Engaging with the community when we are there

Image above: The 2016 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize students with some students from the Song Cau Primary school.

Visiting orphanages in Vietnam in 2018

The Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize study tours to Vietnam in 2016 and 2017 have engaged with the Vietnamese community by visiting schools and orphanages. Students on these tours have raised considerable funds and provided these institutions with computers, data projectors, stationery and money. We hope we have been able to contribute to the health of these institutions and the quality of life and education for the young people involved. 

In 2018 we have planned to visit two orphanages near Vung Tau that we have not visited in the past.  They are: 

Hong Quang Orphan House was originally established by Venerable Thích Thiện Thông in order to support  orphans and poor children in the locality. Even though the centre has been managed by the government, private income is still needed for them to manage by themselves. The centre only receives support from the local community to cover the fees of education, food and personal living necessities. At the moment, the centre looks after around 70 orphans. The children under 5 years old will be at the centre when we visit but the older children (above 5 years old) will be at their school.

Tu An Pagoda is a poor temple which is currently run by Nun Thích nữ Minh Hải with donations from the Buddhist community to help the temple support the orphans (it does not belong to the government). It is home to more than 150 orphaned children, 13 elderly and disabled persons. At present, there are many children of school age and the cost for the children to go to school is difficult for the temple to pay for.

The Venerable Thích Thiện Thông and Nun Thích nữ Minh Hải are aware of our visits and both of them are very appreciative of the the 'kind hearts' of the group. They have said the donation does not have to be cash - the group can also donate the most needed items for daily life at the school, such as rice, milk, clothing, shoes, blankets, diapers, baby wipes, stationery, etc. We can buy those in Vietnam, so please do not pack such! 

Please take note that many children in the orphanage are of school age, so they need to go to school on weekdays. Only younger children are at home, so please do not be surprised if we cannot meet many children (unfortunately we visit on a Thursday and most of the children will be at school).

They are poor orphanages and any help we can give them would be greatly appreciated. I have checked out the orphanages and been assured by the tour group who have dealt with the orphanages in the past that any money/resources provided will go directly to help the orphans. Several of us are planning to do some fund raising in the office and around the place before we go – we would love the orphanages to be provided with some funds and/or items when we visit. Feel free to do something in your school or community groups if you want to help out with any fund raising before we depart. There is no pressure on you to be involved on a personal level but we thought it would be good to engage with the Vietnamese community and do something positive in the community when we are there.

We will collect and receipt all donations at Adelaide Airport before we leave on 30 September. Please give me a ring if you want to discuss this initiative for the tour.