Shelter No 3 of Da Nang’s Care Centre for Agent Orange (AO) Victims and Disadvantaged Children in Hoa Vang District's Hoa Nhon Commune is considered as a fairy home for local AO-affected children because this is where the children are being cared for in the loving arms of the community.

Mr Hung and his daughters

The 220m² home has been built at a cost of 1.4 billion VND which was donated by Singaporean billionaire Harold Chan Soo York.  The kind-hearted Singaporean also provides a monthly allowance of 3,000 USD to the Association to ensure the best care for the children there and to help reduce the burden on their parents. 

Nguyen Huu Hung, 63 and from the district’s Hoa Lien Commune, is one such father.  He has to shoulder the burden of caring for his 2 daughters, 35-year-old Nguyen Thi Hanh and 30-year-old Nguyen Thi Hau, who respectively suffer from mental health difficulties and paralysis caused by AO exposure.

Mr Hung’s wife died 10 years ago, and he lost his right arm in an accident at work.  Due to his poor health, he now depends on a small monthly allowance of over 3 million VND.  Therefore, he finds it very difficult to provide the best care for his children.  However, the residential home has made his dream come true.  After Mr Hung took his daughters to the shelter, they have been provided with the best care by the home’s staff.

In addition to being looked after, AO victims are provided with free healthcare, nutrition, physical therapy, and rehabilitation services.  Many of them have seen significant improvements in their health situations. 

Nguyen Hoai Nien, 10, from Quang Nam Province’s Dai Loc District is a typical example.  Before being taken to the shelter, Nien just laid in bed because she suffers from cerebral palsy.  After several months of rehabilitation, the girl is now able to sit up and is aware of things around her.

Since last June, the shelter has given care to 12 AO-affected children and offered vocational courses for over 60 other children.  All the costs come from domestic and foreign generous donors.