As reported last Thursday, a residential home for paralysed Agent Orange (AO) children in the Shelter No 3 of Da Nang’s Care Centre for AO Victims and Disadvantaged Children was officially opened last week. 

The 240m² home, located in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Nhon Commune, was built at a cost of 1.2 billion VND which was donated by Singaporean billionaire Harold Chan Soo York.  The kind-hearted Singaporean will also provide a monthly allowance of 3,000 USD to the Association to ensure the best care for the children there. 

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Mr Harold said “The newly-built home will not only provide the best care for local AO-affected children, but it will also help to reduce the burden on their parents”.  He pledged that he would support the care of local AO-affected victims and their mothers until he dies. 

Eighty-year-old Hoang Thi The from Cam Le District’s Hoa Tho Dong Ward is one such mother.  She has to shoulder the burden of caring for a son and a daughter, both around 40 years of age, who suffer from paralysation caused by AO exposure.  Over past years, she has made every effort to find a suitable place to provide the best care for her children, but she did not find anywhere in the city which would accept paralysed AO victims.  The newly-built residential home has made her dream come true.

Mother May (right) taking care of her children Trinh and Truc

Another mother is May from An Trach Village in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Tien Commune.  Her husband, Mr Xong, used to be a serviceman in Gia Lai Province’s Duc Co District, and he served in campaigns in Cambodia.  Mr Xong was exposed to dioxin and this resulted in May having 2 AO-affected children.  The children are Trinh and Truc, both now around 20 years old.  Mrs May said “I can have a good sleep at the new home thanks to its airy spaces.  In addition, the venue is less strenuous for me because it offers personal hygiene services and meals for my children”.

The new residential home will provide AO-affected people with free of charge accommodation from one week to several years depending on their needs.  Their mothers are allowed to stay with their children in the venue, and they can take care of their children and other victims.

Hoa Vang District is now home to 90 second-generation AO victims.  Some of their mothers used to have suicidal thoughts, but they soon overcame their selfishness and tried to give the best care for their disabled children.