visits

 

We visited a centre, which houses street people - men/women and unwanted kids/babies. Due to a law passed in Danang a few years ago, the city is cleaning the street of beggars and homeless people. They put these people into centres such as the one we visited. These people get a roof over their heads, three meals a day and nothing else. From what we can see, it is quite a meaningless for them to stay in the centre. The centre does not re-educated and re-integrate them back into the society. The centre is hoping that the people will get so bored of life there that they will go back home, usually in the countryside. If they return to the streets, they will be brought back to the centre and the cycle begins again...

We also visited a single mothers' home (Father's House). This place houses pregnant girls and single mothers, who are usually rejected by their families due to the girls getting pregnant before marriage. These girls are often abandoned by their so-called "boyfriends". The place provides a safe environment for the pregnant girls (around 18-20 years old), give them the right nutrition required during their pregnancy and also teaches them some parenting skills once the baby is born.

At Father's House, we met a lady who is 3 months pregnant and has just arrived at the house few days ago. She looked scared and empty. We found out that she has 2 previous abortions with 2 different guys and this is her 3rd pregnancy. She does not seems to be fully aware of why or what she is doing. The reason she gave for getting pregnant for the second and third time is to get back at her boyfriends. However, we also met a girl who has been there for 15 months. She has a beautiful 8 months old little girl. Father's House has helped her get on her feet and she is a keen leaner. She will be studying accounting for the next few years. We hope the new lady will find hope in life soon.