Kim Phuc Phan Thi is known around the world as “The Girl in the Picture” and the “Napalm Girl” In 1972, at age 9, she was immortalized in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph that shows her screaming and running naked down a road in Trang Bang, Vietnam, after having her clothes burned off by napalm. A living symbol of the atrocities of war, she is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and the founder of The KIM Foundation International (KFI), a nonproft dedicated to providing funds to support the work of international organizations that provide free medical assistance to child-victims of war, violence, and deprivation.
The KFI has a rich history of supporting children in India, Tajikistan, East Timor, Romania, Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda. Most recently the KFI is proud to add Vietnam to this list of nations as they partner financially with Children’s Library International (https://childrenslibraryinternational.org/) to construct a library for children in Binh Dinh, a south central province of Vietnam. Kim is so pleased to see her dream of a learning centre for children in Vietnam finally becoming a reality.
Emmanuel Orphanage cares for approximately 160 children in Kerala, India; helping to meet financial needs as they arise, the KFI has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to meet the children’s living, health-care, and educational needs, as well as to provide money for a vehicle and to assist with the cost of building a new boys home. In 2018 Kim visited the orphanage to meet the children and was embraced by a very warm welcome.
The conflict in Ukraine has displaced millions. On July 4th Kim accompanied 236 Ukrainian refugees on a flight from Poland to their new home in Canada. Kim knows what it means to have to flee one’s homeland and was deeply moved by spending time with these dear souls. The flight was piloted by Enrique Pifteyro for his NGO Solidaire. Solidaire has partnered with Open Arms, founded by Oscar Camps, to rescue refugees from harms way. Kim joined Solidaire on a second trip in August and anticipates more trips as opportunities arise.
Through its history of more than two decades, the KFI has helped fund the construction, supply, and operation of hospitals, schools, orphanages, and libraries, and is proud to have played a key financial role in supporting many noble projects to help children in need. Visit www.kimfoundation.com to learn more about current and past projects.
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