The Vinh Son orphanages are full of activity in the summertime. Here is a brief glimpse into all that is happening!

Summers at Vinh Son have a lot of parallels to summers in the States. School ended at the end of May or first week of June and everyone was jumping with joy. Sisters are smiling, children are hanging out, and everyone is relaxed. No more hectic schedules and more free time to be with friends and take up hobbies and sports. The rain typically starts at the end of May and increases throughout July and August. The Vietnam rain is relentless, however it never stops the kids from their summer time activities, whether that be working in the fields or playing. It just means more mud and dirty clothes.

Two specific age groups have the pressure of taking very important school tests in June. The 9th graders take a test to determine which high school they will attend. With a successful test score they go to a public high school with the possibility of college after high school graduation. With a less successful test score, students go to the continuing education center. Both offer a high school diploma, however the public high school is more demanding and can lead to college. Every one of our college scholarship students attended the public high schools. For our 12th graders they take both a test for graduation and a college entrance exam. No doubt this is a stressful time for these two age groups of students.

All Vinh Son students have the opportunity to visit their villages for a week or two during the summer. This is a great break for the kids and time to be with family. For the sisters, this is when the number of children is lower and offers time to relax.

During the summer, everyone is working. Older children work in the fields, college students are working at job placement locations, and younger children are working at the orphanages. The computer labs are open most evenings and a few English classes continue to be held. Beyond the work however, summer is a time for fun! Each Vinh Son location offers festivals and priests organize game days. There is a big event called the Mid Autumn Festival where the children prepare line dancing performances, a lantern procession, and singing performances. The orphanages are filled with silver lights and the children cheer the performances and have a Full Moon party. First Communion is also offered to many of the younger children during the summer and attending mass is still a big part of each week.

As summer comes to an end, August is an exciting and anxious time for the sisters and recent high school graduates. Some head sisters will be given new assignments and other sisters will be leaving Vinh Son to work elsewhere. High school grads are waiting to hear if they are accepted into college, looking for work, or moving back to their villages. Everyone is enjoying the last days of summer and looking forward to school in September.