“Tết” — A Celebration of Rebirth | Stories | International Humanitarian Missions

Tết Nguyên Đán literally means "the first morning of the first day of the new period." More simply known as "Tết," it is Viet Nam's version of the Lunar New Year — celebrated by millions of Vietnamese all around the world to mark the Year of the Tiger, beginning February 1, 2022.

Students in blue uniforms sitting cross-legged on green tarp around bánh chưng and food gifts, waiting for the New Year celebration to begin — Children are gathering around the main court in anticipation of the New Year celebration.

Because of you, this year, the stateless Vietnamese children of Tonle Sap in Cambodia are able to celebrate Tết like never before — most of them for the very first time. Children are filled with excitement as they watch the dragon dance for the very first time in their lives.

A group of children in matching red shirts kneeling in choreographed prayer pose during a Tết dance performance, with rice bags and gifts displayed in front of them — Besides their studies, students are also learning dance techniques and performing during the Tết festivities — promoting social skills, teamwork, and engagement.

The bicycle raffle winners standing with their new bikes and families, surrounded by bags of rice and Tết decorations — With your support, students and families are provided with traditional Tết food including **Bánh Chưng & Bánh Tét** (Sticky Rice Cakes), along with gifts and food for the children and their families.

HoangMy's dream came true.

HoangMy, a young girl in a blue school uniform with her hair in a side ponytail, standing in front of her new bicycle against a Tết-decorated green wall — HoangMy, one of three winners of a bicycle for her family during the Tết raffle.

HoangMy is one of three winners of a bicycle for her family — what a great way for HoangMy and her family to celebrate the new year. Instead of having to walk 4 miles to school, she can now ride her new bike.

"I'm so happy, I can't believe it! It's like my dream came true." — HoangMy, after receiving her bicycle raffle gift.

This heartwarming story of HoangMy resonates with many families of Tonle Sap, as they rarely experience such happy occasions while struggling to make ends meet. For most of these families, 2022 marks the very first year that they are fortunate to celebrate Tết.

Welcoming you to their home.

BeEm, My, and Nhi — three siblings — smiling outside their family home near the Tonle Sap River, with their younger siblings and parents in the background — BeEm, My & Nhi — current students at the school you helped build — welcome you to their home near the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia.

Inside a modest home in Tonle Sap — a young girl in yellow pajamas standing with her younger brother near the kitchen area — Inside one of the many modest homes near the school — the kind of place that becomes a sanctuary when the children are at school.

The children going to school has helped the family tremendously. Since their parents have to work all day, leaving the children unattended at home with nothing to do was a big problem. Now the children and their parents are much happier when the kids are at school.

Hoang & Canh's family — who attends our school — welcomes us to their home and living conditions.

The Hoang family stilt house — built of corrugated metal and bamboo with washing hanging from the supports — where the children of the IHM school live — The Hoang's family home. With your help, the kids are able to go to school — alleviating the worry from their parents.

Medical care, for the first time.

A woman in a yellow sweater holding her medical care package envelope from the Phsar Chhnang Clinic, made possible by IHM donor support — Recipients of our medical care package. Thanks to your support, their pain and worry are now alleviated.

Providing toilets to fight poverty.

Living in a world without decent toilets — especially ones connected to a system that safely handles waste — puts people at risk of disease, pollutes the environment, and discourages girls from attending school.

A young mother in a green shirt with her toddler beside the new portable toilet that IHM provided for their home — With your support, we're able to provide portable toilets to families living in Cambodia to encourage good hygiene practices.

Mai standing with her three children, all with hands clasped in greeting, in front of the new toilet inside their home — Mai & her family use their new toilet inside their home.

"We used to go far away around the lakes and bushes to the toilet. At night I went with my friends, but I was scared. Now we have a clean toilet in our house and I'm not scared anymore." — Mai

An older man standing under the elevated platform of his stilt house, where a new toilet has been installed thanks to IHM donor support — Another family welcomed into a new chapter — dignity restored, one home at a time.

A holiday became a rebirth. Thank you for making it possible.

"Tết" — A Celebration of Rebirth.

HoangMy's dream came true.

Welcoming you to their home.

Medical care, for the first time.

Providing toilets to fight poverty.

Help us bring more firsts to Tonle Sap.