Da Nang now has 3 shelters for Agent Orange (AO)-affected victims.  One is in Thanh Khe District’s Thanh Khe Tay Ward, a second is in Hai Chau District, whilst the third is in Hoa Vang District's Hoa Nhon Commune.

The shelters are under the management of the city’s Support Centre for AO Victims and Disadvantaged Children of the municipal Association of AO Victims (DAVA). 

Together the 3 venues are offering extensive care and rehabilitation services for over 220 AO-affected children.  They also provide literacy and vocational training courses for their AO-affected children and other AO victims from across the city who are in need of learning.  The purpose is to help them find suitable jobs to match their capabilities and health conditions.  Thanks to the great efforts made by the staff members involved, many unfortunate children are now able to use computers and make chiffon flowers, incense sticks, and glass beadings.  This helps them to confidently integrate into the local community.

AO-affected children having a meal

Shelter No 3 in Hoa Vang District's Hoa Nhon Commune was built in 2011, and the 11,000m² venue now has 15 staff members who are responsible for taking care of 70 AO victims, including 10 paralysed children. 

Over the past 5 years, these staff members have become actively involved in helping disabled children to engage in literacy learning and other soft skills, as well as providing them with simple vocational training courses.  The staff members have also paid special attention to planting vegetables and raising pigs and chickens to ensure the daily nutrition for these children.

The majority of children are quite timid and fearful of silence, and they find it impossible to do anything by themselves during their first days at the shelter.  Thanks to the great efforts of the devoted staff members, the children are able to access the best rehabilitation services and receive useful training courses and lessons.  The children, therefore, are able to confidently mingle and play with their friends.  Most notably, they can help their ‘teachers’ with some simple daily tasks, including watering the flowers and feeding the pigs.

Chairwoman of DAVA, Mrs Nguyen Thi Hien, said “We have yet to help all AO victims across the city due to the shortage of operating funds, which mainly come from donations from domestic and foreign individuals and organisations.  We are making every effort to receive more victims into our shelters, and we hope that even more generous donors will help us to relieve the pain of AO victims”.