The Charitable Centre of the Da Nang Association of Charities and Children's Rights Protection has nurtured dozens of disadvantaged children with orphaned parents. The nannies at the Centre are not only in charge of teaching but also being nannies, nurses, fathers or mothers and even friends for children here.

Ms Nguyen Thi Chin and Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh (right ) cook with their children. Photo: PHUONG MINH

They always love, care for and accompany the children on the arduous journey. As shared by 55-year-old nanny Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, who has over 5 years working here, she used to consider giving up during the first days she came here since this is a hard job. Children here have special circumstances, so they are psychologically unstable and it is difficult to teach them. However, she has gradually understood each child's situation and even loves them more.

As children lack the love of their parents, so they are always "rebellious" to attract the attention of adults. Taking the case of two half-brothers, Tran Quang Long and Vo Van Linh, as a typical example, Linh almost lived with low self-esteem, and guilt, did not contact or talk to anyone, and Long was disruptive and stubborn when they first came here.

Gradually, being cared for and taught by nannies here, Linh has now opened her heart and integrated with everyone. Long also helps nannies here do housework, and he even feels attached to this second home.

For the children at the centre, these nannies are both teachers, fathers, and mothers because they often share with the nannies whatever happens in their lives. For 51-year-old nanny Nguyen Thi Chin, this place is definitely her family. She said that the hardest part of her job is when the children are sick, even hospitalized. The nannies here have to stay in the hospital to feed them and encourage them to take medicine so that they can recover quickly.

On the weekly basis, Ms Chin goes home to Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District once, but she misses the children and can't stand it. Therefore, she often comes back to the centre after arranging the work at home.

Although the remuneration is not high while the work is much, Ms Chin shared that she wants to spend her whole life with the children having unfortunate fates to make up for the losses and disadvantages that they have to endure. Ms Chin, Ms Oanh as well as other nannies here all have difficulties in their married life, perhaps that's why they understand the unhappiness of children when adult relationships break down. Therefore, the bond of affection and empathy has linked them together to step through the pain, toward a brighter future.

Since 2012, The Charitable Centre of the Da Nang Association of Charities and Children's Rights Protection has been sponsored by the Organization "Giving It Back To Kids" (USA) with a long-term sponsorship of 4 billion VND (more than 170,000 USD) per year for the project “Raising orphans and poor children with extremely difficult circumstances in Da Nang”.

Most of the children here are orphaned fathers or mothers, even orphaned parents or abandoned, and most of them are children having difficult circumstances and having no source of nourishment. Through the project, 40 children from 4 to 18 years old have been nurtured in all aspects of nutrition, health, education, ethics and lifestyle. So far, many of them have grown up, fulfiled their basic academic paths and have stable jobs.

Reporting by PHUONG MINH- Translating by T.VY