Orphan Assist
Orphan Assist is a program designed to help orphans and improve orphanage facilities. In most cases these children are orphaned after their parents have died from treatable diseases. Poverty does not enable many families to access life-saving medicine or treatment.
Conditions at the orphanages are extremely spartan, children usually sleeping eight to ten per room. Wooden bunk-beds without a mattress is normal, comforts that we take for granted in Australia do not exist.
In 2003 Karen met a 13 year old orphan named Phi, he had been in the orphanage for eight years. Phi and Karen talked for a long time. Karen listened to the heart-breaking story of his short life and at the end of their conversation Karen asked Phi what his dream was. Phi's reply was "I dare not have a dream". Karen hopes through Lifestart Foundations program Orphan Assist, children like Phi can not only dare to have a dream but more importantly, realize their dreams.
Where we are at
Lifestart is currently working with children at non-government orphanages in Vietnam, supporting them with needs such as school uniforms, books, and clothing, to improve their lives and their futures.