Sailors from two Royal New Zealand Navy vessels visited Maison Chance, a charity organisation in HCM City and donated wheelchairs. - VNS Photo Việt Dũng

HCM CITY - The Royal New Zealand Navy donated nine wheelchairs for disadvantaged individuals at Maison Chance, a charity organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and disadvantaged children during their official visit to Việt Nam. 

On the afternoon of September 25, a group of sailors from Royal New Zealand Navy vessels HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa made a visit to Maison Chance in HCM City's Bình Tân District, as part of their five-day stay in Việt Nam.

HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa are on an official visit with the aim of fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy, as well as contributing to bilateral defence collaboration between Việt Nam and New Zealand.

At Maison Chance, the sailors engaged in sporting events and cultural performances alongside the residents, including disabled individuals and children.

Scott James, the Consul General of New Zealand in HCM City, also attended the visit.

On behalf of New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson, Consul General James and the sailors presented a donation of nine wheelchairs.

These wheelchairs had been generously contributed by benefactors from New Zealand through the New Zealand Embassy.

Consul General James emphasised the historic significance of the joint visit by the two New Zealand Royal Navy ships to Việt Nam, highlighting how it underscores the strategic partnership between New Zealand and Việt Nam.

He also commended the exceptional gesture of bringing nine wheelchairs from New Zealand to support Maison Chance.

The sailors play a game of wheelchair basketball with the residents in Maison Chance. - VNS Photo Việt Dũng

​"Seeing the smiles on the children's faces as they interacted with the sailors, it was really rewarding being able to be involved in the providing of the wheelchairs, and giving us sailors a chance to spend time with the children was really rewarding,” Lt Cdr Jonathan Rowe of the Royal New Zealand Navy said.

In addition to their visit to Maison Chance, the sailors also visited Mái Ấm Bà Chiểu, a charitable institution managed by the HCM City Women's Charity Association that assists disadvantaged girls in HCM City.

Established in 1993, Maison Chance provides housing, medical care, education, and vocational training to individuals with disabilities and underprivileged children in Việt Nam.

The organisation operates three facilities in HCM City and one in Đắk Nông Province. - VNS