LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In the midst of the South Wing at the Kentucky State Fair you’ll find Cindy Brewer doing what she does best — advocating for children who need it most.
“They are children who have families but because of their direct circumstances of being impoverished or having special needs and illnesses and their parents not working, they need a lot of help,” Cindy Brewer, co-director of Orphan Voice, said.
That’s why Brewer and her family moved to Vietnam 15 years ago, where they opened an orphanage and founded Orphan Voice.
Orphan Voice was founded in 2006 by husband and wife duo Tony and Cindy Brewer. The nonprofit organization provides orphan care, school for the deaf, cleft lip and palate repair, therapy centers and anti-trafficking seminars to children and families in Vietnam.
“We were always aware that for every child who will be adopted, there are perhaps hundreds more who are not available for adoption for many different reasons but their need is just as great so we wanted to help those children who would never come to a forever home,” Brewer said.
This week, Kentuckians had the chance to be their hero. Orphan Voice has items available to the public that were created by the children from the school for the deaf in Vietnam.
“So we decided to try and develop those skills and talents, something that focuses on their abilities rather than their disabilities,” Brewer said. “They are used to the world looking at them for what they can’t do, how they can’t participate.”
Original artwork displayed on cards and t-shirts as well as leather bracelets and wallets, where the income will go right back to the students involved in the vocational program.
For Brewer, the generosity of Kentuckians helping one another has been humbling.
“Everybody wants to do something of significance. It may be small but everyone can do something,” Brewer said. “We like to say we can’t do everything for everyone, so we’ll do for just one what we want to do for everyone.”
They hope their work continues to help children across the world.
The nonprofit organization, Orphan Voice, also provides anti-trafficking efforts, including their “More Precious Than Gold” seminars in middle and high schools.