Blankets, clothing, books, and more! Choose exactly what your donation will provide by choosing from our current list of needs. Every cent of your donation goes to the families and children as we underwrite any money transfer fees.
Blankets
Family with no blanket
The homes of our families often have no glass or barriers in the windows. When it gets cold, it is a necessity to have warm blankets, which our kids often share with siblings or their parents. We are currenty buying inexpensive blankets for $10 each!
THIS NEED HAS BEEN MET! THANK YOU!
Clothing
An example of an FIV child needing shoes.
Many of our FIV children do not have adequate clothing as they are often multiple generation hand-me downs that are wrong sizes, have holes, rips, stains and tears, not warm enough and as such cause them to be taunted at school by other children, and/or sent home by school officials. Schools that require uniforms still have “free-days” where students can wear their street clothes to school. It is on these days that the income disparities between the different children become evident. Donations of any amount are welcome! If you currently sponsor a child, he or she will be the beneficiary of your donation.
An example of an FIV child needing new clothing and shoes.
FIV seeks the best markets to find the best clothing at reasonable prices and is able to provide a child with clothing for their entire school year for $150, including sturdy shoes and a winter jacket, as well as a few basic items that will likely be able to be worn a few more years until he or she outgrows them.
Below is a letter written by one of our sponsored FIV kids to his sponsor mentioning his lack of clothing: (Sponsoring a child covers their tuition, school uniforms, and school supplies – all as provided through the school.)
“Summer is here . . . I would like to send my regards to you and your family. Last semester was over and I would like to write a report about my academic achievement. My overall score for last semester is just above average because of the hardship of life. My daily life is struggling from making the living for myself and my younger sibling. My dad was passed away and my mom left us. I live with my grandmother. I need to go to school and work at the same time. I need to work hard to earn the living for myself, my younger sibling, and my grandmother. It is very difficult for me to study and work at the same time. I am lack of foods and dresses compare to my other classmates. I don’t know I should ask for help from whom. I only wish you can continually support me so that I can do my best to become the useful person in some fields. I will do my best in studying so you will not be disappointed.”
All About My Body Books for Teenagers:
Important information for teenage girls to make informed decisions.
Help teens in our program make good choices as they enter a very confusing world where tradition collides with modern sexual pressures! There is a book for girls and a book for boys. The books are written in Vietnamese and purchased in Vietnam. Our female Vietnamese staff member, Hoa, lets each girl know that any time she wants to discuss sexuality or needs assistance she can call Hoa. A $20 donation buys 4 books.
Scabies Treatment
A mother and baby in our FIV program with scabies. Thanks to your donations, they were able to receive treatment.
Children in Vietnam are often kicked out of school if they are found to have scabies. Christen Buchert traveled to Vietnam and treated several children in our programs for scabies. Read more about her journey here.
THIS NEED HAS BEEN MET! THANK YOU!
Scabies is a relatively contagious infection caused by a tiny 0.3 mm long mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. When a human comes in contact with the female mite, the mite burrows under the skin, laying eggs along the line of its burrow. When these eggs hatch, the hatchlings rise to the surface of the skin, mate, and repeat the cycle either within the skin of the original host, or within the skin of its next victim.
Sarcoptes scabei.
Close-up of scabies on FIV-sponsored baby's foot.
Scabies is most common among people who live in overcrowded conditions, and whose ability to practice good hygiene is limited. Scabies can be passed between people by close skin contact.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Scabies treatment involves eliminating the infestation with medications. Several creams and lotions are available. You usually apply the medication over all your body, from your neck down, and leave the medication on for at least eight hours. Because scabies spreads so easily, your doctor may recommend treatment for all family members and other close contacts, even if they show no signs of scabies infestation.”
