Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – More than 7,000 young people took part last Saturday in Youth Day organised by the diocese of Saigon, including those who help the less fortunate who expressed their opinions and gave suggestions.
The day began with a prayer, prelude to sharing working experiences and spiritual orientations for young people in today’s society.
“Social issues touch our community and parish because Vietnam faces social problems as well as economic challenges,” Kieu, a Korean language teacher in Ho Chi Minh City’s Ninth District, told AsiaNews. “Living in this reality the local Church cannot ignore these issues. Local Christians have consequently centred their pastoral and social activities in order to improve conditions for people.”
“We must raise consciousness in everyone about the need for justice and peace,” a social worker said.” Starting with the teachings of the catechism, we help children and teenagers to know what is right from what is wrong in life. We have volunteers involved in pastoral and social activities, people who teach children, work with out-of-luck kids and intervene in those areas that negatively affect children. Our activities aim to prevent socially negative impacts.”
“I work with street kids,” said Hung as he related his experiences and those of his friends. “Every evening I approach kids in the streets and public places. They are in the streets for many reasons, but they all have on thing in common: they come from broken families.”
“Currently we have more than 300 volunteers who work with children living in particularly difficult situations, those living in the streets for example, but also those involved in child labour, especially migrants, as well as young disabled, kids involved with drugs, orphans, and children who contracted AIDS from their parents. They all need some TLC, some tender-loving-care, and must be protected against the discriminations of everyday life.”