STORY OF THE MONTH
THE 14-YEAR JOURNEY OF PRIDE
The Trung Khanh graduation ceremony was successfully held, marking a 14-year journey of pride. Such a meaningful event would be impossible without the contributions of enthusiastic members. Let’s welcome Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong – Province Manager, Cao Bang Office and Ms. Le Thi Minh Phuong – Business Development Officer and listen to their sharing about the preparation process for the graduation ceremony.
Hello! Thank you for spending time with us. The Trung Khanh graduation ceremony was successful, marking the end of a meaningful 14-year journey. Could both of you share your feelings with us after the ceremony?
Ms. Nguyen Phuong: I am very happy that ChildFund has supported the community in Trung Khanh district for the past 14 years. Looking back now, I feel proud to see that Trung Khanh district has witnessed various changes in its infrastructure and living conditions. The income of people participating in the project has also increased, while 2,000 children have benefited.
Ms. Minh Phuong: I also feel very proud and happy. This is our first large-scale graduation ceremony, and it is also our farewell to the partnership between ChildFund and Trung Khanh district. Having had an opportunity to reflect on what we have done during the past 14 years with local children and local authorities is meaningful to me. I also had the chance to visit the projects implemented in Trung Khanh, Quang Hoa, and Thach An districts and listen to the sharing of the youths, teachers, students, or school administrators. I feel grateful and excited for the positive changes that the projects bring; also full of hope for the good results that the partner and ChildFund have been building together. Through the trip, I also learned many new things when I had access to progressive development perspectives of managers and colleagues from New Zealand.
To organise such an event, extensive preparations are necessary. Can you share so that people can better understand those jobs?
Ms. Nguyen Phuong: In order for the ceremony to go smoothly, ChildFund members and I had meetings to discuss, prepare, and agree on the content of the ceremony. After the content was approved, I and other members of ChildFund Cao Bang began holding meetings with partners to share and comment on the content of the ceremony. After reaching an agreement with the parties, I and the members coordinated to each district and commune department in charge.
After assigning necessary tasks, I regularly exchanged ideas with local authorities to monitor and oversee the preparation work ranging from welcoming delegations, preparing reports, ensuring logistics, decorations… I and the members of the Cao Bang regional office also regularly meet to review the preparation work to support partners in a timely manner.
Ms. Minh Phuong: First of all, I would like to thank my colleagues from the Public Affairs team, the Program team, the HRSS team, and especially members of ChildFund Cao Bang for actively accompanying the Business Development team in organising the event. Three months before the ceremony, representatives of each team had various meetings to brainstorm ideas, develop organisational plans and assign tasks. We regularly updated each other on the preparation process as well as advantages and challenges. Thanks to the support from the Senior Management team and the efforts of the whole team, the event was well-prepared and went well despite some unexpected changes and events.
Perhaps this is a question that I would like to give specifically to Ms. Minh Phuong. An impressive thing during the ceremony is that you took on the role of an MC in the ceremony. Was it a memorable experience for you?
This is not my first time being an MC, but it is indeed an unforgettable experience for me. Before the ceremony, I was a bit stressed because my health was not good, and I did not have much time to prepare the script carefully. Fortunately, the ceremony had too many interesting performances, so the English – speaking delegates did not complain about the MC :D. Mr. Tuan even asked me to continue accompanying him in other events (if any).
Thank you very much for sharing. See you again in other Newsletters in the future!
In addition, let’s listen to the sharing and farewell of the people living in Trung Khanh district.
TIN TIN TICK & TALK
A SPECIAL VISIT TO CAO BANG PROVINCE
Last June, within the framework of Trung Khanh graduation ceremony, a delegation including members from ChildFund Australia, ChildFund New Zealand, and ChildFund Vietnam had a visit to Cao Bang province.
After three working days, the delegation spent time visiting the models of growing canna, fattening buffaloes, and semi-boarding schools in Cao Bang province. The delegation also attended the graduation ceremony to reflect on the 14-year partnership with Trung Khanh district, along with coming to Hanoi office to have beautiful pictures with ChildFund Vietnam members.
CEO OF CHILDFUND AUSTRALIA MEETING PARTNERS
During her visit to Vietnam, Margaret Sheehan, the CEO of ChildFund Australia, had meetings with current and potential partners of ChildFund Vietnam to strengthen existing collaborations and assess the feasibility of expanding project areas and identifying new partners in various fields.
In the meetings with strategic partners, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights (VACR) and the Department of Children (DOCA), the delegates dedicated time to discuss important issues related to Vietnamese children, such as the digitisation process of child databases and integration into the national system, as well as the issue of migrant children in the southern region. The participants also deliberated on future directions and cooperative plans.
Margaret also allocated time to meet with two potential partner organisations, Greenhub and Saigon Children Charity. Greenhub has achieved success in projects that educate students and teachers on waste management and promote water and energy saving practices. Meanwhile, Saigon Children Charity excels in providing Training of Trainers (TOT) programs for teachers, physical therapists, psychologists, and others involved in supporting children with disabilities. The successful models of these two partners are considered to have the potential for integration and application in future projects of ChildFund Vietnam.
These meetings, along with other concerted efforts, have laid a solid foundation for future endeavors in realising the localisation strategy of the organisation.
CHILDFUND VIETNAM SAYING GOODBYE TO TRUNG KHANH
News by: Comms Team
On 15 June, ChildFund Vietnam has cooperated with the People’s Committee of Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang province to organise the “Trung Khanh disaffiliation….”
CHILDREN SPEAKING UP AT TWO FORUMS IN BAC KAN PROVINCE
News by: Nguyen Thi Thom – Project Officer
On the afternoon of 13 June, with the support of ChildFund Vietnam, the People’s Committee of Bac Kan city held a Children’s Forum…..
On the afternoon of 13 June, with the support of ChildFund Vietnam, the People’s Committee of Bac Kan city held a Children’s Forum with the theme “Children participate in building a safe, friendly and healthy living environment.”. In Na Ri district, a similar forum also took place on 14 and 15 June 2023.
Participating in two events were representatives from departments, unions, leaders of the city, communes, towns, and more than 150 children in the area.
These forums give children the opportunity to exchange and express their views, as well as improve their social skills. In addition, the forums also help to raise awareness and responsibility of all levels, sectors, and the society on the implementation of child rights.
EXCITING “SUMMER CLOUD – FUN SUMMER EXPERIENCE”
News by: Lo Thuy Dung – Project Officer
“I think the event was very fun and meaningful because I got to participate in very practical activities and learn about how to live independently…..”
Participating in this event within the project “Safe and supportive semi-boarding school for students”, 44 students from project schools in Ngan Son district (Bac Kan province) and Thach An district (Cao Bang province) have revisited knowledge on independent living skills and social-emotional skills (SEL) through group competitions. The “Experience Train” section with many interesting games also provided them with knowledge to protect themselves online and in emergency situations.
From the co-organisers of the program, D. – Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of Quang Trong commune shared: “These games are new and can be replicated in other activities of the Union, we will definitely apply them in other summer activities for local children”.
STRENGTHEN HEALTH SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY IN CAO BANG AND BAC KAN PROVINCES
News by: Hoang Van Hung – Project Coordinator
During the training course that took place from 22-25 June, 45 teachers and managers from the Education Centres for Children with Disability……
TRAINING COURSE ON PLANNING AND ORGANISING MEETINGS FOR THE ORGANISATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
News by: Hoang Van Hung – Project Coordinator
On 21-22 June 2023, Na Ri district Organisation of People with Disability (OPD) organised an important training course on planning and organising meetings…..
STRENGTHEN THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE FIELD OF CHILD PROTECTION
News by: Nguyen Thi Minh An – Project Coordinator
On 27 June 2023 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Association for Protection of Child Rights (VACR) collaborated with ChildFund Vietnam…..
CULTURE CORNER
CAO PHONG ORANGES - THE QUINTESSENTIAL FRUIT OF HOA BINH
When it comes to Cao Phong oranges, people will immediately refer to the land of Hoa Binh. This province has become the home of many famous specialties, including Cao Phong oranges.
The precious quality of Cao Phong oranges is due to the combination of two factors: geographical conditions and production skills of the people living in the district. The terrain for planting oranges is in the form of hills and mountains with the shape of an upside-down bowl. Besides, Cao Phong’s climate is also suitable for growing such oranges.
If you’ve ever tasted genuine Cao Phong oranges, you’ll find that we won’t be able to find another orange with the same taste. Although every orange is sweet and sour, the degree or juiciness will be totally different. The sweet, elegant and fresh taste of Cao Phong oranges easily makes us feel relaxed amidst the fresh nature of Hoa Binh province.
DID YOU KNOW?
Before ending the Together Newsletter of July, let’s spend time answering a few questions related to the partnership between ChildFund Vietnam and Trung Khanh district! Let’s get started!
Together
June 2023
CHILDFUNDERS – FOR CHILDREN’S WELLBEING