Sister Mary Ta Thi Thu Hai receives a Hmong child at the Lao Chai parish house. (Photo: UCA News)
Sister Mary Ta Thi Thu Hai holds Michael Lo A Thong, a Hmong infant, in her arms, saying nice things to him and coaxing him into playing with other children at Lao Chai parish house. Thong misses his mother and his loud cry makes other children cry.
“Thong always weeps for his mother and refuses to do things with others even though he has been here for nearly two months,” Sister Hai, who is fluent in the Hmong language, said while feeding the 28-month-old child.
“We work very hard here all day to look after the children as one child crying makes others cry and even relieve themselves on the spot.”
Two Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hung Hoa sisters and two Hmong teachers serve some 30 ethnic children at the parish house in Lao Cai province’s Sa Pa district.