Underprivileged children in the central province of Quang Tri have benefited from a number of projects by a Taiwanese non-governmental organisation over the past 16 years, heard a meeting on June 25.

The projects of Zhi-Shan Foundation (ZSF) from China’s Taiwan have been carried out since 1998 at a sum of 32.5 billion VND (1.5 million USD).

During the period, the ZSF has presented more than 1,000 scholarships worth some 1.2 billion VND (57,100 USD) every year to children with disadvantaged backgrounds.

Since 2000, it has given free surgeries totally worth about 7.5 billion VND (357,100 USD) to 670 children with deformities and helped rehabilitate the disabled under the age of 18.

Under another project supporting pre-school education since 2004, four nurseries have been built at a cost of 5 billion VND (238,000 USD) in Gio Linh, Cam Lo and Hai Lang districts while local staff trained in nutrition practice and health care.

It aims at ensuring access of all children in the target localities to education and reducing the rate of malnourished ones to below 10 percent.

On this occasion, the Quang Tri People’s Committee recognised contributions of the ZFS by awarding certificates of merit to three individuals.

Local authorities and the foundation also presented gifts to 914 students who achieved outstanding academic results.

Founded in 1995, the ZFS engages in long-term humanitarian international aid and development work.-VNA