Swiss families that adopt Vietnamese children gather at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Pham Hai Bang has praised the efforts made by the association of Swiss families that adopt Vietnamese children to help orphans and the elderly in Vietnam over the past two decades.
The diplomat made the praise at a recent ceremony held in Saint-Blaise, Neuchatel State to mark the 20th founding anniversary of the association.
The association, or the “Thi San’s friends” association, was established in 1995 and named after the name of a Vietnamese girl.
Association President Wanda Bledea said that over the past 20 years, the association has acted as a bridge connecting the families and contributed to charity and humanitarian activities in various Vietnamese localities.
Since 2008, it has so far raised 350,000 CHF (345,000 USD) for these activities. The money was used to build a vocational training centre in Ninh Binh province, and fund several centres for the elderly and disadvantaged children in Vinh Phuc and Nghe An provinces.
Thi San is adopted by the family of Guylaine Magnin, who was also the founder and the first leader of the association. She found her own parents 9 years ago and maintains close contact with her family.-VNA
