STORY OF THE MONTH
A QUICK CHAT WITH ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFS
Everytime we enter the office, we are greeted by the bright smiles of Administrative staffs. They are always the ones who take care of us, listen to us, and provide support to all members of the ChildFund family. However, sometimes, these "supporters" themselves also face difficulties and want to be heard and understood. Therefore, this November, let's listen to some stories shared by Administrative staffs of all four offices!
Photo: Ms. Ngan Anh and Ms. Dao at the Annual Staff Meeting 2023
Hello ladies, thank you so much for participating in this month’s newsletter! As we approach the final months of 2023, can you share with us your most memorable moment from the past year with ChildFund?
Ms. Ngan Anh: There are many good memories, but what I remember most are definitely words of love and appreciation from everyone to us “silent warriors”.
Ms. Dao: Last year, my most memorable moment was closing the deal to liquidate the office car for the landlord of Hoa Binh office. I just mentioned the deal jokingly, but he actually agreed to buy it! In addition, the procedures for transferring names and changing owners were completed very quickly, despite everyone thinking it was difficult since the organisation has posted the listing many times with no success. Not only that, but I also successfully persuaded him to equip the office with a brand new set of rolling doors!
Ms. Huyen: My happiest memory of the past year was being able to organise the Annual Staff Meeting in August 2023 with my colleagues in a super short time (within 2 weeks) and with very high efficiency. We received very positive feedbacks and I find the team’s effort very worthwhile.
Photo: Ms. Nga, Administrative Officer of Cao Bang Office
As an Administrative staff, what challenges have you encountered during your work? How did you overcome them?
Ms. Nga: In the past year, Administrative staffs have taken on a number of additional tasks, which requires me to learn new things and organise my time better to be able to complete all tasks. Luckily, I have great colleagues who are always ready to give support, so it became a very exciting experience and I gained many valuable work experience and skills.
Ms. Ngan Anh: The biggest challenge for me is when unexpected events happen and I have to respond quickly. At those times, I have to calmly handle the situation and do my best to get the tasks done.
What about your achievements in the past year? Can you share about the one you are most proud of?
Ms. Dao: I worked hard to become GIÀU (Rich), but no matter how hard I try, I can’t get the U in GIÀU, so what I got was GIÀ (Old) 
Ms. Nga: I have shown appreciation and spreaded joy to my colleagues through birthday cards and farewell videos I created with deep understanding and sincerity 
Photo: Ms. Huyen at the Annual Staff Meeting 2023
Thank you so much for sharing. To close today’s conversation, would you like to send some wishes to all ChildFunders before Christmas and New Year?
Ms. Huyen: This Christmas and New Year 2024, I would like to send my best wishes to all staffs and volunteers of ChildFund. I believe that ChildFund will continue to achieve more and bring children everywhere a brighter future!
Ms. Ngan Anh: I would like to send a wish to all ChildFunders: Even when life gets busy and challenging, I hope you will be able to find peace in your soul and take good care of yourself both physically and mentally!!!
Ms. Nga: Wishing the ChildFund family a Christmas and New Year season filled with good health and success!
Ms. Dao: This holiday season, I would like to wish all ChildFunders and their families good health and much joy. Let’s welcome 2024 with lots of luck, successes, and happiness! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Photo: Members of the Human Resources and Support Services team with the Country Director
TIN TIN TICK & TALK
ChildFund Vietnam participates in the Photo Exhibition on Achievements of Australian Partner Non-governmental Organisations in Vietnam
News by: Communications team
On 9 November, the exhibition “Development…
ChildFund’s specialist presenting on inclusive education at the Regional Australian Awards Alumni Workshop
News by: Ton Thi Tam – Education Specialist
In early November, ChildFund Vietnam’s Education…
Integrating online safety into secondary school subjects
News by: Hoang Ngoc Linh – Project Officer
In November, with support from ChildFund and the Department of Education and Training of Bac Kan province, secondary schools in Ngan Son district piloted the integration of online safety…
ChildFund Vietnam participates in the the second ASEAN Information Technology Forum on online child protection
News by: Nguyen Manh Cuong – Project Officer
The forum took place on 23 and 24 November in Bangkok, Thailand. Participating in the event…
Bringing warmth to children in Cao Bang
News by: Communications team
Opening ceremony of the Na Ri wellness spa
News by: Communications team
CULTURE CORNER
CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY
On the occasion of International Men’s Day 19 November this year, the men at ChildFund Vietnam were treated with exciting parties filled with laughter and surprises. In Hoa Binh office, the joy was even doubled as both International Men’s Day and Vietnamese Women’s Day were organised together on the same day ❤️
Let’s take a look at the most special moments from our offices through the slideshow below!
"RUOC DAT RUOC NUOC" FESTIVAL
OF THE TAY PEOPLE IN BAC KAN
Have you ever heard about the “Ruoc Dat Ruoc Nuoc” Festival of the Tay people in Bac Kan province? This is a traditional festival held by the Tay people on the full moon day of January every year to pray to Mother Earth and Mother Water to bless the land with fertility, keep the water source from ever run out, and help the villagers to have a good life.
Right from the early morning, the villagers sent a group of people including a shaman, the drum, gong, and flute team, and women who are hard-working and have a healthy family life to go up the mountains – where the water is the most pure – to carry the Earth and Water souls down to attend the festival.
The shaman will be the messenger to communicate with the gods and is assigned to be the leader of the group. He will carry the Nem tree – a symbol of fertility – and lead the group to the festival site. After him are the water carriers. Water is stored in two large urns, symbolising the mother and father figure. After that are the earth carriers. The soul of Mother Earth is taken from the top of the sacred mountain. Carriers of offerings for the gods will be the last ones in the line.
When performing the ceremony, the shaman sprays water to cast spells to ward off bad things and keep demons away from the villagers. After the ceremony, the shaman throws corn and rice as gifts from the gods to the villagers. Everyone who attends will try to get at least a few grains of rice or corn to take home for good luck, with hope that their next crops will be bountiful.
DID YOU KNOW?
RESPECTING CHILDREN'S EMOTIONS
During three months of action to celebrate the Respect value, we have discussed respect towards others, towards ourselves, etc. However, as an adult or a parent, have you practiced showing respect for your children? Today, let’s learn how to respect children’s emotions through the sharing of Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha Lan – SEL Technical Officer!
Respecting children’s emotions is very important. When adults respect children’s emotions, children will feel loved and accepted. This will help children to develop healthily both mentally and physically.
