As Children's Day was being celebrated around the country on June 1, many less fortunate and poverty-stricken children continue to live and can be easily overlooked.

Children's day at Thuy An Charity Centre for Disabled Children and The Elderly (Ba Vi, Son Tay, Hanoi) is just another day. Most disabled kids here were abandoned by their own parents and admitted to the centre when they were just a few days old. Their everyday life depends considerably on the help of sympathetic caretakers at the centre. Children here lack everything, from basic necessities like blankets and clothing to simple psychological needs of love and affection.

Rather than giving fancy toys and gifts, it would be a lot more meaningful to send them useful things that could help make their daily life better and by that make their everyday a Children's Day. Even if it's just diapers, soap or an old sleeping mat that we never use, every little bit helps.

June 1 is not a day to remind us about children who are suffering but a day to make us realise how fortunate those of us are who have kids who can sulk and smile at us. Hopefully such simple bliss encourages the public to share that fortune with those who don't have it.

This child came to the centre when she was just 2 days old and suffers from an innate Brittle Bone Disease.

Mentally disabled children in a classroom.

Different from normal classrooms, at the centre they are arranged according to the children's level of disability.

Chairs, designed specifically to stop the children from sliding out when they're seated.

This boy has to be fed lying down. If he is fed sitting up, he will keep the spoon in his mouth and not let it go.

Care takers here are truly amazing for their patience and sacrifice.

Disabled children on a specially-designed bed.