[VN Courier 4/7] Disadvantaged children call them "mom"

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Disadvantaged children call them "mom"

By Viet Hoa
The children at the Hoa Binh II village weren’t even born when the war
with the Americans ended 22 years ago, yet they still suffer its
effects. 

At Hoa Binh II village, part of Ho Chi Minh City’s Tu Du Obstetric
Hospital, two French women in white blouses, Roseline and Catherine,
care for handicapped children.
Miss Catherine, a member of Riziere society of France, was sent to
Vietnam to work in the physiotherapy ward. 

”We are very glad when we can help a child with congenital defects check
out of hospital and lead a normal life,“ she said. ”We have no greater
joy than helping these children.“
Catherine said she had applied for an extension of her stay to help the
children.
Dr Phuong Tan said Catherine’s help is much appreciated. 

”She is highly qualified in physiotherapy and has worked
wholeheartedly,“ he said. 
This cooperation based on mutual respect and assistance has inspired the
staff of the Hoa Binh II village to work eagerly in a friendly
atmosphere.

In addition to the children under treatment at the functional
rehabilitation centre, the hospital is also fostering 40 disadvantaged
street children. These children are brought up and given access to
schooling until the hospital can find a sponsor for each of them. 
Christina Noble, founder of the Christina Noble Children’s Fund (CNCF),
has been referred to by Vietnamese street children as ”Mother Tina“.

Each year, the fund spends about 600,000 USD bringing up 1,200 street
children. 
The Irish woman herself had an unfortunate fate in her childhood.

She said that as a street child herself she once longed for affection
and help, and that she wished to come to Vietnam to help street children
after the war.
In 1989 her wish came true.
 ”To me, it’s a great joy to come and help Vietnamese street children,“
she said with a smile.

VNC