At the reception for the President of the SOS Children’s Villages International, Helmut Kutin, in Hanoi on January 3, Ms Doan also thanked the organization for supporting Vietnam over the past 24 years.

To date, 14 provinces and cities in Vietnam have received nearly US$80 million in aid from the organization to build more villages for orphans, said Ms Doan.

The Vice President said that Vietnam has made significant progress in caring for children over the past years, and the country knows that children are its future masters.

She emphasized that the Government of Vietnam has always cooperated with international organizations, including the SOS Children’s Villages International, to improve the efficiency of charitable activities.

Ms Doan said that children have many more opportunities thanks to the ongoing development and integration, but they also have to face some challenges. Social workers need to be aware of the difficulties children may face and protect them from violence, disease, and poverty, while helping them seize the best opportunities.

Helmut Kutin said he was very glad to return to Vietnam, which he considers his second home.  He expressed delight at the effective cooperation between the SOS Children’s Villages International and the Vietnamese Government to help disadvantaged children throughout the country.

He affirmed that SOS Children’s Villages International will continue to cooperate with and support Vietnam in the future.

Helmut Kutin became President of SOS Children’s Villages International in 1985 and has been involved with many effective charity activities in Vietnam. He plans to retire in mid-2012.