By Shu Zhen Chen
The Daughters of Charity was founded in Vietnam in November 1928
to help the unfortunate. Their mission is to help bring the
Good News to the poor and help them as much as they can. The
Sisters choose to have a simple, transparent life style and are
ready to die for others. This congregation has spent countless
years helping the unfortunate by giving them a chance to live
amongst the individuals in society. They take in the poor and give
them shelter, food and water.
Bin Loi is one of the selected programs that the Daughters of
Charity participate in. This is a place where care is given
to the poor and lone elderly people. The mission of this
center is to provide shelter, psychological and spiritual
activities to help accompany the elderly people in the declining
years of their lives. The activities at the center are: the elderly
is provided with free food, medication and accommodation, they are
taken care of by the young Sisters, volunteers and other visitors
who spend time and visit and pray with them and are also given
occupational activities to help use their time
productively.
When I visited this center, Sister Hue Linh, DC greeted me with
a hug and smile. She spoke to me about the daily activities
that take place at the center then led me to the house where the
elder’s lived. The first room I was led to was the cafeteria
where the elder’s were having lunch. Again I was greeted with
a smile and a couple of the elder’s stood up to shake my
hand. When I entered the next room, I saw these fragile
individuals confined to their beds because they are not able to
walk. It was painful to know that these people eat, sleep, and
bathe in one place. Even though this was distressing, I noticed the
young Sisters feeding, talking and brightening the faces of the
elderly. To see the love and devotion in the eyes of these
individuals was inspirational. They alleviate the pain and
suffering that these individuals endure and put a smile on their
faces.
This experience has led me to realize what I have and what I
take for granted. I am provided with food, water, shelter and love
from my family and friends. To know that these elderly people
are coming to the end of their life and not have any family there
to ease the pain was heart breaking. It is reassuring that the
Daughters of Charity provide these individuals with love and the
everyday needs. To see the love that each Sister gives to the
elderly was priceless.