Founded in 2000 by Fr. Thuan and two friends based in San Francisco, CA, the Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation assisted The Lover of the Holy Cross Sisters who had just established Nhat Hong Thi Nghe Home for the Blind in Ho Chi Minh City (1995).
Up to the present time with the Foundation’s support, the Sisters expanded to nine homes and schools with a total of almost 400 students. The Foundation has also provided funding to maintain the homes, schools, and healthcare centers for visually impaired children administered by other lay or religious groups.
Rev. Thuan Van Hoang was born on October 16, 1956, in Saigon (known today as Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. His seminary education began at the age of 12. After studies and service at St. Joseph Major Seminary and earning a living as a tricycle driver, Thuan escaped by boat from Vietnam to Indonesia in 1987. For over 15 months he resided in two refugee camps in Indonesia and the Philippines before immigrating to the U.S.
Thuan attended Evergreen College and San Jose State University while working in Silicon Valley’s tech industry. In 1995 he became a U.S. citizen and on May 31, 1997, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pontifical Sacred Theology and a Master Divinity degree. In 2003 he earned the Licentiate of Canon Law (J.C.L.)
Fr. Thuan ministered as parochial vicar at Saint Cecilia Church, Saint Philip Church, Most Holy Redeemer Church and Church of the Visitacion in San Francisco. He currently serves as pastor at the Church of the Visitacion. As a canonist, Fr. Thuan also ministers to the metropolitan tribunal of Archdiocese of San Francisco as the defender of the bond.
After ordination, he went back to Vietnam and visited a longtime friend, Sr. Anna Nhuong Thi Nguyen, a Sister of the Lover of the Holy Cross of Thu Duc Congregation, who had just established Nhat Hong Thi Nghe Home for the Blind in Ho Chi Minh City. Inspired by the blind children and Sr. Anne Nhuong, on returning to the United States, Fr. Thuan founded the Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation in 2000. He has since served as President of the Executive Board to raise funds for the support and development of educational and vocational programs for visually-challenged children. The Foundation successfully opened and continues to fund several homes and centers in Vietnam.
If you are interested in donating visit Blind Vietnamese Children’s Foundation.
Children's Education in Vietnam 