Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry ofLabour, Invalids, and Social Affairs launched a 12-year project on alternativecare for disadvantaged children on November 20.
Funded by the UK-based organisation Carefor Children (CFC), the project consists of four stages, with the pilot stagerunning in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen in the north for 2017 – 2020.
The organisation will collaborate withlocal agencies at different levels to provide personnel training for publicsocial protection centres to be in charge of alternative care, including theselection of suitable foster families and assessment of fostering process. Carefor Children will also design specific materials and training syllabuses forVietnam.
Robert Glover, chief executive of Care forChildren, said it aims to bring a better life for children.
He noted that childcare centres are oftencostly, while the cost of fostering children within the community might be highat first, but will gradually decrease.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids, andSocial Affairs Dao Hong Lan said the point is to replicate the modelnationwide.
The United Nations estimated thatapproximately 8 million children worldwide live in social centres. -VNA