After facing numerous difficulties, risks, and uncertainties and struggling to make a living on the streets, home is the best place for children to be. Home provides the safest and most peaceful sanctuary.
The stories of Thuy, born in 2009, Ha Noi
This is the place where my grandmother and I live. Now we have support to rent a safe house to settle.
With the support, my grandmother works as a sidewalk iced tea seller. She loves me and looks after me very carefully.
This is the school I started attending since getting the support. I am so excited about going to school again.
Participating in the class “Flourish” helped me change my life. I regained my confidence after the course.
I wanted to take part in a kung fu class to protect myself and my grandmother.
The stories of Thuc, born in 2009, Hung Yen
I like Ms. Huong, the social worker. I took this photo of Ms. Huong talking to a candy saleswoman near Hoan Kiem Lake when she was trying to find a way to help.
I asked my friend, Bong, to take this photo for me because this is the place where I sell candies and play around.
This is Ms. Cong who sells ice cream at the Thuy Ta Ice Cream Shop. I met her a year ago. I didn’t talk to her the first time I met her, but she talked to me and gave me ice cream.
The ATM near Hoan Kiem Lake is my shelter in case of rain and cold weather. Sometimes, when I feel sleepy, I go in here and take a nap.
I took this photo of the alley in front of my house. When I took it, my big brother was home from school.
This is where I often rest and play alone. It is near the Hoan Kiem Lake. I asked Mr. Vi to help me take this photo.
Tuan, Bong and I play, learn, and eat together. I am happy to have them as my friends.
I took a photo of my friend’s grandmother. I feel happy because every time I greet her, she smiles back at me.
Stories of Son, born in 2005, Đak Nong
After wandering through many cities and provinces, I came to Hanoi. The bench at the gate of the Ngoc Son Temple is where I sleep at night.
This is where I met the very first social worker named Mr. Tinh. After that talk with him, my life changed, and I have regained my faith in life.
I like skateboarding. I have practiced it a lot. Now I am confident that I am good at it.
This is the first hip hop competition that I participated in and won a shirt. The competition was organized by the Blue Dragon and their partners. It makes me feel proud.
I am studying circus because I want to earn money to help others. In the future, I want to be a social worker. That is my dream, so I will practice hard.
Stories of Ninh, born in 2003, Hoa Binh
This is Son, my close friend. Together we strive to improve ourselves.
I love learning hip hop because I want to discover new things.
Thuc, Thang, Huong are a group of friends that I often hang out with.
This is Ms. Minh, a social worker who I admire. She has helped me and other children.
I asked Ms. Huong, a social worker, to take a photo of the place under the Chuong Duong Bridge where I used to set up a tent to sleep. Back then, I wandered around wishing I could find something to eat because I was starving for weeks.
This is the restaurant where I used to work as a waitress. Mr. Tu, the restaurant owner, saw me sleeping at the door and hired me to work for him for a month. One day, I went to Hoan Kiem Lake to play and sleep. I was taken to the Social Protection Center, so I stopped working at the restaurant.
I asked my friend to take a photo of the Post Office near the lake where I usually sleep. I also get help from my older friends while living on the street.
I took this photo because this studio is my dream. I wish I could learn to take photos and then open a studio like this.
Stories of Thao, born in 2007, Ha Noi
To me, this bench in the area of the Hoan Kiem Lake is familiar. I often lie here with my friends. When I am sad, I sit here and cry.
This is my favorite corner at the Blue Dragon. I have a fun time talking and playing with my friend here.
Son and Tuan are my close friends. Tuan usually walks around the lake with me.
I took a photo of one of my meals at the Blue Dragon. I like eating here because it’s fun eating together and the food is delicious.
Stories of Tuan, born in 2010, Ha Noi
Chuot and his mom are street vendors near Hoan Kiem Lake. When I am selling goods, I play with Chuot even though he is younger than me.
The gate of the Ngoc Son Temple is where mom and I sell goods.
Ice cream is my favorite dessert. When I was young, while my mom and I were on the street selling goods, I used to stop at the shop and wish I could have ice cream.
My friend helped take a photo of me at the stump of the tree at Hoan Kiem Lake where I often play.
I like studying. I like math, Vietnamese and English.
Stories of Trinh, born in 2004, Sơn La
As I sit here, I remember the days when I wandered around and picked up people’s leftovers to eat. I can eat anything as long as it makes me less hungry.
The abandoned security booth on Thuy Khue Street is where I sleep and stay out of the rain. I usually get in here to sleep at 2 a.m. There is a lady who sells coconut water here. Sometimes when I am hungry, she buys bread for me to eat.
This bench is where I sleep at night if I don’t sleep at the security booth on Thuy Khue Street.
I want to learn to cook at the Hoa Sua School of Economics and Tourism so that I can become a chef and open my own restaurant.
The kitchen at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation is where I cook and help out. What I learn here will help me eventually fulfill my dream of becoming a chef.
I love reading books and stories about life. Whenever I have time, I go to the library to read books.
Out of all the subjects I study, I love online math the most.
Of all the sports, I love playing table tennis. It helps me get stronger and more agile.
Stories of Tai, born in 2007, Bac Kan
I took a photo of me eating a bowl of noodles, because I cannot forget that I had noodles on my very first day at the shelter. Thanks to that bowl of noodles, I am alive now.
This is Mr. Hai, the first social worker I met in Hanoi. He used to take me to my hometown. We both practice freestyle football.
I love freestyle football. My mentor, Mr. Tuan, tells me that as long as I practice a lot, I can earn money by performing.
I taught myself table tennis a long time ago, but recently I started playing again.
These are my older friends Huong and Thang playing jenga. I love them both. We play jenga together often.
Home is Always the Best Place to be
He is happy to see his family after years of making ends meet.
He is thrilled to see his family’s old roof.
The journey home
The social worker helped Hung return home to pursue his unfinished dreams.
Phi returned home after two months living on the streets of Hanoi.
An and Toan went home to be with their family after leaving because of a disagreement with their parents. They are now safe from dangers on the street.
Vietnam Women’s Union – For the Safety of Children
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; representatives of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union; leaders of ministries, agencies, and international organizations; and the Ambassador of the Program H’hen Niê pressed the button during the launch ceremony “Safety Year for Women and Children” on March 6, 2019
Academic Workshop: “Models of Social Work for Children Living in Special Circumstances” organized by the Faculty of Social Work, Vietnam Women’s Academy on September 26, 2018.
The Vietnam Women’s Union coordinated with the General Department of Police, Ministry of Public Security, to hold a seminar titled “Promoting the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse” in Ho Chi Minh City on July 28, 2017.
The lauch ceremony of the Legal and Psychological Advisory Group to support the Vietnam Women’s Union in the protection of women and children on May 18, 2018.
The Women’s Union of Vinh Long Province successfully introduced the project “Care for and Protect Girls from Sexual Abuse and Support Vulnerable Children, 2018 – 2022.” The project was approved by the People’s Committee of Vinh Long Province.
The Women’s Union of Lang Son Province discussed the implementation of the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control with the People’s Committee of Vinh Lai Commune, the People’s Committee of Van Quan District, the People’s Committee of Na Sam Town, and the People’s Committee of Van Lang District on October 30, 2018.
VWU Vice President Bui Thi Hoa and Union delegates participated in the launch ceremony for the initiative “Safety Year for Women and Children,” which was broadcast from Ho Chi Minh City on March 6, 2019.
Hội LHPN Việt Nam - Vì sự an toàn cho trẻ em
A ceremony for the launch of the exhibition “Family Longing,” was held at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in 2019. The exhibition was part of the implemention of Program 938 involving communication, education, mobilization and support for women to address women’s social issues from 2017 to 2027.
VWU Vice President, Tran Thi Huong, and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Protection of Child’s Rights, Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, along with delegates, visited the exihibition “Family Longing,” which is part of the Vietnam Women’s Union Project 938.
The Vietnam Women’s Union hosted the workshop, “Sharing Experiences and Safe Models for Women and Children” in Da Nang, March 23, 2019.
The Vietnam Women’s Union organized the workshop “Speaking Up to Make Our Children’s Lives Safe” in Ho Chi Minh City on June 9, 2019.
The Vietnam Women’s Union in collaboration with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences organized the National Science Conference “Safe Spaces for Women and Children – Policy Recommendations” on June 24, 2019.
The Vietnam Women’s Union in collaboration with the South Korean Women’s Development Institute hosted the Vietnamese – Korean forum, “Safety for Women and Children - Toward the Goal of Sustainable Development,” June 25, 2019.
On April 24, 2019, the Women’s Union of Nghe An Province held a launch ceremony for “Safety Year for Women and Children” and signed a commitment to build a community ward as a safe haven for women and children in Nghe An.
The Women’s Union of Phu Yen Province held the launch ceremony for “Safety for Women and Children 2019” and a forum on the “Prevention of the Abuse of Women and Children” on March 7, 2019.
Vietnam Women’s Union – For the Safety of Children
On June 4, 2019, the Women’s Union of Phu Tho Province, the Provincial Police Office, the Provincial People’s Procuracy, and the Provincial Court signed a cooperative agreement calling for the protection of women and children from 2019 – 2022.
The Women’s Union of Hai Phong City organized “A Safe City for Children,” a forum to help identify domestic and community violence and to discuss ways to prevent sexual abuse on March 29, 2019.
The Women’s Union of Chi Lang District, Lang Son Province cooperated with Chi Lang High School to host the workshop “Reproductive Health and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse” on March 7, 2019.
On May 27, 2020, the Women’s Union of Hanoi organized a meeting to review results of the implementation of Project 404, “Supporting and Developing Independent Private Children Day-care Groups in Industrial and Export Processing Zones for 2014 – 2020.” Implementation of the project coincided with the development of the pre-school curriculum.”
The board for the project “Supporting and Developing Independent Private Children Day-care Groups in Industrial and Export Processing Zones,” in Bac Ninh Province gathered at a forum on June 2, 2020, to evaluate the project and share experiences about management and implementation, as well as to discuss expanding this model to industrial parks and processing zones.
The Project 404 “Supporting and Developing Independent Private Children Day-care Groups in Industrial and Export Processing Zones up to 2020” has been underway in Duong Kinh District, Hai Phong, since 2016. Two centers currently received support and another has requested support.
The Women’s Union of Bac Ninh Province and the provincial board for the Project 404 donated the support package “School Supplies and Toys” to kids in day-care centers and schools.
In March 2019, the Women’s Union of Thanh Hoa Province organized the launch meeting for establishing the model “Safe Rural Areas for Women and Children”. To date, 173 safe rural areas have been set up across Thanh Hoa Province.
Vietnam Women’s Union – For the Safety of Children
On November 12, 2020, leaders of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam Women’s Union awarded certificates of merit to outstanding individuals and comrades who demonstrated excellent achievements in the implementation of Project 404 at a conference to highlight results of the project “Supporting and Developing Independent Private Children Day-care Groups in Industrial and Export Processing Zones up to 2020.”
The Women’s Union of Hanoi hosted a forum called “Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Among Women and Children” on June 20, 2020.
The Chu Prong Women’s Union of Gia Lai Province gave scholarships to disadvantaged students at the start of the new school year.
A haircut event for marginalized children in Dak Po District, Gia Lai Province
In October 2020, Vietnamese Women’s Museum staff showed a group of street children how to use the photovoice method to tell their stories through photography for the exhibition “24 Hours on the Street.”
Vietnamese Women’s Museum staff collected artifacts and conducted interviews to get information for the exhibition “24 Hours on the Street” in November 2020.
Joining Hands for the Children’s Future
A conference to introduce the initiative “Supporting Homeless Children and Preventing Them from Dropping out of School” sponsored by the National Fund for Vietnamese Children, a part of Ministry of Labour - War Invalids and Social Affairs
In September 2018, a talkshow “Lighting up Dreams” was organized by the Vietnam Association for Protection of Child’s Rights in coordination with the Vietnam Women’s Union, the People’s Committee of Da Nang, and the Association of Charity and Protection of Child’s Rights” in Da Nang.
In November 2018, 10,000 disadvantaged children took part in an educational program on financial management and social skills at their schools, which was organized by the Vietnam Association for Protection of Child’s Rights.
Hoa Sua School for Tourism - Economics provides disadvantaged youth with vocational training and helps them plan their future careers.
Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation provides disadvantaged children with critical services including safe shelter, lifeskills development, and career guidance. This support helps youth mature and regain their confidence in life.
Birla Children’s Village in Hanoi is a shelter for orphans ages 2 - 12. They receive nurturing and care until they reach 18.
KOTO is a vocational training program that aims to help at-risk and disadvantaged youth.
SOS Children’s Village in Hanoi is a shelter to raise and care for underprivileged kids, including orphans, disabled children, and street children.
The Social Welfare Center IV, part of the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs in Tay Dang Town, Ba Vi District, Hanoi, is a safe home for thousands of street children in Hanoi.
Helping from Osaka, Japan, on October 3, 2020, Ms. Chu Hai Nguyen and her 6-year-old daughter set off on a 500km cycling trip called “Cricket”, which aims to raise 100 million VND to help Vietnamese street kids.
Ms. Le Thi Ha from Cau Kho Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, decided to hold classes on English, traffic laws and ethics for more 30 kids in 2009.
Ms. Lieu Thi My Uyen, 54 years old from An Cu Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, runs a class for 20 disadvantaged kids from difficult circumstances. The students come from poor families and are lottery ticket sellers, street vendors, and orphans.
