphanage. These funds have contributed to the building of a new orphanage to ease overcrowding, support for essentials (such as food, etc.) and most recently the purchase of three "professional" sewing machines and one needle over-lock. These machines will make a considerable difference to the girls in the training programme that has been set up at the orphanage to ensure a means of support for young women when they leave (the boys learn carpentry). With the help of Albetta, a local clothing manufacturing company that has also been a generous donor to Be Tho, and with training from volunteers from the Canadian women's group in HCMC, the young seamstresses at Be Tho will soon be producing professional quality goods which can be sold at local markets.