The Vietnam Friendship Village, a home for orphaned children and elderly people suffering from the after-effects of Agent Orange/dioxin, has so far provided healthcare, rehabilitation, education and vocational training to nearly 600 children from 34 provinces and cities nationwide. The figure was released at a ceremony on March 18 in Hanoi to mark the village’s 15th anniversary. The village has also offered medical care to over 3,500 war veterans, voluntary soldiers and Agent Orange/dioxin victims from central Quang Binh province northward. Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Vietnam War Veterans’ Association Nguyen Van Duoc commended the village for its fulfillment of assigned tasks. The Chairman said he hopes its staff will continue the village’s achievements and overcome difficulties to make it an exemplary community model. After 15 years of construction and development, the village has a residential area, and facilities to provide healthcare, vocational training and education. (vietnamplus.vn Mar 18)
