U.S. Fund supporter sponsors day-care center in Vietnam
Sandra Bisin, UNICEF
© UNICEF/Vietnam/2010/Bisin
UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Jesper Morch with some of the 200 children with disabilities who will benefit from services offered by the new day-care center in Da Nang
DA NANG, Vietnam (April 14, 2010) — Over 150 UNICEF partners, children with disabilities and their families gathered in Hoa Nhon commune in central Vietnam to celebrate the opening of a new day-care center for disabled children.
The center is expected to offer services for at least 200 children, including those who have been victims of dioxin (or ‘Agent Orange’) exposure. Educators at the school will provide the children with rehabilitation support, non-formal education, recreational activities and new skills in areas such as tailoring, embroidery, auto-mechanics and jewelry making.
“We are grateful to UNICEF Vietnam, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and to Patricia Lanza’s foundation for their generous contributions that will allow the construction of a third day-care center in the province,” said Nguyen Thi Hien, President of the Danang Association for the Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin.
A gift of the Lanza Family Foundation
Philanthropist Patricia Lanza, a long-time supporter of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, contributed close to $200,000 for the construction of the center on behalf of the Lanza Family Foundation. Two other centers, built in 2006 and 2007, currently provide 100 disabled children with care, physical and intellectual rehabilitation, and vocational training.
“Today is a unique opportunity to remind everyone that this groundbreaking ceremony is a dream come true for two women who have combined their efforts to ensure that the dignity of these children is respected, helping them become self-reliant and active participants in society,” UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Jesper Morch said during the ceremony.
“Mme Hien had the vision of taking essential services to vulnerable children living in rural areas. And Ms. Patricia Lanza – who during a visit to Vietnam had the chance to interact with these children and their families and understand the challenges they faced – was deeply moved and decided to support this project,” he added.
Hope for marginalized children
Globally, children with disabilities are among the most marginalized and excluded. Quite often, they have much more limited access to basic health care, education and other opportunities than their peers without disabilities. This discrimination not only leads to poor health and education outcomes but also affects children’s self-esteem and chances to interact with others – and puts them at a higher risk of being subjected to violence, abuse and exploitation.
According to a 2007 report by Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the disability prevalence rate was 6.3 percent of the total population, with 1.2 million children up to the age of 16 reported to have disabilities.
“I am really glad to see that we are building one more center. It means that I will have more friends,” said a smiling Le Thi Ha, 16. She has been benefiting from services offered at the existing day-care centers in Da Nang for the past three years.
Comprehensive approach to ending discrimination
The construction of the new center is part of a comprehensive package of activities in Vietnam that UNICEF is supporting to improve the lives of children with disabilities. Other activities include:
- Promoting awareness among key stakeholders of the rights and needs of children with disabilities
- Strengthening the capacity of national and local partners to address the specific needs of these children
- Developing policy, guidelines and manuals on alternative care models
- Early identification of disabilities to facilitate implementation of related policies, strategies and laws.
“We wish to build on the current success story and continue working with provincial and national authorities, using UNICEF’s convening power and ability, to establish linkages between partners to bring essential services to disabled children nationwide,” said Mr. Morch.
