Language Link and The Friendship Home

Viet Anh and Tuan Anh are two boys who are living at the Friendship Home III in Hanoi. The Friendship Home is a foster home for children who come from families facing many difficulties. These difficulties may include the loss of one or both parents, parents with mental or physical handicaps, or extreme poverty. More than 90% of the children come from homes that have been affected by a parents drug use. Many of these children have been living in the Friendship Home for over half of their lives. Some of the children are able to visit their families from time to time.

The Friendship Home is a government sponsored center, but the funding received is only enough to cover the basic necessities. HSCV has been working with and making in-kind donations to the Friendship Home since 2003. Our donations have included; bicycles for the children to travel to school, helmets for the children and staff, fans, refrigerator, blankets, kitchen cabinets and sink, new shoes and clothing.

For the past year HSCV volunteers have been donating their time to teach the children English once a week. The classes are voluntary for the children to attend. Most of the children have enjoyed working with the teachers and learning English. It has also provided a great opportunity for the children to bond with their caring teachers.

Language Link is a professional Language Education Center located here in Hanoi. This year Language Link donated 3 scholarships to HSCV. These scholarships will give 3 children the opportunity to advance their interest in learning English. Here is what HSCV volunteer and teacher at Language Link said in an email about the boys first day of class:

"Viet Anh and Tuan Anh did very well at Language Link yesterday. They were scared at first but I separated them, and they quickly made new friends with some nice kids during a grammar competition. They were both able to help their teams and left quite happy. It was nice to see them in a real learning environment. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads when they saw the school's computerlab."

We are so pleased with Viet Anh and Tuan Anh's eagerness to join the children at Language Link. This is the frist time they seen class rooms with adequate supplies and computers. We are hopeful they will see this course as a great opportunity and use it to create future opportunities for themselves.

HSCV owes thanks to Jim for approaching Language Link about sponsorship and to Language Link's willingness to give back to the community.
We are hopeful this is the beginning of a long friendship.
~ Annetta