By Paul Sullivan
Successfully developing a community center at the Trà Ếch Catholic Church has been a work of many months; it has involved tending to the physical and spiritual needs of the community. Father Minh has done remarkable work meeting both needs. He has provided food, clothing, medical supplies, and a safe environment for the children of Trà Ếch. That effort has been so successful that over 60 people will be baptized this Easter; however, the work at Trà Ếch is in jeopardy. The only access route to the church is in danger of collapse due to erosion from the daily rise and fall of the adjoining canal.
The low tide and high tide shown below are shown from the front of the church on the canal side. Tide cycles are repeated twice a day, creating constant erosion, which has led to the collapse of one building, also seen below.
The image below illustrates the problem. There is one bridge crossing the canal that runs along the only pathway to the church. Also, the church is located on a peninsula with water on three sides. The access path to the church is already slanting towards the canal.
The proposed solution is a new bridge in front of the church as shown in the above image. Plans for the bridge have been developed. The cost is $23,000 USD. Your immediate help is needed as the next rainy season starting in May will accelerate the erosion. If the pathway collapses, the church is cut off from nearly all of its’ parishioners.