The programme with a total charity funding of VND700 million is being hosted by the Family & Children Magazine from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Thu Do Media Joint Stock Company and is expected to be held annually on the occasion of the Full Moon Festival.

A Radio Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter talked with Nguyen Van A, a general director about the programme’s purpose and activities.

VOV: With the name of “Fairy Moon”, does the programme show heartfelt sympathy from the community towards disadvantaged children?

Mr Nguyen Van A: This is a charity art performance to help disadvantaged children including AO/dioxin children victims and children with disabilities across the country.

VOV: How will the board mobilise the funding of VND700 million and how will the amount be used?

Mr Nguyen Van A: The programme aims to assist children living in difficulty circumstances with funding from philanthropists and donors have provided a total nearly VND700 million for the programme.

The biggest donor is the An Ninh Thu Do (Capital City Security) Newspaper with VND570 million followed by the Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company CIENCO 5 with VND50 million. Many other companies such as the Nguyen Hoang Export Service and Production Company, and the Thu Do Media Joint Stock Company have also supported the programme.

VND 700 million will be used to build 25 “compassionate” houses for disadvantaged children in six provinces, including Quang Nam, Da Nang, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Nghe An and Vinh Phuc. In addition, 100 scholarships worth VND500,000 each will be presented to poor children in 11 provinces and VND50 million worth of gifts, clothes and school aids will be distributed to children from the Friendship village, the Peace village and SOS villages throughout the country.

The organising board will try its best to transfer the money directly to needy children as soon as possible without going through any go-between steps.

VOV: What about the list of beneficiaries?

Nguyen Van A: The number of children who get scholarships and gifts was listed through many channels, such as the Vietnam Children’s Support Fund, the Comrade-in-arms Fund, the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and the Association for Support of Disabled People and Orphans. Unprivileged children from Hanoi and Bac Ninh will directly take part in the “Fairy Moon” programme and will send scholarships and gifts to children in other provinces which they will receive during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

VOV: Can you tell us about the items of the programme?

Nguyen Van A: The programme is focuses on children. It is arranged carefully with special items being performed by artist Hong Ky and other artists from the Youth Theatre. There will be 15 acts, including the lion dance, a lantern parade, little elephants, Picachu, Papai and balloons.

VOV: Will the organising board hold the programme annually?

Nguyen Van A: The programme will be held annually on the Full Moon Festival. In addition, we will also hold another programme on International Children’s Day (June 1). This is a charitable programme for unprivileged children and we hope that the programme will receive a warm response and support from the community.

VOV: Thank you very much.