Happy Planet Children embarked on its first fundraiser in 2018 to support orphaned and abandoned children in Vietnam. We were moved by the encouragement and support we received with donations exceeding $5,000. The funds received went towards meeting the basic needs of the 200 children at The Center for Innocent Children (Trường Khuyết Tật Bé Thơ) in Biên Hòa, Vietnam, which was founded in 1990 by Sister Maria Daniel Vu Thi Vinh.
When we sat down at the beginning of 2019 to brainstorm our plans for the new year, we agreed to raise $5,000. We then raised the bar to $10,000. Fast forward twelve months and we are pleased to share that we exceeded our goal and raised $20,000 from 120 individual donors, four institutional donors, and four sponsors providing children a path to self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
2020 was no ordinary year with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting each and every one of us in different ways. While there has been unmeasurable pain and suffering, there have also been inspirational and heartwarming moments. From the staggering toll of the pandemic, a shared story of human kindness emerged. We are so grateful to our donors who helped raise $15,348.
The funds raised in 2020 allowed Sister Vinh to fund essential services during a time of need when The Center for Innocent Children could not receive visitors. This experience left us humbled by the generosity of our donors and renewed our faith in the goodness of people who chose to join us on our mission to make the world a better place, one child at a time.
Touched by the helplessness of a group of children who were abandoned by their families or orphaned, and the desperate situation they faced, Sister Vinh found temporary housing and took them in. Wishing to provide them with opportunities for a happier, healthier, and more rewarding life, she provided them with shelter, sent them to school, and encouraged them to obtain a vocational education. Thus the Center for Innocent Children was born.
So who are these children? Meet Vu Nguyen Hong Ngoc, Vu Thi Luan Mai, and the twins. There are no words to describe how blessed we feel for having met these loving children who given the opportunity will grow up to become remarkable adults.
With the generosity and helping hands from donors like you, the Center has thrived for 30 years. Currently, the Center cares for abandoned newborns, children with disabilities, and orphans. Even though the Center has improved immensely from the temporary housing of the earlier days, the Center is stretched over its capacity. Between the limited resources, and the increasing demand for housing, food, education, and medical care, the Center has been struggling to keep taking care of the children.
To stay open and continue to provide the children with basic necessities, the Center is looking for your support. A one-dollar-a-day sponsorship would bestow a child with food, housing, and tuition. With enough support, the Center will be able to fulfill its mandate to provide the children with a decent childhood, an education, and a chance at a better life.
February 12th marks the beginning of Tết, when Vietnamese people around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year. To our Vietnamese friends, "Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!" To all of our friends, colleagues, and family, we ask that you consider supporting this fundraiser. Your donation will make a small dent in the universe and a big impact in the lives of these deserving children.
100% of your donation will go to funding projects as the fundraiser organizers will personally cover the payment processing fees charged by GoFundMe for all online transactions ($0.30 per donation + 2.9%).
Please note that you will not be able to claim your donation as a tax-lowering gift - at least in the United States. This fundraiser is not eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions since it is not officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as having 501(c) (3) status. Hopefully, this won't stop you from making the world a better place!
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Annie Nguyen (2022) Annie Nguyen (2021)
Ly Mai Paul Tocatlian
Anonymous Donor (2) Anh Thu John Yoo Kimberly Nguyen May Pham Sazi Temel Thu Vo Yen Van