Ohio-based humanitarian funds development projects in Vietnam

Published: 2007-11-29

TOLEDO, Ohio (CNS) -- When Do Nguyen became one of the founders of a humanitarian organization that funds development projects in Vietnam, he was focused on addressing the needs of children in the country of his birth. Even after more than 30 years in the United States, Nguyen, a member of Toledo's St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Parish, remembers how difficult life was for his family when he was growing up in a village of the Quang Tri province. His house did not have a toilet, and at age 12 he still lacked a pair of shoes. "We take for granted in this country the living condition," he said. In 2000 Nguyen and a group of Rotary Club members, Vietnam veterans and other concerned citizens founded the nonprofit Development of Vietnam Endeavors Fund, known as the DOVE Fund. Since then the organization has amassed more than $1 million in donations to pay for projects, including 30 schools, two medical centers, 370 water wells, two water distribution centers, 152 scholarships and three computer centers. It has fundraising efforts under way for a dental clinic, clean water projects and microfinance projects for poor women.

Copyright (c) 2007 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .