Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We want to acknowledge the outpouring of love, in the form of financial gifts, sent by so many of you to alleviate the suffering in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Contributions have been received from individuals and from entire Sanghas. As of today, 26 August, Ms. Ngan, the friend and former colleague of our dear monastic sister Duyet Nghiem, has received a total of USD 9,065 from our community, including donations from Sangha siblings in Australia. These funds are paying for PPE and food for the medical workers in a city that is currently under siege by the COVID - 19 Delta Variant.
Your contributions have been vitally helpful. With them, Ms. Ngan has purchased supplies, including food, for four hospitals.
As of today, Saigon, a city of 13 million has recorded ‘around’ 180,000 community infections and 6,838 deaths in this recent wave. The numbers are believed to be much higher. Many people are dying at home, and, often, it’s impossible to determine the real cause - the virus or some underlying condition.
A shortage of vaccine has hampered efforts to prevent the more serious affects of contracting the virus which then puts more pressure on healthcare resources that are far over capacity for caring for the exploding numbers of cases. Only 18 million people, of a population of 97 million, have received the first jab, with two million having received both.
The situation in Saigon had become increasingly dire over the past three weeks. Thankfully, the last three days have seen some positive change, particularly in terms of logistics. Saturday, the national government sent thousands of soldiers from the southern regions of the country, as well as more than 1000 Army medical personnel from Hanoi. Choosing to send soldiers from the south who speak the souther dialect was a wise decision, clearly meant to avoid traumatizing an already traumatized population, including many for whom the memories of 1975 are still vivid. The soldiers are tasked with going door-to-door, testing people for the virus, as well as determining their need for food which is being delivered to the people by the soldiers.
The news is going around, posted on social media by friends in the city, that the soldiers are young and eager to help. The people are responding positively to their presence, particularly the poor and most vulnerable who are already feeling safer. They know they are not alone, food and medicines are being delivered to them personally…..though some are reporting that they are not receiving anything….so, it seems, that as with every situation, everywhere, some of everything is happening, both positive and negative.
The need for financial support has NOT lessened, therefore, an opportunity to practice generosity to help those in the homeland of many of our teachers still exist.
CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE SENT WITH A ‘CLICK' ON OUR WEBPAGE, Lovingworkfoundation.org/copy-of-community, USING YOUR CREDIT CARD;
ORYOU MAY SEND A PERSONAL CHECK, made payable to Loving Work Foundation, TO: LESLEY WARREN, CFO, 1212 CAPERTON WAY, CHARLESTON, SC 29412
PLEASE KINDLY NOTIFY US AT LOVINGWORKDONATIONS@GMAIL.COM WHEN YOU MAKE A DONATION.
May today's mud continue to nourish the blooming of the lotus.
May all humans awaken.
With Love and Gratitude,
Trish
Trish Thompson
Chân An Đinh (True Concentration on Peace)
Dharma Teacher, Plum Blossom and Cedar Society Member
Hoi An, Quang Nam, Viet NamCharleston, South Carolina USA
Founder & DirectorWww.lovingworkfoundation.org, Improving the Lives of Children & Families in Viet Nam
(84) 090 5914062
FB: loving work foundation
US Mobile: 1-843-642-7858
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