The K.I.D.S. Foundation (Kids in Distress) aims to provide shelter, care, and education for street children in Vietnam. We achieve this by establishing shelters for street children. Through these efforts, K.I.D.S. ensures a dignified life, education, and a happy childhood for more than 80 children from the slums of Ho Chi Minh City.
The idea is very simple, and that’s exactly how we like it. K.I.D.S. raises and manages the funds needed for the (medical) care, education, and housing of street children. In Ho Chi Minh City, K.I.D.S. collaborates with WOCA, a local charity organization that oversees the operation of the shelters and ensures that the funds are spent appropriately..
100 % of the money that K.I.D.S. collects is spent on the children. There is no rake-off. The members of the board of K.I.D.S. and all other volunteers do their work completely selflessly and free of charge. Travel and accommodation fees made by the board are paid completely out of their own pocket. The costs in The Netherlands are limited to the strictly necessary bank and web hosting costs.
80 children between the ages of 4 and 18 live safely, are cared for, and receive an education—something that might seem completely normal.
However, life looks very different for the street children in Ho Chi Minh City. Many of the children in the shelters come from broken families. Their parents are simply unable to provide for their upbringing and care. Poverty, severe illnesses, addiction, crime, and imprisonment are often the root causes of these problems. The children suffer the consequences and end up on the streets.
It goes without saying that these children do not always behave appropriately—on the streets, only the strongest survive. As a result, they often come into contact with the police at a young age. The police have shelters, and from there, through W.O.C.A., the children may be placed in one of our homes—if there is space…
The policy of K.I.D.S. is that a child grows up best in a family-like environment, preferably with their own family. K.I.D.S. therefore does everything possible to place children with their family after a transitional period. This approach also frees up space in the shelters for new children.
However, it is not always possible to place children with their families. In such cases, a child remains in a shelter for a longer period. On average, about half of the children stay in a shelter for an extended time, while the other half have more temporary placements.
The first K.I.D.S. house was built in 1999 and was provided with new floors and paint in 2011. 26 girls between the ages of 5 and 17 find a safe home here. In the heart of district 6, 20 minutes by taxi to and from the centre, 5 minutes from the schools ànd the municipal swimming pool!
Once it used to be Julius Jaspers’ prime example house, and after the death of co-founder Jean Houleiman in 2008 it became part of K.I.D.S.. Lemon Grass House is situated in the Red Cross district 3, which is 10 minutes from the centre and at present it houses 26 boys.
Since January 2012 this house has been managed by K.I.D.S. The house can accommodate 20 boys and is situated in district 2, which is 20 minutes-drive to and from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. In November 2012 the house was re-painted by volunteers from the Netherlands. We are very proud of the result, the house looks beautiful again.
In Vietnam, the day begins early—the alarm rings at 6 AM. The sun is up, and the temperature rises quickly. The cook has already been to the market, and after washing up and getting dressed, the children enjoy a typical Vietnamese breakfast. Then it’s time to brush their teeth and head to school!
Half of the children attend school in the morning, while the other half go in the afternoon. This is simply because there aren’t enough schools to accommodate all children at the same time. Those who stay at the shelter in the morning receive lessons there.
Lunch is eaten at home, and between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, there’s a constant stream of bicycles and cyclos (bicycle taxis for the younger children) coming and going. After lunch, the house quiets down as the other half heads off to school. During this time, the children at the shelter take in-house English and computer lessons.
Once everyone is back home, it’s time for homework, sports, games, and relaxation. Vietnam has a six-day school week, so Sundays are reserved for rest, sports, and cultural activities.
A birthday, an anniversary, or a business milestone? Donors and sponsors of K.I.D.S. support our cause for many different reasons. However, many also give without a specific occasion—simply out of compassion for street children.
For just €1.50 per day, you can provide a Vietnamese boy or girl with a dignified life and a brighter future. Donate today and make a real difference in the life of a street child in Vietnam.
The Stichting K.I.D.S. has the PBI status which means that K.I.D.S. is considered by the Belastingdienst [Tax Office] as being a Public Benefit Institution. Therefore your gifts can be deducted from the taxable income. For more information visit the website of the belastingdienst.
Do you wish to make a single financial donation? Have you e.g. organised a sponsor activity in aid of the Stichting K.I.D.S.? Or has your child collected money by doing odd jobs? All donations, small and large, are very welcome.
The Lemongrass House has 30 beds. For each bed the Stichting K.I.D.S. needs a sponsor. We prefer to talk about beds rather than about children. Children come and go, because we always try to let them stay with family. But the beds remain there and are slept in by the new residents. Generally the beds are adopted for a period of 5 years. The yearly amount is 600 Euros.
A sponsor is a person or company connected to one or more shelters for a longer period of time. A sponsor’s contribution can be financial, by means of gifts with which the exploitation of the shelter is covered wholly or partly. A company can also contribute by supplying products or services. In The Netherlands (e.g. for the purpose of a K.I.D.S. charity event) or in Vietnam itself. The sponsors will be mentioned on the sponsor page if they so wish.
