In the early days of 2026, Vietnam Catholic Tours had the opportunity to make a meaningful visit to Nuoc Ngot Social Protection Center, a place quietly nurturing hope for children with special circumstances. The center is located in An Bang, Loc Thuy Commune, Phu Loc District, Hue.

As soon as we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the Sisters who are serving at the center. After the first greetings, we had the chance to sit down with them and listen to their stories about the children’s lives and the Sisters’ mission of caring for them.

The center has been managed by the Sisters for nearly 20 years. In total, the center cares for 75 children and young people from difficult backgrounds. Among them, 52 are children living at the center, most of whom have disabilities or autism, including some affected by Agent Orange. The Sisters have taken in these children from nearby communities regardless of religion, while 23 others belong to the Van Kieu ethnic minority from Khe Sanh, Quang Tri.

Despite the many challenges they face in life, the children grow up surrounded by patience, care, and love every day from the Sisters.

The Sisters play a vital role not only in caring for the children but also in teaching them essential life skills, as many of them cannot attend regular school due to disabilities and difficult family circumstances. Through patience and compassion, the Sisters have created a safe and supportive environment where the children can grow and develop despite their limitations.

Challenges at Nuoc Ngot Social Protection Center

Among the 67 children currently living at the center, more than 30 have been diagnosed with autism, which creates particular challenges for the Sisters as they try to apply new teaching and care methods.

Although the center has relatively adequate facilities, it still faces a significant shortage of specialized staff. Special education and rehabilitation require highly trained professionals, yet the center lacks the financial resources needed to attract or retain qualified personnel, especially in the fields of rehabilitation and therapy.

Livelihood Development for the Future

Facing challenges in staffing and financial resources, the Sisters at Nuoc Ngot Social Protection Center are gradually exploring sustainable livelihood models that can help support part of the center’s operating costs.

They have built a greenhouse and a small garden where they cultivate oyster mushrooms, grow fresh vegetables, and plant cajeput trees. These products are supplied to partners such as Laguna Lang Co Resort and are also sold at local markets for the community.

From the cajeput trees, the Sisters produce cajeput oil – a traditional product of Central Vietnam – which is sold to help fund the center’s activities.

However, developing these livelihood projects still faces many difficulties. Expanding production remains limited due to restricted investment resources, unstable market outlets, and a shortage of people to take care of the garden and greenhouse. At present, most of the work is still done by the Sisters themselves, which means the quantity and quality of products are not always consistent.

In the future, the Sisters hope to have more opportunities and resources to expand the garden and greenhouse, allowing production to grow more sustainably. These initiatives would not only help provide additional income for the center but could also create job opportunities for local people with agricultural skills, contributing to a more sustainable development path for the surrounding community.

Oyster mushroom garden cultivated and cared for by the Sisters

Cajeput trees grown by the Sisters to produce cajeput essential oil

The vegetable garden and greenhouse cared for daily by the Sisters.

A Meaningful Visit to Nuoc Ngot Center

During this visit, we also brought some small gifts for the children. However, the visit was not simply about delivering gifts.

It was an opportunity for us to sit down with the Sisters and truly listen to the real challenges they face in managing and sustaining the center. This deeper understanding encourages us to think about long-term solutions – not only financial support but also cooperation and assistance in improving educational and rehabilitation programs for the children.

Although the gifts were simple, they carried our sincere care and compassion for the children. Their innocent smiles and the lovely moments of their daily lives made this visit truly meaningful and unforgettable.

With compassion and a spirit of sharing, we believe that every contribution, no matter how small, can help the center grow and bring more hope to children with special needs.

Visits like this also remind us that Vietnam Catholic Tours is not only about connecting people with pilgrimage destinations, but also about bringing together compassionate individuals who wish to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Joining Hands to Share and Support

We hope that with continued support from generous individuals and organizations, Nuoc Ngot Social Protection Center will continue to grow and help build a brighter future for the children it serves.

We believe every journey is not just a trip, but also an opportunity to share kindness and spread love.

Vietnam Catholic Tours is committed to maintaining this connection — nurturing compassion and bringing hope to children who need care, understanding, and encouragement to build their dreams.

If one day you have the opportunity to visit Hue, we warmly invite you to come with Vietnam Catholic Tours and visit this special place. Sometimes, a simple presence, a kind greeting, or a small gift can bring great joy and hope to these children.

“Vietnam Catholic Tours – CONNECT & SHARE – Travel with us and help the children.

Your journey helps us bring more love and support to the children at Nuoc Ngot Orphanage, where the Sisters of FMI care for over 60 disabled children each day with faith and devotion. And from our tours, we will donate more for the poor, the children and the Catholic community.”

Vietnam Catholic Tours