Asia

Vietnam

Social and professional integration of former street children

Terre des hommes Foundation is active in Vietnam since 1992, working in partnership with local organisations to allow children and young people in street situation to build a future that they have chosen for themselves. After 19 years, based on the rapid development of the country but also on the competences acquired by its partner organisations, the Foundation decided to stop its activities in Vietnam to focus on another country of the region, Myanmar. All projects led by Tdh have found funding for the coming period and will be able to continue their activities.

The context

Economic growth in Vietnam makes the cities appear attractive to poor families from rural areas. Often without identity documents and lacking proper access to social services, children who have migrated to the cities find themselves on the street and become easy prey for exploitation.

Our intervention in the field

• Since 2001, Terre des hommes (Tdh) run, together with Vietnamese partner organisations, a programme that aimed at the reintegration of children and young people in a street situation in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City and Cao Lanh Town. The objective was to ensure the social and professional reintegration of children and young people at risk, through schooling, vocational training, life skills and support in obtaining legal papers.

• In the past, Tdh has supported shelters for school age children and group homes for adolescents who cannot live with their families. Today, three counselling & referral desks have been established in poor urban centres where social workers do preventive work with families and children at risk.

• Professional integration of children and young people who have dropped out of school, because of their age or because of the economic situation of their family, is essential. Tdh insured that these boys and girls have the opportunity to learn a job, in mechanics, sewing.

Centered at 108.277199 14.58324 6

Places of intervention : Hô-Chi-Minh-Ville, Cần Thơ, Cao Lãnh

Projects : Social and professional integration of former street children, Strengthening partner organisations

In joint cooperation with : Ministries of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Centre for Education and Vocational Training for Children, HCWF, Thien An Institution

Budget : 30'000 CHF

Gallery

Latest News

30 Sep 2011 • Street children Vietnam
"In Vietnam, what did we learn?"

"In Vietnam, what did we learn?" This is the question that Terre des hommes pondered about during its last year of presence in Vietnam in 2010. With a valuable experience of nearly 20 years working with local organisations for a better social and professional integra... Read more
22 Dec 2010 • Street children Vietnam
Terre des hommes closes its office in Vietnam after 19 years of intervention

Thanks to the fast development of the country and the skills gained by its partners, Terre des hommes has decided to close its office in Vietnam after 19 years of intervention. Read more

Side Notes

Children’s situation

16% of children between 5 and 14 years old have to work
12% of children have not been registered at birth in Vietnam

Results 2010

2010 was the last year of a three years disengagement phase of Terre des hommes Foundation’s Programme for Social Protection and Integration of children in street situation. At the end of March 2011, Tdh did officially withdraw from Vietnam, in order to develop similar activities in Myanmar. In Vietnam, we observe a remarkable progress in poverty reduction and a greater attention to child protection. Tdh’s close cooperation with local partner organisations (both state and non-state) and their strengthening through the provision of professional training and capacity building have made it possible for them to take over. They will continue the social activities in the area of basic education, vocational training and legal recognition for children and youth at risk of falling in street situation.

Testimonial

At the age of 15 Binh left his family, who were living in extreme poverty in the north of Vietnam. Before leaving, he had worked and managed to save some money. His father was an alcoholic, and Binh nurtured hopes that his leaving would encourage his father to stop drinking.

- Binh, Tdh beneficiary in Vietnam