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8.5 Billion VND Project Supporting Vulnerable Children in Ho Chi Minh City

date_range2025-02-19

Hồ Chí Minh City – 19 February 2025 – The Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Saigon Children’s Charity have officially launched the project “Connecting and Providing Support Services for Groups of Vulnerable Children and Children at Risk” with a total budget of over 8.5 billion VND. The project aims to contribute to the city’s efforts to enhance intervention and support services for children and youth in HCMC, enabling them to develop holistically in physical, intellectual, and emotional aspects.

The Story of T. and the Hope Found in a Charity School

“This job is very harmful and dangerous. I don’t want to go back to it. I just want to go to school and become a great chef someday.” These are the heartfelt words of T., a 12-year-old boy who once earned a living on the streets as a fire performer, swallowing fire and chewing razor blades.

Two years ago, T. roamed the bustling streets of HCMC, working dangerous jobs to survive, rather than sitting in a classroom like other children his age. Facing financial hardship and being too old to enrol in public school, T. became one of the many children in special circumstances at risk of exploitation and exposure to social evils.

However, T.’s life took a dramatic turn when he was discovered and supported by a benefactor who helped connect him to education through a charity school in HCMC. Since then, T. attends school regularly, studies hard, and nurtures his dream of becoming a chef.

Comprehensive Development for Vulnerable Children

To support children like T., the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights, in collaboration with saigonchildren, launched the project “Connecting and Providing Support Services for Groups of Vulnerable Children and Children at Risk” with a total budget of over 8.5 billion VND.

Mr. Damien Roberts, Executive Director of Saigonchildren, explained the rationale behind their involvement in the project during the official project launch on 19 February 2025: “Saigonchildren is a UK-registered charity established in 1992, operating exclusively in Vietnam to break down barriers to education for disadvantaged children. We’ve learned about children in HCMC facing especially difficult circumstances, such as children unable to attend school due to a lack of documentation or financial difficulties. Many of them start working at an early age, putting them at risk of abuse, violence, or involvement in social evils. Recognising this critical need for support, saigonchildren partnered with the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights on this project, with the hope that no child will be left behind due to their circumstances.”

Mr. Pham Dinh Nghinh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights, also emphasised: “This project does not only provide food, nutrition, health insurance, and educational support for children, but also includes training programmes to enhance the skills of teachers and caregivers in child protection. Additionally, the project addresses legal support, personal documentation, and psychological interventions to help children and their families overcome barriers and access education.”

By 2028, the project aims to:

  • Provide nutrition and health insurance support for 270–300 children annually.
  • Cover education costs, school supplies, and uniforms for at least 80 vulnerable children annually.
  • Organise training sessions and awareness programmes for 40–50 teachers and caregivers each year, focusing on children in informal classes or those with disabilities across the city.

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