Spotlight Stories
Thank You and Farewell
I am filled with both sadness and gratitude as I announce my retirement from my role as President of FVSO. I announced this at our June 13th board meeting and it became effective on June 30, 2025. I've had 15 wonderful years with FVSO, 10 of those serving as President, and it is now time to turn over the reins to the next generation and move on to the next chapter of my life.
End of School Year Celebrations
On the morning of May 27th, the students of Vinh Son, dressed in their nicest uniforms, cheerfully gathered in the middle of the yard for their end of school year celebration, excited to welcome the arrival of summer. The season of rest promises to bring fun and relaxing activities, and the opportunity to recharge before the next school year begins.
Lessons of Compassion and Love
Enjoy this heartwarming letter from Y Khuynh, a student from Vinh Son 2 who is mid-way through a four year Social Work major at Kon Tum Community College. Learn about what her social work class has been doing at the local care center and her reflections on donating her time to those in need.
2025 Dental Visits for the Children of VSO
On May 30th, Thach Sanh dental team visited each of the Vinh Son orphanages to perform their annual dental screening for the children. These dental checks are just one of a series of ongoing programs sponsored by Friends of Vinh Son (FVSO) and Children of Vinh Son (CoVS) to maintain good oral health and provide education about oral care for the Vinh Son children, Sisters and workers.
Letters from Scholarship Students
The gift of education from FVSO coupled with the students hard work and dedication has created priests, catholic monks of the monasteries, teachers, doctors, nurses, and social workers. Please enjoy the stories below submitted by VSO students who have attend college on FVSO scholarships, graduated, and are now finding success on their own.
Happy New Year from Vinh Son!
Tet Nguyen Dan, commonly referred to as Tet, is Vietnam’s most significant and traditional celebration, marking the arrival of the Lunar New Year. It is a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and welcoming a new beginning filled with hopes for prosperity and good fortune.
For the Vinh Son orphanages, the days leading up to the Tet holidays are the days the orphans find the most joy, excitement and happiness. Hear more about Tet at Vinh Son from Martha Y Phanh.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
Music is a tool for preserving cultural heritage. Through music, significant cultural traditions centering on expression of emotion, the celebration of the season of the year, preservation of ancestral stories and connectivity, and more, is foundational. Musical underpinnings should never be slighted or lost, not in the Montagnard culture, or in any culture. Music connects generations. Music provides a sense of community.
2024 Annual Review
On behalf of the Board, the children, and the nuns, thank you so much for your amazing support last year. 2025 marks the 25th year anniversary of our founding. Our donor family has provided incredible support through the years. Since 2001 we have raised just over $4 million, we have directly supported the kids with $3 million, and have built a Legacy Fund of $1 million for their future.
