Beautiful Vietnam
Vietnam is blessed with bountiful, thick, green harvest. Soaring with gorgeous mountains, stunning coast line and radiant rice fields. It is becoming a huge tourist destination for the wealthy.Vietnam History Vietnam is a world away from Canada. A communist world torn from decades of war and poverty. It's population is around 84 million people. A young country with 65% of it's people 35 years old and younger. A two child policy is enforced.
People of Vietnam Vietnamese women take a lot of pain for little gain. They work hard and have little authority. The trafficking of poor, rural women into the sex industry in Cambodia is still a huge problem. Many families sacrifice one of their daughters to the sex industry for the rest to survive. They do not believe in western birth control. If a young girl gets pregnant they may seek an abortion, or due to poverty hand the baby over to an orphanage, or attempt to raise the child. Their average wage is $20.00 USD a month.
Children of Vietnam Many Vietnamese children work hard on their families' farm. Those children who are from wealthy families will attend school. School is not free in Vietnam. Each family has to buy their child a uniform and pay for the school tuition. If the family can not afford the uniform or tuition, the child does not go to school. School tuition and uniform is usually $10.00 USD. Many rural children in Vietnam only eat rice as the family can not afford vegetables and meat.
Vietnam's Orphanages Most orphanages in Vietnam are over crowded with children of all ages. The walls of most orphanages are covered in mildew. Children and babies lay in metal cradles or beds with no mattresses or pillows for their heads. There are few workers as the training is too expensive for the average Vietnamese person. The babies may be dropped off by mothers who say,"I'll be back to get them in a few months time." However, years pass and the child is now being raised in an orphanage. They are the children Left Behind. Some babies are abandoned at the orphanage door steps, and after wide government searches for their families, the baby is adopted out internationally.
Orphans Left Behind These are the beautiful Vietnamese children stuck in an orphanage and unable to be adopted out due to an illness, disability or most commonly left by their mothers/families who have never gone back to pick them up.
TDH Terre Des Hommes Canada is a Humanitarian organization and adoption agency. They have helped thousands of children all over the world. They have torn down old, dirty orphanages and have built safe, beautiful orphanages for the children to live in. They help pay for the children's uniforms, schooling, food, provide comfortable beds and medical treatment.
How can you help the Children Left Behind?
Come and learn about the Children Left Behind at the TDH Gala or send a donation.
TDH Charity Gala Friday, April 9th, 2010
Le Jardin Event and Convention Centre
8440 Highway 27
Woodbridge, Ontario
Reception at Six O'Clock in the Evening
Tickets $85.00 per adult
There will be a silent aution.
