Last Saturday, a programme to appeal for help from domestic businesses to provide assistance to very poor children took place in Da Nang.

The event was jointly organised by the Viet Nam Children Sponsor Fund, and the Noi Vong Tay Lon Society Company.

In his remarks at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep said that the Viet Nam Children Sponsor Fund has raised a total of 6,500 billion VND from generous domestic individuals and organisations over the past 26 years. The donated money has gone to help millions of underprivileged children nationwide.

Currently, nearly 1.5 million out of around 26 million children nationwide are living in very difficult circumstances, and over 2.5 million others are facing high risks of falling in very difficult circumstances, Deputy Minister Diep added.

Mr Diep took the opportunity to appeal for more individuals and organisations from both home and abroad to join forces with the national government to help these disadvantaged children overcome their difficulties to have a better life.

Also at the event, some businesses signed agreements on donating over 10 billion VND in total for the Fund in attempt to help poor children.

To mark the occasion, the Fund organised the auction of a painting with gold fishes and lotus flowers and a string of pearls. The money collected from the auction will be given to children of naval soldiers who are on duty on the Truong Sa archipelago, and those of poor fishermen.

According to a spokesperson for the Fund, an arts programme entitled ‘For Children in Sea and Islands Areas’ will take place in Da Nang on the evening of 28 June.

At the programme, the Fund is expected to present 1,000 scholarships, valued at 2 million VND each, along with 1,000 gifts, to children of naval soldiers who are on duty on the Truong Sa Archipelago and the marine defence platform DK1, and those of poor fishermen in Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.

In addition, between 5 and 10 billion VND in cash and materials is expected to be raised by generous donors at the upcoming arts programme.