In 1996, with the help and encouragement of his many friends, Martino, the 2nd year college student, began to carry out his childhood dream of helping the homeless children. One thing led to another, in the year 1999, he found himself as a witness of Vietnamese children being sold into sex slavery in Cambodia. Currently not only is he living with and helping homeless children, but he is also helping sexually abused children!
On June 5, 2004 Martino was ordained to the Priesthood in Savannah. But his zeal for being with these unfortunate children did not end! He continues to use his annual vacation to spend time with and helping them.
It has been more than 11 years from the beginning of his involvement with homeless children in many cities in over 20 countries; and 8 years since his first encounter with Vietnamese sexually abused children in Cambodia. He has done what he could with his close friends' help.
Beginning of 2008, Father Martino began to write true stories about these problems and received overwhelming support from beyond his circle of friends! People from all over the world, whom he has never met, wanted to help!
After many thoughts and prayers Father Martino's friends decided they needed to set up a foundation to carry out what they have "quietly" been doing in the past many years more effectively! That was when OBV was incorporated by law and then 6 months later received the status of a non-profit organization from the IRS in November of 2008! All glory to God for responding to our prayers so quickly!
You can help free a child from the 21st Century Slavery.
Please visit onebodyvillage.org
Stephen Nguyen on
