Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – There is great need of social policies in Vietnam which render social workers capable of aiding the drug addicted, children forced to work, street children and prostitutes.  The government above all should provide legislation that concretely supports these activities, particularly those regarding the welfare of children of school going age.

These are just some of the conclusions which have emerged from the 12th Day for social work in Vietnam, celebrated on November 12th.  It gave 72 young volunteers and social workers, dedicated to the care of the poor and children in difficulty,  the opportunity to meet and share their experiences. It was a Day of mixed feelings for participants, because it gave great joy for the successes obtained but also provoked profound sadness for the many tragic cases still to be resolved, such as sexual abuse and family violence, but to mention a few.

Than, a voluntary social worker who helps young people addicted to drugs told AsiaNews that “there are many cases where after detoxifying and going back their families and communities, they have taken drug  again. Why so? Because they are still discriminated by neighbourhoods, community’s people and even their families’ members. They want to integrate into their families and communities, but they can not.”.

“I am working with  over 20 young girls  at the age of  15 or 16 years old,” social worker Han says. “They  are  working in miserable conditions and being treated badly in their families.  Many children are forced to drop out of school early to earn money  and  provide finance for the “drunk fathers”. So the children have to work 10 or 12 hours per day while their stomachs are empty. I counsel and take care of them, discussing measures with them to deal with the problems”.

Another speaks of his experience with 30 street children. “approaching immigrant children every night in District One  and Three  of Ho Chi Minh City, I realize that the children need someone to take an interest in them to be loved and taken care of by adults and their parents”.

In every case the social workers support serves to give back these children trust in life.   It is the opinion of all of the participants that social activities have greater success when there is belief in God and the wholehearted service of one’s brothers and sisters.