Tổ Ấm Huynh Đệ (House of Brotherhood and Sisterhood), Center for Children with Disabilities, provides care and education for 91 children with conditions such as Down syndrome, autism, developmental delays, language disorders, and behavioral disorders. Located in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, the center is one of several facilities for people with disabilities established by the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Nha Trang.
The facility originated in 1991 as a department of the Hừng Đông Disability Center for the Hearing Impaired in Hung Long Ward, Phan Thiet City. By the end of 2004, due to a growing number of students, it separated into an independent entity named “Tổ Ấm Huynh Đệ.” The center has since relocated to a new facility at 131 Tran Nguyen Han, Phu Tai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province.
Currently operated by Sister Maria Vũ Thi Kim, Tổ Ấm Huynh Đệ Center serves as a shared home for children with Down syndrome, autism, developmental delays, language disorders, behavioral disorders, and other conditions. The center currently cares for and educates 96 children aged 6 to 25, organized into six classes; each class follows a specific curriculum tailored to students’ needs.
In addition to instruction in cognitive and communication skills, dance, singing, and physical activities, the children practice reading and writing and develop the life skills necessary for self-care. The center employs specific training and educational methods tailored to each child’s condition. Here, life skills education serves as the foundation for children’s future, the most direct path and essential tool that enables them to integrate confidently into the community.
Recognizing that many families lack the means to provide a good life and a full education for their children, the center does not mandate a specific enrollment fee; contributions are based entirely on each family’s circumstances. Families with better financial standing may contribute 1 million VND per month ($38 USD), while others might contribute 500,000 VND ($19 USD) or as little as 100,000 VND ($3.8 USD); for those facing extreme hardship, the school waives tuition fees entirely. Nevertheless, the Sisters at the Tổ Ấm Huynh Đệ strive to ensure that adequate facilities, including specialized classrooms, dining areas, dormitories, and activity rooms, are available to alleviate the children’s hardships. Their goal is to bring brighter smiles to the children’s faces, help them feel loved, and instill the confidence needed to pursue their education and integrate into society.
Writer: Men Thanh Gia Nha Trang’s Charity