The "Mua xuan cho em" fund raising programme in 2016 (Source: qdnd.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Nearly 60 billion VND ( 2.67 million USD) was donated to disadvantaged children under a fundraising programme organised by the Vietnam Children Sponsor Fund (VCSF) and Vietnam Television in Hanoi on January 16.
The programme, “Mua xuan cho em” (Spring for children), was part of activities to support needy kids in honour of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
Attending the event, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen affirmed that the Party and State always paid special attention to caring for, protecting and educating children.
The State has been making every effort to promote the participation of communities, toward providing better supports to children, Chuyen said.
In 2015, the VCSF raised 88.7 billion VND (over 3.9 million USD ), and helped more than 100,000 children with difficult situations nationwide.
Close to 14,000 children were given free check-ups during the year. Around 3,000 of them got free heart, eye, harelip and musculoskeletal malformation surgeries. Meanwhile, more than 13,000 children benefited from construction and upgrades on schools, and more than 10,000 received unscheduled support.
The programme also gave scholarships and long-term sponsorship to nearly 6,000 children, while presenting bicycles and study tools to over 6,000 others.
According to Minister Chuyen, Vietnam is still facing great challenges in caring for and educating children.
Statistics show that Vietnam has 26 million children. A round 1.5 million of them are facing difficult conditions and have yet to gain access to protection, care and education services.
The Minister called for stronger efforts from the community, aiming to bring a better future for Vietnamese children.
On the occasion, Minister Chuyen presented certificates of merit to 11 organisations and individuals for their contributions to caring for, protecting and educating children in 2015.-VNA
