Special Guest Speakers

Director Hoa Van Nguyen was invited to address our meeting.

After thanking us all for the opportunity to speak, Hoa explained how the VietNam Foundation began 28 years ago with only three scholars, with the intention of helping the poor. This expanded and gathered pace, achieving tax deductability with the government in 2018 and in 2022 the 'Build a Future' program emerged.

The three main aims were:

• Build or refurb buildings as schools of education

• Recycle bicycles for school children

• Provide clean water

Dr Khoa (Ken) Ho Le continued by explaining how $300 scholarships were awarded direct to the students to facilitate their attendance in the instruction in the basics of education. This program was endorsed and heavily supported by the Government of Vietnam. This program focused on the bright but poor students who were then encouraged to help others to study and advance their education. Our own member Rhys Williams was heavily involved in the project.

Students coped well with reading and writing but required more intensive tuition in the art of speaking. Summer camps were arranged to assist with the help of volunteers. Learning by collaboration developed into the Navitas Foundation, which promoted development for employment as learning was the opportunity to change.

Charter President of the Rotary Club of Saigon, Kieu Vuong Nguyen followed and assured us the oversight of necessary compliance was upheld by their Club, which assists with visas and work permits for all volunteers in Vietnam.

The addresses were followed by a five-minute video showing the need and value of bridges in Vietnam, building new bridges in locations that support larger communities with needs to access schools and industries that may better the general community and the replacement of old, rickety monkey bridges with new concrete bridges.

Many questions followed and the presenters were thanked with a round of applause.
 

Special event speaker - Steven Wells PHF