Delegates text SMS to support children with disabilities in 10 highland border provinces in Hà Nội on Friday. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HÀ NỘI — A nationwide charity programme to support children with disabilities in 10 highland border provinces has been launched in Hà Nội on Friday.

The programme, entitled 'Supporting children with disabilities to go to school', will be jointly implemented by the Vietnam Fund for Disabled Children, Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Vietnam Disabled Children Relief Association and the National Humanitarian Electronic Information Portal 1400.

The programme aims to raise funds for at least 1,000 gifts for children with disabilities in difficult circumstances who are able and willing to attend school. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

The programme aims to mobilise resources from agencies, organisations and people nationwide to raise funds for at least 1,000 gifts for children with disabilities in difficult circumstances who are able and willing to attend school. The 10 highland border provinces include Cao Bằng, Hà Giang, Lào Cai, Lai Châu, Điện Biên, Quảng Ninh, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Đắk Lắk and Đắk Nông.

The organising committee plans to provide VNĐ2 million for each child to help students pay tuition and living expenses or buy equipment for their studies in the next school year.

In addition, the programme also aims to raise awareness among the community, the public and local authorities about the equal right to education for children with disabilities.

There are currently about 8 million people with disabilities nationwide, of which more than 2.26 million are children. More than 90 per cent of children with disabilities lack access to at least two basic social services such as education, health care, nutrition, housing, clean water, sanitation, information, social integration and safe living environment, according to the Vietnam Fund for Disabled Children.

The organising committee plans to provide VNĐ2 million for each child to help students pay tuition and living expenses or buy equipment for their studies in the 2024-25 school year. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

All kind hearts across the country can support the campaign by texting TEKT to 1407 at the National Humanitarian Portal 1400. Each SMS will add VNĐ20,000 (US$0.9) to help children with disabilities have the opportunity to go to school. The texting programme will run from May 25 to July 23, 2024.

Donors can also support directly with a transfer to the Vietnam Fund for Disabled Children's bank account. A note or label for the transfer should read 'TEKT'. The Fund's receiving accounts are as follows:

Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam - Vietcombank

Account name: Fund for Disabled Children

Account number VNĐ: 00110 0381 4022 - CIF: 481 3569

USD account number: 00113 7381 4041 - CIF: 481 3569

Swift Code: BFTVVNVX 001

Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade - Vietinbank - Hai Bà Trưng Branch, Hà Nội

Account name: Foundation for Vietnamese Disabled Children

Account number: 121000034371

Thương Tín Commercial Joint Stock Bank - Sacombank - Bình Chánh Branch, HCM City

Account name: Foundation for Vietnamese Disabled Children

Account number: 0600952684663

Donors can also send school supplies and equipment to support children with learning disabilities at the headquarters of the Vietnam Fund for Disabled Children:

Southern Office: 184 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 3, HCM City.

North Office: 20th Floor, HCMCC Building No. 249A, Thụy Khuê Street, Tây Hồ District, Hà Nội.— VNS