One Sunday per month volunteers from Rotary Saigon and three Rotaract Clubs (located in RMIT Vietnam, University of Economics and the Saigon Aviation Academy) fund, assemble and deliver 700 bowls of pho bo (the beef soup which is the national staple) into poor communities. It is one of the Club’s ‘direct service initiatives’ to engage members. Another direct service project involves assisting mobile blood banks collect blood.
Rhys Williams had the pleasure of joining the Rotary Saigon team last Sunday which provided the meals for a Local Government Ward Committee in a poor area in District 12 in the teeming north of Ho Chi Minh City. The meals were distributed to needy individuals and families at the Ward’s community centre and to two ‘Compassionate Schools’. These small boarding schools run by the Catholic diocese house children who have no or no suitable family environment for various reasons and support them into mainstream schools, vocational programs and work. The schools operate principally on a volunteer basis.
I write this article to highlight the success of ‘direct service’ to engage members which is what Central Melbourne is doing more of. Some of Rotary Saigon’s experience can be generalised.
Charter President Kieu Vuong Nguyen said: ‘It works for us. Our members have the opportunity to make a direct difference which they appreciate. It is a good Rotary way especially for younger Rotaractors. They also exposed to the organisation involved- partnering, funding, getting ingredients etc etc which is valuable for them.’ The Rotaractors who are all university students were unanimous that their reason for involvement was both for giving back and being part of something relevant.
Rotary Saigon is the local implementation partner for Vietnam Foundation’s Build a Future Scholarship Program which Central Melbourne has supported financially and with Club members volunteering on its online English practice and in-Vietnam summer camps.
The next idea is to work on a global grant to support a number of ‘Compassionate Schools’, especially through supoplying recycled digital devices, and Rotaractors leading a program of professional development for the volunteer teachers to enhance their skills and the diversity of the programs.
If you would like to make a donation to ‘Pho Bo with Love’- AU$20 will fund about 35 meals- let Rhys Williams know and he’ll get it to Rotary Saigon! Let me know if you’d like to become involved.