Vietnam Project 2007

The project was an initiative of Reledev Australia Limited in conjunction with Warrane College UNSW and Vinh Phuc Co., a manufacturing company based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The project was held from 2-20 July.

A group of volunteers from Australia and New Zealand participated. They represented disciplines of Architecture, Economics, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Town Planning.

The activities of the project included:

Fact Finding Mission

Five villages were visited in the Me Kong Delta region. These were identified by Vinh Phu Co as villages experiencing acute poverty. In each village the following activities were carried out:

1. Consulting community leaders to identify possible development projects for the future

2. Verifying the level of acute poverty experienced by families in the communities.

In the village of Thanh Long, volunteers studied the feasibility of building a well for clean potable water. An example of the scale of the well was inspected in a neighbouring village. A team of participants met with community leaders to conduct a preliminary review of the project. The timing of the project is contingent on geological testing of the site and local government approval.

After visiting a rice factory in the village of An Thai Trung, project participants met with community leaders in neighbouring Bang Lang. A factory in this site would provide employment for at least 12 women in the village and add value to local rice industries. The prospect of this project is dependent on local government approval.

In Ho Chi Minh city, volunteers visited Phu My orphanage that accommodates 400 residents and 200 daily disabled persons for respite care.

Project participants identified this centre as a site for future development work. Centre staff requested assistance in training staff in English, identified the scope of an infrastructure improvements that could assist in educational programs carried out at the site.

In the city of My Tho, volunteers demolished a large storage shed and laid foundations for a replacement structure. The shed, that stores equipment and food for a child care centre, had been damaged in a recent storm.

Train the Trainer English

Volunteers held a four day train the trainer English course at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre of Ho Chi Minh city, an educational centre in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. About 20 Vietnamese university students and 2 local instructors participated in the program.

The program focused on teaching methods, English language content and curriculum development. Techniques included: group work, presentations, role playing and one-to-one language coaching.

Relief Work

In Phu My volunteers were briefed by staff on the condition and care of the clients, met many residents, and assisted in a meal service and participated in recreational activities with the disabled and orphans.

In Cu Chi, volunteers visited an AIDS Centre that provides palliative care to 25 adults and children.

Our thanks to all volunteers, donors, supporters, Warrane College UNSW, and Vinh Phuc Co.