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Social Protection Center IV, Northern Vietnam (2017)

Home to over 50 children & over 100 elderly and disabled adults. During our visit, we were able to provide school & art supplies, no perishable food items for the adult residents, snacks for all of the children & unpoppable Futbols for every grade & class of student. The director of Social Protection Center 4 was incredibly accommodating & welcomed us with local green tea. We shared tea and discussed the ins and outs of the center. The director explained that many of the residents had lost contact with their families or no longer had any family & was unable to provide care for themselves.

The center is funded by a monthly government allowance to maintain all of the services at the center. This amount is predetermined and does not change or increase when the number of residents goes up or down. It is for this reason that the gift of unpoppable balls for PLAY, art supplies, food items and snacks were warmly received.

Despite missing several of the items that make our lives comfortable here at home in the states. The people and students living at the center all agreed. That the sense of community and togetherness here is what makes it feel like home. When speaking with the oldest resident (106 y.o.) she mentioned that, she enjoyed seeing & hearing the children play & that she liked having a roommate to keep her company.