Associate Minister of Trade and Export Growth, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Rural Communities of New Zealand, Damien O’Connor on August 27 visited Ba Chieu House (a center taking care of disadvantaged girls) in Ho Chi Minh City.

Minister O'Connor and children at Ba Chieu House. (source: New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam)

The visit is part of his ongoing official visit to Vietnam from August 27 to 29.

At the visit, the Minister announced that the New Zealand Head of Mission Fund worth NZD$25,000 (US$20,000) would be presented to the house to maintain its operation and development.

He also told the girls living in the shelter that they were welcome to study in New Zealand.

Established in 1996, Bà Chieu House has been home of more than 200 disadvantaged girls. The House provides safe shelter and education for them.

At the moment, the shelter is taking care of 22 school-age girls.

Ba Chieu House is one of 2 charity houses managed by the Associaty of Women for Charity in HCM City. The House has received support from New Zealand from 1996./.

( Translated by Phi Yen )