On Wednesday, Clipper Race crew members visited and presented gifts to children who are living at Shelter No 3 of the Da Nang Support Centre for Agent Orange (AO) Victims and Disadvantaged Children in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Nhon Commune.

The crew members learned about the Centre’s daily care activities for the AO-affected children, and visited the Centre’s chiffon flowers and incense-making classes.

The UNICEF Deputy Chief Representative in Viet Nam, Mr Jesper Moller, remarked “This visit is one of the most meaningful activities for the crew members.  The Centre is providing the best care for local AO victims and disadvantaged children, and helps them to confidently integrate into the community.  I hope this model will be expanded into other localities across Viet Nam".

Crew members and AO victims sing together

Jim Prendergast, the skipper of the UNICEF team’s racing yacht, said “All the crew members have shown a keen interest in raising funds for the support centres for AO Victims in Viet Nam.  They will appeal to their relatives and friends to raise funds when they return to their hometowns.  The aim of my team during the race is to raise 500,000 USD to help Viet Nam’s AO victims”.

Today (25 February), around 60 children from the Centre are being given the chance to get up close to the UNICEF team’s racing yacht at the Han River Port and to board the boat for a short tour.