Our special education programme began at Hoi An Orphanage in 2003 when we opened and equipped our first classroom. Prior to this, no disability services were available to the children. This room was established to cater for the less-severely disabled children who showed the greatest potential to benefit from the classes. In 2005 we opened a second classroom to cater for the more-severely disabled children who needed more focused teaching.

Special Education has only recently been taught in Vietnamese universities and the first students graduated in 2008. Our teachers began their careers as primary school teachers or were existing Orphanage care staff. They were selected on their aptitude and ability to understand the more creative approach needed to bring out the best in children with disabilities.

All teacher-training has been carried out Mrs Roe Schroeder, an experienced special education teacher from Sydney, Australia. Her training has been supplemented by a range of professional volunteers who spend time at the Orphanage every year, working with the staff and children.

We are proud of our programme at Hoi An Orphanage, but as it is a government-run centre, there is a limit to how much we are able to do there. We are very much looking forward to opening our own Kianh Foundation Day Centre in Dien Ban district, where we will have more freedom and scope to put a range of educational policies into action.