The Vietnam Children Sponsor Fund (VCSF) received over 33 billion VND from donors both at home and abroad to assist children in difficult circumstances through a charitable artistic programme held in Hanoi on Dec. 26.

The programme was jointly held by the VCSF, Oxy Media Joint Stock Company and Vietnam Television.

With the donation, collected from 20 agencies, businesses, and individuals, the fund plans to visit and present gifts to 33,000 children in January, 2011 in the northern provinces of Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Hai Duong and Thai Binh and the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh.

During the event, participants were deeply moved when viewing a documentary that tells a bout five children in Quang Binh province who became orphans after the Oct-Nov flood.

On the occasion, the VCSF handed over 25 gifts for poor and disabled children in Quang Binh province and Hoa Binh and Bac Can provinces.

Addressing the event, Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and VCSF Vice President Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said over the past 18 years, the fund has received a total of over 2.6 trillion VND, including a record 90 billion VND in 2010.

She expressed her wish that the fund would launch more similar activities and called on the whole society to joint hand for poor children.

At the event, Minister Ngan presented the “For the Cause of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs” insignia and certificates of merit for four units and 11 individuals who have actively contributed to supporting children in difficulties over the past time./.