Vietnamese students in Russia donate music playground to children with disabilities in Son La
WVR - This meaningful gift was made possible thanks to contributions from the overseas Vietnamese community and philanthropists, especially from Vietnamese students in Russia through a fundraising program launched by the volunteer club Vong Tay Viet Nga (Vietnam-Russia circle of friendship).
Latest
On August 19, at the Son La Center for Inclusive Education Development, the Vong Tay Viet Nga volunteer club under the Vietnamese Students’ Association in Russia and the Fund for Vietnamese Children with Disabilities (VTEKTVN) held the inauguration and handover ceremony of a musical playground for children with autism spectrum disorder in the province.
 |
| Ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the Music Playground with the participation of delegates. (Source: Organizers) |
The event took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere with the presence of Mr. Pham Quang Huy, Director of the Center, along with 25 staff members; Ms. Tran Thi Kim Dung – Chief of Office of VTEKTVN; Mr. Tran Van Kien – Head of the Club; as well as parents and 25 children with disabilities currently studying at the Centre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pham Quang Huy expressed his delight at receiving the musical playground project for children with disabilities, initiated and funded by the Vong Tay Viet Nga club.
He emphasized that this is a humanitarian gift that helps children develop comprehensively both physically and mentally, and the Centre is committed to making effective use of this space.
 |
| Mr. Pham Quang Huy, Director of the Son La Center for Inclusive Education Development, speaking at the handover ceremony. (Source: Organizers) |
At the same time, Mr. Pham Quang Huy also highlighted the many challenges in the process of rehabilitation, intervention, and development support for children with special needs, and called for continued assistance from both local and broader communities to build a more inclusive educational environment for children with disabilities.
Representing the Vietnamese students in Russia, Mr. Tran Van Kien, Head of the delegation and Head of the Vong Tay Viet Nga club, shared: “The Hope Sunshine project was launched in April this year. Through five fundraising activities until July, we were able to cover the construction costs.
 |
| Mr. Tran Van Kien, Head of the Vong Tay Viet Nga club, representing the donors in handing over the Music Playground to the Centre. (Source: Organizers) |
After working with VTEKTVN and the Center’s Board of Directors, we agreed to start construction of the Music Playground, including a music garden with seven instruments (drums and lithophones) and a play area covering nearly 55 square meters. The total value of the project amounts to nearly 90 million VND.”
At the ceremony, Ms. Tran Thi Kim Dung, Chief of Office of VTEKTVN, also emphasized: “We are honored to accompany this special program. On this occasion, the Fund would also like to share a message: Volunteering does not need to be about grand gestures, but about hearts that listen, the courage to act, and the strong belief that every young person can build a stronger community from the simplest of things”.
 |
| Ms. Tran Thi Kim Dung, Chief of Office of VTEKTVN, speaking at the ceremony. (Source: Organizers) |
With nearly eight years of operation since its establishment in 2017, the Vong Tay Viet Nga volunteer club is honored to be the sponsor of the Hope Sunshine project that built the musical playground at the Center.
The club unites and connects dynamic and enthusiastic Vietnamese students to participate in volunteer and charity activities across Russia, thereby strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Russia and promoting the image of the Vietnamese people’s spirit of solidarity and compassion to international friends.
Currently, Vong Tay Viet Nga has become the largest student charity organization in Russia, with nearly 10 major activities each year, attracting around 10,000 volunteer contributions and raising a total of nearly 300 million VND for charity projects in both Russia and Vietnam.
 |
| Students eagerly try out the new activity in the music garden. |
| Located in To Hieu ward, Son La province, the Son La Center for Inclusive Education Development is currently supporting and educating nearly 60 children who show signs of disability or developmental and cognitive impairments across a wide range of ages. Established under Decision No. 1850/QD-UBND dated September 20, 2023, by the Son La People’s Committee, the Center has undergone facility renovations and is now fully operational, fulfilling its core tasks. However, its supporting facilities remain quite limited. The addition of a dedicated music therapy space is expected to create a more friendly and inclusive environment, where children can both learn and practice social skills through play activities. |
