The Forgotten Orphans of Mui Ne
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Orphans at the Phu Hai orphanage near Phan Thiet receive Christmas presents. |
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Orphanages in Saigon, Phnom Penh and other large cities have long been a draw for backpackers visiting the region, who wish to spend an afternoon with the children and drop off donations. Angelina Jolie’s recent adoption in Vietnam also lent much-needed publicity to the needs of Vietnamese orphans. However, few realize that many smaller towns along the tourist circuits also have orphanages which are rarely, if ever visited for foreigners. These facilities are located in poorer communities and may be grossly under funded, housing special-needs children with little hope of ever leaving the orphanage.
The Department of Labor, Invalid and Social Affairs (DOLISA) in Phan Thiet oversees orphanages in Phu Hai (between Mui Ne and Phan Thiet) as well as Ham Tan (SouthWest of Phan Thiet).
The Phu Hai orphanage has approximately 30-35 children in the moment (numbers fluctuate), most of whom are under 6 years of age. There are also 2-3 teenagers living there. Their circumstances vary, but most were left at the Phan Thiet hospital as newborns by single mothers, prostitutes, or impoverished families who already have too many children to care for.
Although the orphanage is in close proximity to Mui Ne (the tourism center of Binh Thuan province), it is virtually unknown to the local resort community. We highly encourage anyone connected to the tourism industry to consider sponsoring this orphanage. We challenge the local resorts to keep the enrollment of children at these orphanages as low as possible by promoting it to their guests.
To visit this orphanage, travel West from Mui Ne, heading towards Phan Thiet. After you pass the toll at the bottom of the hill below the Cham towers, take an immediate right. You will pass a school on your right, and then a large new pagoda (temple). The river will be on your left all the while. The very next building on your right will be the orphanage. It is gated and sits inconspicuously on the hill next to the pagoda. Visitors will need to bring an interpreter as no one on site speaks English. The staff is kind and friendly and welcomes visitors. You may reach them at 062811788 (calling within Vietnam).
The orphanage is clean and well-staffed with caring individuals, but there are a lot of children for the small size of the facilities. It can always use donations, and visits are enjoyed by both the children and staff. If you wish to bring gifts or supplies to the orphanage at Phu Hai, the following can always be used: milk, fruit, cakes and candies; cloths and toys for toddlers and infants; school supplies for children in their first years of school; appropriate gifts on birthdays, Christmas, Tet (toys, candy, and money in small, red envelopes) and other holidays. Please also consider supporting the staff with gifts as well. They have made strong commitment and sacrifice to care for these children, with very meager salaries.
If you do have a chance to visit, please be sure to tell others about your experience and especially share your photos. Simple word-of-mouth testimonies make an incredible difference by encouraging others traveling in the area to make a visit to these orphanages. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact hwww.muinebeach.net. We are not affiliated with the orphanage but we will do our best to answer your questions.
Story originally published on MuiNeBeach.net.
Published on 7/17/07
