Nov

Letter from a volontier

Posted by: admin in News

My impressive time at Binh Trieu Development Center

I was a volunteer at Binh Trieu Development Centre for two weeks. I left Japan on 15th June, 2007. I tried to travel around the world participating in some NGOs’ activities as a volunteer. On the first day I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, I was very surprised about Vietnam, because there are so many motorbikes and traffic jams. But when I went to Binh Trieu center, the atmosphere was calm and comfortable there and I didn’t feel the heat of Vietnam at all. Sister Hong Hanh (director of the center), the staff and the children welcomed me and made me relax. As I played the guitar, I taught the children some Japanese songs and showed some of them how to play the guitar.

When I visited the FFSC office in District 3, I met another Japanese man called Yuki who was of the same age as me. From then on, we went together to Binh Trieu Development Centre everyday. One day, on the way home, we had the idea that we could organize a special activity at the centre and I was excitedly thinking about the details to have a painting workshop. That was my dream. After the workshop I took some photos of each child with his or her painting and gave to them as a souvenir.

Today was my final day here, so I cooked my soul food called “Goya Chanpuru’’, which is a common dish in Okinawa (my home town), for all the people in the center. Yuki bought some fruit from Binh Trieu Market and made fruit punch. After dinner, we gave all the children their photos that we had taken the previous day.

When we left the center, everyone came to the bus stop to see us off; I almost cried thinking that I wouldn’t see their smiles any longer. I really appreciate FFSC for everything. I will visit again, I am certain. I sincerely hope the children can live cheerfully and happily in the future.

August 17, 2007
Hikari Tanaka

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Nov

Annual Report of Activities

Posted by: admin in Report

ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES
OF FRIENDS FOR STREET CHILDREN ASSOCIATION (FFSC)

2006-2007

FRIENDS FOR STREET CHILDREN ASSOCIATION (FFSC) is a social non-profit organization under the Ho Chi Minh City Catholic Committee. It was established in 1993. After 4 years of an experimental period, FFSC programs were introduced formally in 1997.

Currently FFSC delivers its social services to 1500 children and their families in 8 Development Centers and a Development Class. These include: Binh Trieu, Binh An, Hy Vong, Pham Van Hai, Le Minh Xuan, Tan Huong, Binh Tho, Thu Thiem and Tu Xuong.

The goal of Friends For Street Children is to serve as a bridge to improve the living conditions of children at risk. FFSC provides social programs and services for children and their families so that they can enhance their available resources and at the same time, be protected against all forms of abuse.

I. Shelter

Last year the center received 30 children with very difficult circumstances: having no parents, no place to stay…

The center not only provided care, basic needs such as food, clothes, activities, a place to learn but also monitored every children’s activities closely.

The budget for caring children comes from scholarship. Therefore, if sponsors would like to support children to go to school until they grow up, the center will continue raise them.

Contacting children: The center helped children who had inappropriate behavior, vague understanding about sex and adolescence have a balanced, healthy life. The center made home visits and family integration for 6 children. The families were prepared to receive their children and the living environment was suitable for their development: They were loved and safe.

The center made home visits and family integration for 6 children. The families were prepared to receive their children and the living environment was suitable for their development: They were loved and safe.

Children are over 15 years old accept reality, live a responsible and independent life or have a stable job. Read the rest of this entry »

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