Vietnam

Vietnam is a lush and beautiful country located in Eastern Asia and has seen a number of improvements in its economy since the war with the United States. However, there are increasing gaps between the rich and poor and especially between the urban and rural areas.

The Problem
• The poverty rate in urban areas is about 18.3%, but the rate more than doubles in rural areas to 44.9%.

• Ethnic minorities have not been able to benefit from the last decade’s developments and lack information about social services available to them.

• Gender discrimination continues to hinder the well-being of women and children in many situations.

What Buckner is Doing
Buckner does not have an established NGO in Vietnam, but supports children and families through sending humanitarian aid and new shoes, and orphanage support. In the 1970s, Buckner accepted a group of Vietnamese orphans who fled from the country following the war and took them in to live at the Buckner Children’s Home in campus in Dallas, Texas.

Humanitarian Aid
Through humanitarian aid support and distribution of new shoes, Buckner is helping to prevent future disease and infection in children. Many diseases enter the body through the feet when a child walks through mud and filth without shoes. The gift of a new pair of shoes not only protects their feet, but keeps their entire body from being subjected to a number of diseases. Buckner has delivered 945 pairs of shoes to children in Vietnam to date, including the delivery of the 2 millionth pair of shoes donated to the program.

Orphanage Support
Through our affiliation with Dillon International, Buckner supports the Dillon Home for Street Children. This home cares for children who were once forced to live on the streets and dig through trash to find items to sell for food. Buckner also helps provide educational scholarships to cover school supplies, tuition and uniforms, and helps children with special medical needs stay with their families by providing medical support.

How You Can Help:
• Pray: Make a commitment to pray for the children and families of Vietnam.

• Give: Make a donation online to support any of the programs listed above or call 214-758-8050 to make a donation by phone.

• Be an Advocate: Share the needs of children in Vietnam with your church, community, family and friends.

• Collect Shoes: Host a shoe drive or give a pair of shoes to help orphans in Vietnam. Learn more at www.ShoesForOrphanSouls.org.