The Nguyen Nga Charity (NNC) is a charitable association for handicapped young people with special needs, offering education, free job training, and job placement assistance. Many of the students are provided room and board. They are given rare opportunities for self-expression and enjoyment through creative writing, drawing, painting, music, song and dance. The NNC helps handicapped youths to overcome their feelings of social inferiority and helps them toward financial independence.
This organization was founded in July 1993 with the aim of "Improving the quality of life for handicapped youths with special needs. " Since then, over 350 students have completed their training here. The NNC now operates at two locations in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province in Central Vietnam.
Previously located at the 100 Phan Boi Chau Street building, vocational training was provided for 60 physically handicapped youths. They learnt: computer skills, knitting and sewing, embroidery, design and manufacture of Ao Dai, the traditional Vietnamese dress, and manufacturing of many handicraft items. All of the products were sold from the show room, where students also learnt business and retail skills. Many of these physically handicapped youths were provided room and board on the premises.
Our second location is the school for the Down syndrome at 30 Nguyen Van Be Street. Room and board is provided for more than 24 students. Here literacy and life-skills education is provided.
Since opening in 1993, the NNC has received valued spiritual, technical and financial assistance from many individuals and organizations. Recognizing their own responsibility and the importance of care and protection of the disabled, the People Committee of Binh Dinh Province granted rental exemption on both premises in 2000. Such assistance, coupled with the diligent work of the students, has seen the NNC grow and flourish. All efforts would have been fruitless without the students will to be self-reliant and to integrate themselves into the broader community. The products that are made are shown and sold at many exhibitions and retail outlets throughout Vietnam. The sale of the handcrafted items provides some income to the handicapped youth, as well as helping to cover some of the operating expenses of the NNC itself.
Suffice it to say that without the support and continued faith of the People Committee of Binh Dinh Province, as well as the donations from charitable organizations and individuals around the world, the NNC would never have achieved the stability and growth it has had during the 14 years since its inception.
