Christmas for Vietnamese orphans
We are attempting to raise funds to help bring Christmas to an orphanage in Hai Phong, Vietnam.
Hoa Phuong Orphange and School is located on Ngo Gia Tu Street in Hai Phong city. The orphange is home to 58 young people aged from 3-18 years old. Most of the residents were abandoned by their families as babies. Fourteen of the children have severe disabilites, as a result of dioxin (Agent Orange) poisoning from the American War.
The orphanage recieves state funding to cover running costs, but this is very basic. They grow all their own food - so are self-sufficient - but with so many mouths to feed, meals are very simple. Many children cannot eat solid food due to their disablities, and require several adult nappies a day. There are so many children to feed and clothe, but resources can only cover necessities. The staff are hard-working, but overstretched. (Average pay in Vietnam is only £108 a month). Winter has arrived, and they aren't prepared. They rely on donations of clothing - but these are often thin and spoilt. There are only a few toys and games, as education costs are high. The children have a football pitch, but play in flip-flops with a rock.
Our project is to help fund a massive Christmas donation to the orphanage. We are aiming to provide every orphan with the essential items for winter: a blanket, a jumper, a coat, 2 pairs of socks, a pair of shoes and jogging bottoms. We would also provide a month's supply of adult nappies for the disabled children.
If we can go further, we would also like to get the children Christmas presents. We would like to buy a football kit for every child, 6 footballs, 8 badminton raquets, shuttlecocks, dolls, chess sets, arts and crafts materials and wooly hats.
We have already organised two pub quizzes to help fundraise for the Christmas hamper. I am then matching the total of the quizzes myself. But this is not enough to match our ambitions. As well as seeking donations from other foreigners living in Hai Phong, we would also like to ask for your help to help bring Christmas to the orphans.
A little money goes a long way in Vietnam. We only have two weeks to reach our target for everything to be ready in time for Christmas. All essential items will be delivered as soon as possible, because the nights are getting cold.
Please consider buying an extra present this year, so 58 kids can celebrate their first ever Christmas.
