Catholic-run day camp helps Hmong preserve culture for their children

Published: 2005-08-01

BROCKTON, Mass. (CNS) -- Half a dozen young Hmong girls wore brightly colored dresses decorated with coins that jingled as they danced, and they weaved their arms and hands back and forth to the rhythm of the music of their culture. The traditional Hmong dance, part of a cultural celebration July 21 at a summer day camp in Brockton run by the Sisters of Charity, was accompanied by a song about the joy of the Hmong people who face many struggles but have no regrets. At the camp, in the Boston Archdiocese, the Sisters of Charity are trying to help the Hmong preserve their unique culture for their children. Sisters Anne Marie O'Shea and Ann Whittaker started the camp after they arrived in Brockton seven years ago, continuing the 100-year presence of the sisters in the city as well as their mission of helping ethnic groups in the community. The sisters found that the needs of the Hmong were not being addressed directly by any other organization, and offered their help.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .