This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/02/letter-from-vietnam-hanoi
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Letter from Vietnam: fever pitch | Letter from Vietnam: fever pitch |
| (6 days later) | |
| I asked, "Are there no girls in the orphanage?" | I asked, "Are there no girls in the orphanage?" |
| "Of course there are," came the reply. "Why?" | "Of course there are," came the reply. "Why?" |
| "Well, a new football pitch from the Australian police is a splendid gift, but what about the girls?" | "Well, a new football pitch from the Australian police is a splendid gift, but what about the girls?" |
| "Girls play football these days." | "Girls play football these days." |
| I'm at the opening ceremony of the football pitch in Birla Children's Village in Hanoi, where 78 boys and 62 girls live. Not all the children have lost both parents, but if one parent dies the other may be unable to afford to take care of the child. Some of the children have mental or physical disabilities too, which makes it difficult for parents to look after them. | I'm at the opening ceremony of the football pitch in Birla Children's Village in Hanoi, where 78 boys and 62 girls live. Not all the children have lost both parents, but if one parent dies the other may be unable to afford to take care of the child. Some of the children have mental or physical disabilities too, which makes it difficult for parents to look after them. |
| The village comprises four houses, each accommodating about 40 children, ranging in age from three to 18. | The village comprises four houses, each accommodating about 40 children, ranging in age from three to 18. |
| One of the senior girls, 18-year-old Dam Thi Ngoc, came back today for the inauguration of the football pitch. Her exciting news is that, having gone through primary and secondary school in Hanoi, she will enter college and commence her dream to be trained as a doctor. | One of the senior girls, 18-year-old Dam Thi Ngoc, came back today for the inauguration of the football pitch. Her exciting news is that, having gone through primary and secondary school in Hanoi, she will enter college and commence her dream to be trained as a doctor. |
| The Vietnamese government provides salaries of $120 per month for staff at the village and $40 for each child: $35 covers food, but that leaves just $5 for clothes, medical expenses and everything else. It certainly doesn't cover the pitch's artificial turf, as the police team from Victoria, Australia, found out when they visited recently. | The Vietnamese government provides salaries of $120 per month for staff at the village and $40 for each child: $35 covers food, but that leaves just $5 for clothes, medical expenses and everything else. It certainly doesn't cover the pitch's artificial turf, as the police team from Victoria, Australia, found out when they visited recently. |
| Excitement rises as we all walk towards the football pitch, where the Australian ambassador cuts one ribbon and the manager of the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, which has contributed much of the artificial turf, cuts another. | Excitement rises as we all walk towards the football pitch, where the Australian ambassador cuts one ribbon and the manager of the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel, which has contributed much of the artificial turf, cuts another. |
| It's true the girls do use (and love) the pitch, though not necessarily for football. As soon as the ribbons are cut, they run on to the field and give a spectacular display of dancing gymnastics, which some of us enjoyed even more than the football match. | It's true the girls do use (and love) the pitch, though not necessarily for football. As soon as the ribbons are cut, they run on to the field and give a spectacular display of dancing gymnastics, which some of us enjoyed even more than the football match. |
| Visiting Australian police teams passing through Hanoi have given much sporting equipment and clothes to the orphans. If you should be passing through Hanoi on holiday and have outgrown books and toys (not necessarily football-oriented) to give away, you could leave them at the Australian embassy, which has done all the co-ordination of the new football pitch and would be happy to pass on your gifts. | Visiting Australian police teams passing through Hanoi have given much sporting equipment and clothes to the orphans. If you should be passing through Hanoi on holiday and have outgrown books and toys (not necessarily football-oriented) to give away, you could leave them at the Australian embassy, which has done all the co-ordination of the new football pitch and would be happy to pass on your gifts. |
| Every week Guardian Weekly publishes a Letter from one of its readers from around the world. We welcome submissions – they should focus on giving a clear sense of a place and its people. Please send them to weekly.letter.from@guardian.co.uk | Every week Guardian Weekly publishes a Letter from one of its readers from around the world. We welcome submissions – they should focus on giving a clear sense of a place and its people. Please send them to weekly.letter.from@guardian.co.uk |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |