austraL asia 1173

Viet Migrant Worker Scheme Alive in Ho Chi Minh SDB Parish

HO CHI MINH CITY: 26th June 2005 -- More than 100,000 migrant workers flock to the Southern urban area of Ho Chi Minh City every year, according to government statistics.  The same statistics indicate that at least 1.2 million migrant workers are registered in the city.  In Thu Duc district, the Salesian parish has developed a range of approaches to those workers who live or work within the parish.  Parish statistics estimate around 150,000 workers are involved.
    The parish provides both pastoral and practical assistance to the workers.  As many of them are young and quickly develop relationships in their often crowded quarters,  the parish offers a series of marriage preparation courses annually which attract 300-400 young people.  Not all of the migrant workers are Catholic of course.  But help is offered regardless of religion or situation.  Many of the workers find that the opportunity to come together in the context of the Church is beneficial for them.  They come not just on Sundays, but many gather of an evening for the Rosary or for discussions on matters that concern them, or for consultation.
    At a practical level, many of the workers do not have ready access to clean, bottled water.  The parish has set up a water filtering system, giving free access to 3,000 litres of clean water daily.  The additional benefit to workers who receive a meagre US$ 37 (around 600,000 Dong) a month, some of which they need to give to their families.
    The parish clergy have noted that many of the workers live three or four to a room no more than five or six square metres large.  So they have worked in with landlords on behalf of these workers to improve the rooms, building tables and chairs, providing phone services, ventilation and toilets.  This is an ongoing exercise which has so far cost 10 million Dong or around US$ 630.
    The combined provision of pastoral and practical assistance to workers has meant many sincere conversions for the parish - as many as 300 a year.
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