Almost 160 children coming from ethnic minority groups and poor households in the central province of Binh Thuan have voiced their wishes for adequate facilities for studying, playing and free health check-ups.

They expressed the wish at a forum held in Phan Thiet City on June 25 by the provincial Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with the World Vision.

Vu Van Hoa from a school for street children shared his feelings, saying that everyday he has to earn a living in the street, facing looking-down views and vulnerable to risks of violence and assaults. “We hope that the whole society will open their arms to children like me, so that we would be able to live and grow up like other peers,” he said.

As part of the forum’s agenda, the children were provided with knowledge on children’s rights as well as skills of how to protect themselves from violence and sexual abuses.

Children’s thoughts and aspirations will serve as reference for policy-makers of all levels to work out appropriate action plans and policies supporting disadvantaged children, including those of ethnic minorities.-VNA