HomeBlogA message of children’s protection from ABROADER and Bong Sen
A message of children’s protection from ABROADER and Bong Sen
ABROADER Team July 02, 2023 9 minute read
ABROADER partners with Bông Sen to protect children in Vietnam. Join us in promoting SDGs and creating a brighter future for all children.
Children’s Day in Vietnam is a national holiday dedicated to honoring the happiness and well-being of children. Each year, Vietnam celebrates International Children’s Day on June 1st. Furthermore, protecting children in Vietnam serves as a time to reflect on the rights, welfare, and happiness of children. Children’s Day, observed in different countries, consistently highlights the importance of meeting children’s needs and providing a secure environment for their growth. It serves as a reminder to prioritize their well-being and ensure a safe upbringing.
In Vietnam, the well-being and protection of children are of paramount importance. Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to grow, learn, and thrive. Recognizing this imperative, ABROADER and Bong Sen – a Vietnamese non-governmental organisation – have forged a collaborative partnership to address the challenges faced by children in Vietnam. By combining their expertise, and passion for child welfare, ABROADER and Bong Sen aim to protect children, create a safer and brighter future for the young generation.
The Importance of Children’s Day in Vietnam
Challenges Faced by Children in Vietnam
Children in Vietnam face numerous challenges and issues that hinder their well-being and development. According to Unicef’s 2022 report, a significant number of children in Vietnam lack access to quality education, limiting their opportunities for growth and advancement. These issues highlight the urgent need to address and combat these challenges to ensure a brighter future for Vietnam’s children.
According to recent reports, an estimated 1.5 million children have limited or no access to education, denying them the opportunity to acquire essential knowledge and skills for their future.
The severity of these challenges can be illustrated through statistics and examples. Disturbingly, cases of child trafficking and abuse persist, with thousands of children falling victim to these crimes each year. In particular, these statistics emphasize the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect and support the rights of children in Vietnam.
Emphasize the need to protect children’s well-being and safety
The need to protect the well-being and safety of children is of utmost importance. Children are indeed vulnerable individuals within society, and it is of utmost importance to provide them with special care. Creating a safe and nurturing environment is crucial to their growth, learning, and overall well-being.
Protecting children’s well-being involves safeguarding them from physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Moreover, this includes preventing child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and providing them with access to proper healthcare, education, and social support. By prioritizing the protection of children, we can provide them with the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
The role of Children’s Day in raising awareness about children’s rights
Children’s Day holds significant importance in Vietnam as it plays a crucial role in raising awareness about children’s rights. Various activities and events are organized on Children’s Day to highlight children’s entitlement to education, healthcare, and a secure environment. By focusing on children’s rights, this occasion encourages a society that prioritizes the welfare and development of its youngest members.
ABROADER and Bong Sen: Collaborative Efforts to Protect Children in Vietnam
Raising awareness about child protection issues and promoting education are top priorities for ABROADER. We strongly believe in safeguarding children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. In pursuit of these goals, we have had the opportunity to collaborate with Bong Sen.
Bong Sen, also known as Bong Sen Community Development Centre, is a local non-governmental organization (NGO). It was established in 2016 and is managed by the Union of Science and Technology Associations of Hau Giang Province.
The partnership between ABROADER and Bong Sen aims to leverage their individual strengths and resources to maximize their combined impact. We actively advocate for children’s rights, promote educational opportunities, and implement initiatives that improve their well-being and safety.
Bong Sen’s work and initiatives in child protection
Bong Sen focuses on two main programs: Girls’ Education and Women’s Livelihood Development. The program aims to support children in accessing quality education, ensuring they have equal opportunities for learning and personal development. Specific activities within the Girls’ Education program include:
Scholarship Grants
Monthly Support
Individual Mentoring
Online Remedial Classes
Online English Classes
Online Fine Arts Classes
Online Life Skills Training
Laptop Support for Girls
Infrastructure Support for Schools
Mobile Hand Washing Stations (HappyTap)
The Women’s Livelihood Development program, on the other hand, focuses on enhancing women’s economic self-reliance through various initiatives and activities.
The collaboration to address the challenges faced by children in Vietnam
ABROADER and Bông Sen have joined forces in addressing the challenges encountered by children in Vietnam through their collaboration. Then, we have implemented diverse educational programs and initiatives, exemplifying their shared dedication to raising awareness and providing educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
During their internship, our students have the remarkable opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the field of child protection.
Save the Children’s Commitment to Child Protection
Raising Awareness and Promoting Education
Let’s ask Tracy Dunlap – an English Teaching Intern at Bong Sen Center for Community Development!
Tracy’s internshipplayed a crucial role in our collective endeavors, as she diligently taught English to the project staff and girls at Bông Sen which help them tremendously with looking for support and works with foreign donors. More specifically, this collaboration showcases ABROADER and Bông Sen’s seamless partnership in raising awareness and providing educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
She said: “ I can’t think of anything that could have made this better. I wish I had more time of course. I thoroughly enjoyed this internship and wish it lasted longer!”
Paul Cruikshank, alumnus of the remote internship 2021 shared in his final presentation that he learned both technical skills and new things about himself. The video he made during the internship has been used for Bong Sen Centre’s marketing campaign. Moreover, he found it surprising that he can teach English better than he thought! Inspired and impacted by the remote internship, he decided to continue teaching English for Bong Sen Centre’s employees even after the internship ended until he found permanent paying employment. Bong Sen team members shared their thoughts in a farewell video to Paul on his last day with Bong Sen and wished him all the best for his new job! “Thank you Paul for helping me learn pronunciation, gain more knowledge about history and culture” “Thank you for being patient and helping me improve my English skills. Thanks to you I know more about the history and political news. Your lessons are very useful and I enjoy it very much.”
Furthermore, this collaboration has fostered an English-speaking environment, benefiting Bông Sen staff and female students. Through exposure to English, their language skills have improved, expanding their horizons and enabling effective communication with international volunteers and partners.
Strengthening Support Systems
The unwavering commitment of ABROADER and Bông Sen is evident in their collaborative efforts to strengthen support systems for vulnerable children. Working hand in hand, they tirelessly strive to ensure the well-being and upliftment of children in need, showcasing their shared dedication to making a positive impact. The stories that have emerged from their work are truly inspiring and will undoubtedly surprise you.
Building upon this collaborative approach, a group of IT students from ABROADER actively developed a data application and an online English teaching platform. This innovative utilization of technology showcases ABROADER and Bông Sen’s commitment to closing gaps and offering equitable opportunities for vulnerable children.
This fall we are proud to have extremely passionate, active and dedicated interns, just like Stuart Shreve. Stuart is working as Communications and Fundraising intern at Bong Sen Centre for Community Development. He once shared in an interview with us that when searching for a working abroad opportunities and saw the name Vietnam, Stuart knew this country is definitely where he wants to go. “As soon as I saw Vietnam, I was like I don’t care. I’m going to be working in Vietnam. I just made that decision in my head and I never let go of that idea!”. The local community in Vietnam needs more people like you, Stuart!
During Alexa’s time in Vietnam, she utilized GIS technology to develop data tracking files for households while teaching English to project staff, enhanced project presentations and supported evidence-based decision-making.
Let us continue to raise awareness, and work towards building a society where every child’s rights are respected and protected.
Empowering Children and Youth
In our shared commitment to empower children and youth, ABROADER and Bông Sen focus on capacity-building and training initiatives. We understand the transformative power of education and skill development, aiming to provide educational opportunities, vocational training, and mentorship programmes. By equipping children and youth with essential life skills and knowledge, the collaboration seeks to enhance their resilience and create pathways towards a brighter future.
Kelly’s life skills training sessions for girls at Bông Sen provide them with essential tools to navigate different aspects of life that help ensure their comprehensive development and prepare them for a promising future. These collaborative efforts by ABROADER and Bông Sen empower children and youth, ensuring their comprehensive development and preparing them for a promising future.
Making a Lasting Impact: ABROADER’s Commitment to Change
And yet, despite these differences, the impact of the collaboration extends beyond organizational benefits. Bong Sen has gained valuable knowledge and skills from the international students, who have demonstrated professional work ethics, and a systematic approach to tasks. In fact, this exposure to a diverse and professional working environment has positively influenced Bông Sen’s team, enhancing their own professional development
The success stories impact resulting from the collaboration between ABROADER and Bông Sen reflect the power of cross-cultural exchange and collaboration in creating sustainable change and empowering the lives of children in Vietnam.
ABROADER with an effort to protect children in VN aims to SDGDs
Every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood, filled with love, care, and opportunities to grow. Subsequently, Children’s Day serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the well-being and rights of children. ABROADER, with its dedication to protecting children in Vietnam and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), can play a significant role in celebrating this special day.
Finally, by celebrating Children’s Day, we can come together to make a positive difference in the lives of children, not only in Vietnam but also around the world.
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