Morning Star Center (Childcare)

The Morning Star Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in December 1995 for the early detection and care of intellectual disabled children. Chaired by Professor Nguyen Tai Thu, it is a subsidiary of the Vietnam Relief Association for Children with Disabilities and has nearly 70 staff members caring for approximately 200 children ranging in age from 2 to 18.

The Center is located in Thanh Xuan district in South West Hanoi. Apart from the staff there are teachers, psychologists, nurses, doctors and physiotherapists whose mission is to promote charitable activities that help to provide opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities to receive an education, and to feel included with their local community. In particular, the center strives to provide assistance for those children suffering from developmental disabilities including Down's Syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

In addition, the center also offers some vocational and pre-vocational training for teenagers before sending them to outside vocational schools. The courses help increase the children's independence and confidence, and their abilities to get enrolled in professional training centers outside. Having a coffee shop set up at the entrance of the center, the center provides opportunities for some of the children help out and in the process receive valuable experience in working and interacting with the public.