The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is located in South East Asia, bordering China to the North, and Cambodia and Laos to the west. On the surface, Vietnam has done well to repair and heal from decades of war. However, one of the consequences of the many lives lost, and the environmental and economical impact is extreme poverty, especially for those living in rural, mountainous regions. As a result, parents leave their children with relatives in search for work, or they simply feel they cannot provide for their children and abandon them at a temple, church or orphanage. Although Vietnam has improved in many ways in recent years, we can’t ignore the country’s orphan crisis. It is estimated that there are approximately 2 million orphans in Vietnam. Poverty causes children to be forced to work; and those orphaned and abandoned are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. They are trafficked within the country, or across the border into neighboring countries, to work in different jobs, including the sex trade. For orphaned or abandoned children from ethnic minorities, such as the H’mong struggle even more. They do not speak Vietnamese, and suffer oppression. The girls are often married by 12, and become mothers by 15. Center of Hope works to change this reality.
Center of Hope Children’s Home is a non-profit organization that is giving care to children who are poor, abandoned, hurting, and orphaned. They work closely with the H’mong tribe and King tribe people. Most of the children taken in are from the H’mong tribe because poverty has taken their parents from them and they’re left to wander the jungle alone. It is not uncommon for parents to abandon their children at a church or temple. Center of Hope has formed a network of relationships with a church in the highlands and some local officials, who have been a steady referral source, bringing children who have been left on their doorstep or found in the jungle. Every child at Center of Hope is of the H’mong Tribe, and often cannot speak Vietnamese upon entering the home. The family on site has successfully taught the children Vietnamese through morning lessons, so they can enroll in school and have a chance at succeeding.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
This year, we have a goal to help improve the quality of care for these amazing children, and we need your help. Your gift will help provide education, a safe home, health, and adult mentors who can share the Love of Christ. Our promise to you is that 100% will go directly to the home.