|
It is 20 years ago, that I first arrived in Vietnam and what a journey those 20 years have taken me on. From the very first moment I came to Vietnam, I loved the people of this country, and 20 years later I continue to do so.
My Foundation has come a long way since the first renovation of a dilapidated building at 38 Tu Xuong Street, HCM City in 1990. The Social & Medical Centre for disadvantaged Children-the flag ship of our Foundation.
To date we have implemented over a 100 life saving sustainable programs in Vietnam, and since 1997, further similar programs in Mongolia, that have saved and nurtured the lives of hundreds of thousands of street and destitute children, and in many cases the lives of the children's parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We have assisted in helping to build the infrastructure for future generations to come, so all can flourish and be free of the on-going poverty cycle that both countries have suffered for far too long.
All my Foundation has done and achieved over the years, is give people back their basic human rights, give them opportunities, and always with love, respect and dignity to the individual. It is every human beings responsibility to give this to all who need it and do not have it, no matter how small the gesture.
Of course I have not done this entirely alone. Over the years many hundreds of people, around the globe have helped me to give children back their childhood, not to mention the thousands of people that have donated funds, gifts, professional advice and time to the Foundation, and there are those who have donated their hearts and time to the children and continue to do so; showing them they are special, they are loved and cherished, they are unique, they are important, and that they can and they will have dreams. And there are those that have donated their generosity and support to me personally, to help me continue in what I set out to do. To you all, I thank you so very much.
Over the last 20 years, I have seen many of the children we have helped grow into proud and healthy young adults, and with determination and courage they broke the poverty cycle that they were born in to. And there are those young adults that didn't or haven't managed to do so for one reason or another, but we are no less proud of them and we will continue to be there for them when we can.
The work of the Foundation will continue while those in need, need our help. However, we rely heavily on the goodwill of all people, and we cannot continue in our work without your support, so please, do keep supporting us in our work for the children.
As I have so often said, the future of our world is the future of our children.... Our beautiful children. For many of them, it is a matter of 'giving them back their future', giving them a life, giving them hope.
God Bless
Christina
"We can create the light through the darkness for every child but only if we believe in childhood."
|
|
