VNF has recently funded a new project in collaboration with our Vietnam in-country partner Trần Quyết Thắng of R4K to recycle 200 old bikes destined for land fill, by repairing and refitting with new or recycled parts. These fully refurbished and newly painted bicycles will be distributed amongst school children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in rural and remote areas. Nghệ An, Thanh Hóa and Thái Bình were initially selected as target provinces. Due to a greater than expected demand, the target provinces have been extended to include Hà Giang and Quảng Trị . It is expected that the entire 200 bikes will be completed and delivered to the children by February 2021. The first 20 bikes were delivered to students of Khâu Vai Junior High School in Mèo Vạc (Hà Giang) in December 2020, to be followed by another 20 bikes to primary school students in Đa Krông (Quảng Trị). Here are some photos of the recycled bikes, and new or recycled bike parts ready for assembly.
Here are more photos including about 30 recycled bicycles that have been completed by our Vietnam in-country partner Trần Quyết Thắng. These were delivered in late December 2020 to students at a school in Mèo Vạc district, Hà Giang province. Mèo Vạc is located within the rugged landscape on the Vietnam-China borders, populated mainly (over 80%) by Hmong ethnic minority.
On 29/11/2020, with AUD5000 provided by Vietnam Foundation’s flood and storm recovery fund, VNF’s in-country partner Dr Trần Đức Anh Sơn procured and delivered essential provisions, fittings and fixtures for Phong Thủy Kindergarten, Quảng Bình province, to enable the school to take in children from the nearby Đại Phong Kindergarten.Đại Phong Kindergarten was badly damaged during the recent floods and storms, and a philanthropist from Hanoi will be providing funds for the repairs and rectification of the actual school building when flood water recedes. In the meantime and until the school is repaired, made safe and operational, 150 children at Đại Phong Kindergarten needed to be temporarily transferred to Phong Thủy Kindergarten, which already had to cater for its own 250 existing preschool children. As a result, funds were urgently required to support and accommodate these additional 150 children. Following consultation with Phong Thủy Kindergarten, Dr Sơn decided to use the funds provided by VNF to procure beds, hot water units, water purifiers, electric fans, LED TVs, laser printers, and consumables to increase the school’s capacity and services. VNF would like to thank Dr Sơn for his tremendous efforts in effectively coordinating and managing the delivery of this well targeted and much needed relief work.+21
Here is a selection of photos provided last week by one of our in-country VNF partners, Dr Tran Duc Anh Son and his associate Nguyen Phong, who are delivering relief to flood affected areas. Dr Son and his team visited severely impacted villages and communes in Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces from 15/10/2020 to 20/10/2020. This included Hai Thuong commune, Hai Le commune, Dong Le ward, Xuan Thuy commune, and Phong Thuy commune. Rice, instant noodles and other foods, medicine, and life jackets were distributed to flood victims. Additional cash was gifted to the elderly, women and children who were deemed to be the most vulnerable and with the greatest need. The relief effort is now focussing on the work of repairing and rebuilding homes and schools damaged by floods in these communities.
28th October 2020
Dear friends, members and supporters,
Thank you very much for your very generous and swift support for our recent Vietnam Flood Appeal.
We are deeply touched by the overwhelming responses of so many generous friends and donors from Australia and abroad, many of whom we have never met or known before.
We have received $31,578.45 from 109 donors as at the time of this email. Official receipts for tax purposes have been sent to all donors with known email addresses. If you have not done so, please let us know your email address so we can send receipt to you.
We have sent:
➢ $5,000 to Tuổi Trẻ Newspaper
➢ $5,000 to Chung Tay Vì Cộng Đồng (Joining Hands For Community) Voluntary Society: Please visit their Website and Facebook
➢ $8,000 to Dr Trần Đức Anh Sơn and his associates
➢ $5,000 to Mr Trần Quyết Thắng of Rebike For Kids
These organisations are well known and trusted in Vietnam for their prompt and effective relief work. Your donations have been used to buy essential provisions such as medicine, food and day to day needs such as clothing, blankets, cooking utensils, etc. As this newsletter is being sent out, these much needed provisions are being urgently delivered to flood victims in Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên provinces in Central Vietnam.
The worst is not over! Central Vietnam is bracing for more flooding: Hurricane No. 9 hasarrived in Central Vietnam today, 28th of October. We are keeping in touch with relief partners in Vietnam to send the remaining balance of your donations.
Our relief work will continue as we need to help with the rebuilding of houses and schools damaged by flood, the provision of seeds to farmers. This work is vital for the people of Central Vietnam to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.
Thank you for trusting us with your very generous gifts to enable us to reach out to the people of Central Vietnam in their most difficult time.
Yours gratefully,
Lý Gia Nhẫn
President – Vietnam Foundation
15th of October 2020
Dear friends, members and supporters,
In recent days, the heavy rain and flood in Central Vietnam have caused so much damage and suffering. Many people have died and a lot more are still missing. Thousands of houses have been flooded, hundreds of homes have been completely destroyed.
Today we are launching the urgent Vietnam Flood Appeal to help the flood victims. Your donations will be used to buy the necessities, medicine and food for the victims.
Help must be delivered quickly as the situation is very serious. More and more people are sick and hungry as food and medicine are running out.
Right now our people in Vietnam are working closely with other charity organisations to make sure your donations reach the victims safely and as quickly as possible.
Please follow one of the following methods to make a donation:
Bank transfer: Account Name: VNF Vietnam Relief Fund BSB: 062 334
Account No.: 11559666
(Please provide your contact details or email address and your full name for receipt)
PayPal: Click on the PayPal Giving Fund button in the Donation section of
our website
Cheque: Please make cheque payable to “VNF Vietnam Relief Fund”
& post to:
Vietnam Foundation
137 Lancelot St, Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia
Your donation is tax deductible. All donations will be acknowledged and receipts will be issued.
Below are some images of flooding areas. Your donation means so much to the people in Central Vietnam. We are grateful to any help and support that you can give us in this Appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Ly Gia Nhan
President – Vietnam Foundation
