The Association for the Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans has been awarded the Labour Order, first class for its role in helping the disabled and orphans.

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan presented the noble award to the association at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 15, on the occasion of the association’s 20 th founding anniversary (April 25).

Doan praised the kindness of benefactors who have joined hands with the State to take care of, protect and support the disabled and children, helping them integrate into the community.

Since its inception, the association has expanded its network to 43 provinces and cities nationwide with over 2,000 chapters at communal level and about 504,000 members.

Nearly 2 million people with disabilities and orphaned children have received help from the association, which pay their medical treatment fees, buy learning materials and organise vocational training courses from them.

Donors have contributed more than 621 billion VND to these charitable activities.-VNA