Nearly three tonnes of rice together with a lot of necessities were donated to Birla Children's Village Hanoi under a charity programme on December 1.
Donations
The donations were given by a number individuals and organisations across Vietnam under a programme “Gop gao cho con” or raising rice for disadvantaged children.
Apart from rice, a lot of other necessities were donated, including three medical boxes, 20 bottles of cooking oil, 150 bags of detergent, 150 bottles of dish washing liquid, and 150 blankets, pillows and drapers.
This is part of a wider programme called “Bon mua yeu thuong”, a photo contest which was jointly launched in 2010 by Hanoi Television, ALO Media and Song Hong Garment Joint Stock Company. The programme was conducted with the coordination by Phu Nu newspaper, lamchame.com forum and O To Fun forum.
The village was set established 1987 under the management of the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
To date, the village has received and cared for over 600 children, more than 400 of whom have re-integrated into the community. Twenty are studying at universities, colleges and vocational training schools.
Currently the village houses 150 disadvantaged children who are divided into four 'families' which are taken care of by two mothers each.
Each child is provided with VND800,000 (USD38.3) per month, including VND700,000 for meals and VND100,000 for other living expenses.
However, amid high inflation, the funding has become too modest.
According to Chu Dinh Viet, the village director, over the few past years, several donors have given books, learning equipment, clothes and other necessities to children of the village. The programme has helped the village overcome its challenges.
An award ceremony for the photo contest, “Be voi thien nhien”, or children with the nature was also held.
The organising board granted encouragement prizes to 15 families. Two families won third prize, worth VND5 million (USD239.7) and two families won second prize, worth VND8 million (USD393.5). One family was awarded the first prize, worth VND15 million (USD719).
