Following the Vietnam War, the extensive use of defoliants resulted in a high incidence of congenital defects and cancer among Vietnamese children, particularly in central Vietnam. In response, Zhi-Shan Foundation initiated the "Medical Treatment and Correction Program" in central Vietnam in 2000. The project provides free surgery for children under the age of eighteen who have physical or limb abnormalities due to congenital conditions or accidents. The stipulations are that they have not received other medical assistance, come from impoverished families, and can regain their function through surgery. To date, the project has helped over 3,000 children regain use of their limbs and lead normal lives.

However, some children residing in remote rural areas, even after undergoing surgery, face challenges in rehabilitation due to hospitals being inaccessible or a lack of rehabilitation facilities in their communities. Doctors also indicate that early intervention for some children could prevent the need for future surgical treatments. To address these issues, since 2021, Zhi-Shan Foundation has been establishing "Children's Rehabilitation and Development Toys Centers" in three provinces: Thua Thien Hue, Ha Tinh, and Nghe An. These centers target children under eighteen years of age from impoverished families in central Vietnam with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, mobility impairments, language disorders, and various other conditions. The aim is to achieve rehabilitation effects through toys and games, improving their physical functions. Each "Children's Rehabilitation and Development Toys Centers" is expected to benefit 100 children. This project contributes to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals "End Poverty," "Good Health and Well-being," and "Reduced Inequalities."

Community Voice

4-year-old Xiao Ming and his depressed mother depend on each other for survival. His mother makes a living by selling vegetables and fruits. The money she earns is not enough to pay for her depression medication, rent and food expenses, let alone enough money to send her child to kindergarten. Therefore, when his mother goes out to earn money every day, she locks Xiao Ming in the house. In this way, Xiao Ming, who was locked in the house, could not speak or understand until he was 4 years old, and he could not control his behavior. After being introduced by others, his mother went to the Children's Foundation of Nghe An Province for help. Currently, the child continues to receive treatment at the Toy Rehabilitation Center. The therapist gave Xiao Ming speech therapy, leading the child to conduct oral training and communication while playing, and used picture books or toys on themes such as animals, transportation tools, and family to guide the child's cognitive development. After two months of treatment, Xiao Ming is now obedient and no longer runs around in class. He can understand the teacher's simple requests, commands, and instructions, recognize his own name and the names of some acquaintances, and know the correct names of commonly used objects.