Together Newsletter – July & August 2023

STORY OF THE MONTH

SHARING FROM MEMBERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL STAFF MEETING

The Annual Staff Meeting 2023 with the theme “Turn challenges into chances” was successfully held with many memorable moments. Each member surely have their own feelings about the meeting. Today, let’s have a talk with Ms. Ung Thi Hien – Project Officer, Hoa Binh Office and Ms. Lo Thuy Dung – Project Officer, Cao Bang Office to hear their thoughts!

Ms. Ung Thi Hien is a member who has attended many Annual Staff Meetings. However, this year’s event was probably more special to her as the year 2023 marks her 25-year journey with ChildFund Vietnam.

Hi Hien, nice to meet you! ChildFund Vietnam’s 2023 Annual Staff Meeting has ended with many memorable moments. As for yourself, what was the most impressive thing?

Ms. Hien: Hello! I was very impressed with the message “Strong collaboration leads to new strength”. Along with that, when listening to the presentation on the new strategy (getting out of the comfort zone), I also felt more motivated to conquer new challenges with my colleagues.

As a member who has participated in many Annual Meetings with ChildFund Vietnam, what are the new things for you when joining this year’s event?

Ms. Hien: I feel that the venue this year was very professional and versatile. In addition, this year, the contents were presented in many exciting and unique ways, such as a press conference, etc. The team building activities were filled with laughter, while the Gala night to me was like a musical, very creative and engaging.

This year’s Annual Meeting is also an occasion to celebrate your 25th anniversary with ChildFund Vietnam. Can you share with us your feelings?

Ms. Hien: I feel very happy, as if I am an athlete who has completed a journey. I also brace myself to strive for new achievements in the future. With the warm cheers and congratulations of my colleagues on the anniversary, I feel ready for the upcoming journey.

Thank you for your sharing! See you in the next newsletters!

Unlike Ms. Hien, this year’s Annual Meeting is Ms. Lo Thuy Dung’s first. With her positive energy, Dung has left many great impressions on other members.

Hello Dung! What how do you feel after joining the first Annual Staff Meeting with ChildFund Vietnam?

Dung: I feel very happy participating in the Annual Staff Meeting for the first time. I have had the chance to meet and work with all staff members, thus allowing me to understand more about those that I had little chance to talk to before, or even the ones I have never met. For me, ChildFunders are always energetic, enthusiastic, and creative in accordance with the spirit “work hard, play hard”. Ah, I think they are very funny too

What was the most impressive thing for you during the meeting?

Dung: I was really impressed with the Mindfulness workshop. I think the knowledge that I got from this workshop can help me enhance my efficiency, build my own strength, and allow me to better understand people around me through practical exercises.

You and your teammates have given everyone an exciting performance during Gala night. Can you tell us a little bit about the team’s preparation process?

Dung: My team members were all occupied with their own professional duties, so we tried to discuss ideas for our performance whenever we had free time. Thanks to our teamwork, we soon reached an agreement on what to perform during the Gala night. We just tried to sing and dance naturally, as if “we don’t perform arts, arts performs us”. I really enjoyed the Annual Staff Meeting, and I would like to say thanks to the organisers for such a warm and exciting event. I look forward to our upcoming journey together.

Thank you! We look forward to meeting you again soon!

TIN TIN TICK & TALK

VIETNAM’S 7TH NATIONAL CHILDREN FORUM

News by: Communications Team

On 6 August, the National Children Forum took place for the 7th year. The event was organised by the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs, …….

On 6 August, the National Children Forum took place for the 7th year. The event was organised by the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Committee on Culture and Education, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Central Executive Committee. The theme was “Children’s participation in building a safe and healthy environment for children”. During three days of occurrence, the event will receive the attendance of 188 children from 43 cities and provinces, and numerous child-care organisations from all across the country.

This is the 7th year in a row where ChildFund Vietnam has supported the National Children Forum. This year, the event receives a total of 12 children from Hoa Binh, Bac Kan and Cao Bang provinces. After their participation in local forums with ChildFund Vietnam’s support, these children are well-prepared to speak up in the National Children Forum on behalf of the 500,000 children in the three provinces.

JOINING HANDS TO PROTECT CHILDREN ONLINE

News by: Nguyen Manh Cuong – Project Officer

In the evening of 18 August 2023, in addition to fun activities usually held at the Cao Bang walking street, nearly 500 students and hundreds of parents….

In the evening of 18 August 2023, in addition to fun activities usually held at the Cao Bang walking street, nearly 500 students and hundreds of parents and visitors participated in the activity “Joining hands to protect children online”.

This activity is organised by the Management Unit of Non-Governmental Projects of Cao Bang City and the Criminal Police Department of the People’s Police Academy, with the support of ChildFund Vietnam and the city’s and province’s police.

Here, the children excitedly play games in five interactive spots providing information about online safety, learn about online grooming’s consequences in real life through a short play, and participate in a contest on online safety knowledge and how to respond to online abuse.

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

News by: Ly Thi Phuong – Project Officer

From 19 to 20 August 2023, a Workshop on the practice of inclusive education for core teachers of Cao Bang and Bac Kan provinces was held in Cao Bang city…..

From 19 to 20 August 2023, a Workshop on the practice of inclusive education for core teachers of Cao Bang and Bac Kan provinces was held in Cao Bang city. This is part of a series of cooperative activities between ChildFund, the Project Management Unit, and the Departments of Education and Training of two provinces through the project “My right to education phase 2”. The activities aim to promote the quality of disability inclusive education in preschools, primary, secondary, and high schools.

More than 100 delegates from the two provinces’ Departments of Education and Training have practiced planning inclusive education and individual education plans for children with disability. After the workshop, these core teachers will guide other teachers in their district at the beginning of the school year 2023-2024.

Mr. Luong Ngoc Anh, Head of the Early Childhood and Primary Education Department under the Cao Bang Department of Education and Training shared: “These detailed implementation workshops are very useful to teachers and administrators of schools that have students with disability. With technical support from ChildFund, the implementation of disability inclusive education locally will be more effective. We will plan, implement, and update the results at the end of next year”.

SHARING EXPERIENCES IN OPERATING & ORGANISING ACTIVITIES

News by: Hoang Van Hung – Project Coordinator

From 28 to 31 July, with support from the project “My right to education phase 2”, the Organisation of People with Disability (OPD) in Na Ri district, Bac Kan province…..

From 28 to 31 July, with support from the project “My right to education phase 2”, the Organisation of People with Disability (OPD) in Na Ri district, Bac Kan province has visited and shared experience in operating and organising activities with the OPD of Thai Binh province.

In addition to gaining knowledge on management and development of the OPD, one of the other main goals of Na Ri OPD during the trip was to learn about livelihood models as well as how to strengthen the development of branches and promote socialisation in order to find funding sources for the organisation’s activities. The OPD branch in Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province was used as a case study as it has succeeded in developing an annual work plan and reaching out to agencies and businesses in the district to call for donations.

The knowledge and practical experiences shared by members of the OPD in Thai Binh province have greatly motivated the Na Ri OPD to be more confident on their journey to develop an organisation of and for people with disability. The two OPDs have also committed to connect, share, and support each other in common activities to further promote the network of people with disability in Vietnam.

TRAINING COURSES ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FOR STUDENTS

News by: Ung Thi Hien – Project Officer

This July, two training courses to provide necessary knowledge on adolescent reproductive health were organised by the project “Health and wellbeing for students” for…..

This July, two training courses to provide necessary knowledge on adolescent reproductive health were organised by the project “Health and wellbeing for students” for 56 Youth Union officers at all levels from Ngo Luong, Quyet Chien, Ngoc My, Phu Cuong, Phu Vinh, and Suoi Hoa communes in Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province.

The training program covers a wide range of topics including puberty, friendship and love, safe and consensual sex, pregnancy and contraception, sexually transmitted infections, child marriage, inbreeding and gender.

With the knowledge acquired, the Youth Union officers will coordinate with health stations to communicate and improve awareness on adolescent reproductive health for parents and secondary school students in the area.

VIETNAM & ISRAEL: JOINING HANDS TO PREVENT CYBERBULLYING

News by: Do Duong Hien – Online Safety Specialist

On 20 July, the seminar “Vietnam – Israel preventing cyberbullying” was co-organised by the Embassy of Israel and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs…..

On 20 July, the seminar “Vietnam – Israel preventing cyberbullying” was co-organised by the Embassy of Israel and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in Hanoi.

At the seminar, Mr. Doron Herman – CEO of Safe School Analytics – a speaker from Israel introduced various models and success stories related to cyberbullying prevention. Also at the event, representatives from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, UNICEF in Vietnam, and ChildFund Vietnam also presented about the current situation, related policies and laws, and general solutions and specific interventions on cyberbullying prevention in Vietnam.

Sharing at the event, Mr. Do Duong Hien, ChildFund Vietnam’s Online Safety Specialist said: “As the first non-profit organisation (NGO) to implement child protection interventions online, ChildFund sees many similarities between the model being implemented by the government and related parties in Israel and the efforts being made by the government and NGOs in Vietnam. In the coming time, we look forward to working together for the common goal of online safety for children”.

CULTURE CORNER

ANNUAL STAFF MEETING 2023 - TURN CHALLENGES INTO CHANCES

Many memorable moments in the Annual Staff Meeting, including our meetings, teambuilding activities, and Gala night have been recorded in the short video diary below. Let’s check it out together!

Special thanks to Doan Lan Hanh – Communication Officer, Tran Van Tu – Project Coordinator, and Luc Huy Chung – Project Officer for saving all these beautiful moments!

ANT EGG CAKE - A QUINTESSENTIAL CAO BANG CUISINE

Every April and May, the Tay ethnic people residing in mountainous areas in Vietnam go to the forest to find ant eggs to make cakes. Ant egg cake is made from glutinous rice flour, ant eggs, and young leaves of the fig tree.

Going to the forest to find ant eggs is a challenging process as not all types of ant eggs can be eaten. The Tay people only make cakes with eggs of the black ants with small bodies and pointed tails. This insect moves very quickly and often nests inside trees. From a large ant nest, several cups of eggs can be collected. Ant eggs are fried in lard until fragrant, then covered by a layer of rice flour batter. The cake is wrapped by a fig leaf, then steamed. When it is ready, people will use scissors to cut the cake into square pieces.

Ant egg cake has become a popular dish not only in Cao Bang but also in Bac Kan, Hoa Binh, Tuyen Quang, etc. Have you ever had a chance to try this dish, ChildFunders?

DID YOU KNOW?

Before ending the Together Newsletter, let’s test your knowledge of the recent Annual Staff Meeting with the quiz below!

Together

July & August 2023

CHILDFUNDERS – FOR CHILDREN’S WELLBEING

STORY OF THE MONTH

SHARING FROM MEMBERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL STAFF MEETING

TIN TIN TICK & TALK

CULTURE CORNER

ANNUAL STAFF MEETING 2023 - TURN CHALLENGES INTO CHANCES

ANT EGG CAKE - A QUINTESSENTIAL CAO BANG CUISINE

DID YOU KNOW?

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