Our History

The Kianh Foundation was started in September 2001 by two friends – Jackie Wrafter and Jacci Garside. "Whilst on holiday in March 2001 we visited Hoi An Orphanage. We saw 17 disabled children, two or three on a wooden bed, locked up in darkened rooms. The children had little or no interaction with anyone, lay in the same position all day, and ate, slept and went to the toilet on the bed. There were fed small amounts of food. There were no toys, no books, no games and no music. They just existed. Here we met a young boy called Kianh with cerebral palsy. We were so struck by his innocence, resilience and hope that it inspired us to take action and name our organisation after him. Kianh continues to live at the Orphanage and has greatly benefited from the services we provided there".

We became a registered charity in the UK in December 2002, and officially registered as an International Non-Governmental Organisation in Vietnam in January 2006.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

Access to good education and health services for every disabled child in Central Vietnam.

Mission

To provide holistic and integrated multi-disciplinary services for disabled children, their families and the communities living in Central Vietnam.

Values

• The needs of the disabled children and young people are central to everything we do.

• Consult with the children, young people and their families in everything we do.

• Promote the social model of disability and break down the barriers that deny access to services and opportunity for disabled children.

• Work with all children and young people irrespective of ethnicity, religion, gender, language or any other diversity issue.

• Ensure sustainability of our services through local capacity building.

Regulation of our activities

The Kianh Foundation is registered in the UK and Vietnam. Our activities are regulated by the UK and Vietnamese Governments.

In Vietnam, the Foundation is regulated by the People's Aid Co-ordinating Committee (PACCOM) in Hanoi. Our PACCOM Registration No.: AU348/UB-HD

In the UK, activities are regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registration No: 1094902)