REBUILDING HOPE - The House of Affection in Vietnam
- Philippe Vergez
- Nov 2
- 3 min read
The story of The House of Affection began in 1999, when Jean and Thuy Garcia opened their home to children orphaned by the catastrophic floods that struck Hue, Vietnam in November of 99. From that act of compassion grew a lifelong mission to care for those who had no one left. Over time, their modest shelter became La Maison des Affections, where forty children now live, learn, and grow under their guardianship.
Jean and Thuy’s devotion goes far beyond providing food or a roof. They offer a family, education, and dignity, following every child until they graduate or find work, guiding them toward independence and purpose. Their kindness has rebuilt lives, one smile at a time, proving that love and courage can endure even the fiercest storms.
October 28th, 2025; The Storms That Changed Everything
A week ago, the River of Perfumes overflowed, flooding the orphanage and the central part of Vietnam. Homes, cuisines, structures and bedrooms are damaged filled with mud. Equipment and furniture lay ruined beneath the water. Yet amid the devastation, the children still smile, holding on to their courage and to the love that sustains them all together.
Rebuilding Hope - The House of Affection in Vietnam
A Legacy of Love and Humanity
Jean and Thuy have spentalmost 3 decades building not just an orphanage, but a true ecosystem of compassion. What began as a family home became The House of Affection / La Maison des Affections, officially registered as a non-profit organization in 2012.
Beyond their own children, they also lead reintegration and education programs for the Sampanier children, descendants of the lake tribes who once lived on boats. In partnership with the French association Les Sampaniers du Vietnam, they build 160 houses, two kindergartens, a primary school, and a college, offering thousands children over the years access to education and stability. Since 1999, Jean and Thuy have been direct gardians of 500 children under the roof of the House of Affection.
For seventeen years, they sustained all of this through their travel agency and the Tam Tinh Vien Homestay, which also provided work for local families. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, tourism stopped and with it, their main source of income disappeared. Yet they kept going, refusing to give up on their children. Government finally took over the schools managements lightening the charge on their shoulders. Slowly tourism picked up again and life tend to resume to a better pace.
Courage and Love Beyond the Floods Rebuilding Hope - The House of Affection in Vietnam
Today, The House of Affection faces one of its hardest moments.The floods have taken nearly everything but not their spirit. Jean, Thuy, and the children continue to clean, repair, and rebuild with what little they have. Their courage and the love that binds them remain unshaken.
If you ever travel to Vietnam, you can support them by staying at Tam Tinh Vien Homestay, a peaceful guesthouse within the orphanage, where every night spent helps finance the children’s future.
Because love, unlike walls, can never be washed away. ❤️
From a single act of kindness in 1999 grew a home, a community, and a legacy of hope. Now it’s our turn to give back to help rebuild what compassion created.
Every act of generosity counts. Every donation, every share, every kind thought helps The House of Affection rise again.
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