Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – On November 15 and 16, 2021, the Community Development Ministry’s Wardrobe of Love program brought 175 gift packs, 20 wool blankets and 2 TVs to preschool children at five schools in Đông Sang commune, Mộc Châu district, Sơn La province. It was the ministry’s first highland trip after a long period of Covid-19 restrictions.
See photos: all the photos of the Mộc Châu trip (about 40 photos) on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
A Harsh Winter in Đông Sang
Anyone who has visited Mộc Châu in winter will not forget the numbing cold, and even less the sight of children in thin clothes, barefoot on cold ground. Đông Sang is an ethnic minority mountain commune of Mộc Châu district, where Hmong and Thái people live mainly by growing corn and rice. Some winter days drop below 10°C, and many children miss school because they have no warm clothes. Teachers have to visit each family and call on charities for help.
Receiving a request from the leadership of Đông Sang Preschool, the ministry decided to bring its “Wardrobe of Love” program, run over many winters, to these children in 2021.
Collecting Clothes for Children Under 6
From late October, the ministry asked believers and friends to send clothes, scarves, gloves and wool hats for children aged 2 to 6, in good or new condition, washed and clearly labeled by size. Drop-off points were the Long Biên and Thanh Xuân Covenant groups. The goal was 175 padded jackets and coats for children under 6, 25 warm blankets for the schools, and books and toys for kindergartners.
All items received were washed, dried and carefully packed before being sent to the highlands.
175 Gift Packs for Five Schools
The gifts were worth about 21 million dong in total, including:
- 175 gift packs with padded jackets, socks, warm clothes and comic books for the children;
- 20 wool blankets for the schools;
- 2 TVs that can connect to computers for teaching.
The gifts went to preschoolers at the Co Sung, Chăm Cháy, Bản Cóc, Nà Kiến and Pa Phách schools in Đông Sang commune.
Energy for the Journeys Ahead
After months of serving only in the city because of the pandemic, the Mộc Châu trip helped ministry members regain energy for the journeys to the Northeast and Northwest that followed. Moments with the children became inspiration to keep up highland trips. Indeed, Mộc Châu went on to become one of the places the ministry has stayed connected with for many years.
“But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”” (Matthew 19:14)
Thank You
The Community Development Ministry thanks the believers and friends who walked with us, sent clothes and gave to the program. Each small coat is a bit of warmth that goes with these children to school through the winter.
Let Us Pray Together
- For preschoolers in Đông Sang commune to stay healthy and attend class regularly through the winter.
- For highland teachers to have more health and patience.
- For the ministry to have many opportunities to do good works that please God and bring love to communities everywhere.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
