Everybody has a dream. Some dream of being rich in order to have a luxurious life. Some dream of owning a nice house or a car. Others dream of succeeding in business, of being loved, or of living a beautiful and ideal life to help others.  There are some with the desire to become a famous singer or artist. Regardless of where people live and come from, everyone has their own dreams.

When I was a child, my family was very poor and crowded. My brothers, sisters, and I did not have enough warm blankets to keep warm in the winter. Sometimes, our legs could not be covered with the blanket even though it was a very cold night. I dreamed that my family would have enough warm blankets so that my family could be wrapped in blankets and not be cold. There was not a single night that we did not pull the blankets back and forth. Some nights the blanket would not cover us anymore. 

As I grew up a little, I learned to help my parents with house chores. I cut grass, tended buffalo, picked vegetables, cooked rice and made wine. I spent much of my time working to help my family. I would dream of having more time to study and review my schoolwork. When I was in eighth grade, I had a dream of becoming a Sister so that I can serve everyone. From now on, this dream is always in my heart. Certainly, from birth to maturity, each person has many dreams. You, what is your dream?

From small dreams are we able to reach success and an ideal life.

There are dreams that are trivial – small but deeply significant. The dream of having a home and family, as some have mothers and fathers they never dreamed of.

I am moved to tears when I see the orphan children (who I often call angels) that have been raised by the Sisters of Kim Doi. I see how blessed I am. It is touching to know them, to see them, and to believe.

They still have the innocent faces of childhood, but hidden deep in their eyes is sorrow as they miss their parents and the memory of their home and family. I am happier when I get the opportunity to talk with the children and hear their secret dreams kept within their heart.

From Kindergarten until Grade 11, everyone would assume that one would have an answer when asked what his or her dream is. There is not a single orphan who does not have the same dream of having fathers and mothers. Besides this noble dream, they also have other beautiful and significant ones. Although they are very young, they feel the love of those who take care of them and allow them to have dreams. They have many beautiful dreams, not only for their own happiness but to serve everyone in life.

Who would have thought that a child who is only 5 years old such as H. Luin (she is an ethnic minority at Chư Sê, Gia Lai) dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can take care of poor patients. Another example is Nguyễn Thị Quỳnh Nhi (5 years old) who dreams of becoming a teacher for the youth and kindergarten children. Trương Thị Thùy Trang (11 years old) has an innate heart disease and wishes to have good health so that she will be able to serve those who suffer as she does. K, Pui Pok dreams of becoming a good dressmaker to sew clothing for orphan children like him.

My friend, do you see how beautiful the dreams of these children are? Their dreams are truly worthy of admiration and contemplation. The musician Trinh Cong Son wrote: “Living in this life, everyone needs a heart… so the wind may carry it away”.

Do you want to take the dreams of the orphan children under your wings so they may be fulfilled?

In this life, we need dreams don’t we? Only when you wish, can your dream come true. You and I have our own dreams.

Please look at the noble and beautiful aspirations of the children who do not have parents. They help lead us to a world full of love, giving, and hope.

For you have beautiful dreams.