A Father’s Act of Treachery
Tam, the oldest of seven children, was born into rural poverty. In an unimaginable act of wickedness after his 7th child was born, Tam’s father abandoned his family and left the village with another woman. He hasn’t seen or supported his children since.
In the years following his departure, Tam’s mom struggled to feed, clothe, and house her children. Tam was sometimes hungry.
Tam’s dream during the hungry years was to go to school. She especially dreamed of attending high school where all the girls wore the beautiful, white, traditional Ao Dai dress. She dreamed of wearing that beautiful dress.
The family was too poor for Tam to have a bicycle and so she walked to grade school – when she attended. Since attending school required a 7-mile walk, sometimes she went; sometimes she didn’t. Because of infrequent attendance, she was a poor student.
A Mother’s Tearful Decision
Tam’s desperate mom reached her breaking point as the children got older - but when all were still at home. She couldn’t pay for the needed food, clothes, and especially the school fees. No extended family helped her, and U.S.-style welfare is not known in Vietnam. In exasperation, she asked her village’s leaders to accept Tam into a government orphanage. The village leaders, in turn, asked officials in far-away Danang to take care of Tam. Danang officials asked Orphan Voice for help.
God’s Love Poured Out to Tam
Tam arrived at Promise House three years ago. She was shy, underweight, and behind in school. Plenty of good food - regularly served - solved the weight problem. Trips to the doctor and dentist, and new clothes, met other needs. Tam grew more confident and made friends.
But she failed her 8th-grade graduation test! She was just too far behind. Passing that test would have allowed her to attend high school! Would she ever wear that beautiful, white, high-school Ao Dai dress?
In their efforts to help her, Orphan Voice staff petitioned the school to allow Tam to take the 8th grade again. They agreed. The staff hired tutors to help her in every subject. Tam worked hard. The tutors worked hard. Promise House caregivers worked hard. The result?
Tam’s dream came true! On the day that she was admitted to high school, Orphan Voice staff bought her a beautiful, white, traditional Ao Dai dress to wear as her school uniform.
In the early summer of 2020, Tam passed her 8th-grade graduation test and was admitted to high school!
Tam’s dream came true! On the day that she was admitted to high school, Orphan Voice staff bought her a beautiful, white, traditional Ao Dai dress to wear as her school uniform.
Tam was thrilled. “Does it look good on me? I’ve been waiting on this day for a long time. I was afraid that I couldn’t pass, but I did!”
19 more children at Promise House have suffered the same poverty and need that Tam has. One was physically abused; another sexually abused; another abandoned. And like Tam, God has poured out His love upon each one. Their lives have been transformed – because of you.