NSW Education Team
The Education Team based in NSW has been active since 2007.
Its focus is supporting educational needs in the Ba-Ria Vung Tau Province of Vietnam. We currently help Bong Trang and Long The Vinh primary schools by supplying educational aids, equipment and uniforms to these disadvantaged rural schools. In 2010 we funded a project to refurbish and reopen the Nui Dat Kindergarten.
Partners and Sponsors
Epping Boys High School
Pimlico State High School Townsville
Long Tan Trek Tours
Supporting the needs of local schools
Bong Trang Primary School is in Xuyen Moc district and was identified as a needy school when member David White first visited it in 2016. In September of that year, students and teachers from Pimlico State High School visited Bong Trang and had a great time interacting with the 180 children at the school. On their return to Australia, they made a very generous donation which was used to provide 120 school and sports uniforms and a much needed photocopier. Bong Trang Primary School are very grateful for this practical support and it’s wonderful the difference that can be made by the generous sponsorship of Pimlico State High School.
More recently, we are helping Long The Vinh Primary School. In a visit by members Rob Scott and Dave White in August 2017, a video projector was handed over to the school. We are continuing to support Long The Vinh Primary School.
Lang Dai Primary School was another school we have supported. In 2016, they were provided with several flat screen TVs and an air-conditioner.
In providing this much needed equipment to schools we also support the local economy by purchasing the items from nearby businesses.
Nui Dat Kindergarten Refurbishment
The kindergarten was built by a local builder who submitted the successful tender. In so doing AVVRG supports the local economy as well as being assured that the facilities would be completed on time, on budget and in accordance with local standards.
A tendering process in early 2010 was followed by construction between April and August 2010. We are very indebted to Michael Foley and Bruce Mason for ably supervising on site the tendering and construction phases. Epping Boys High School equipped the kindergarten with educational equipment and furniture using fund raised by the students.
The Kindergarten was re-opened at a formal ceremony on 19 Oct 2010 by Ms. Moon, Vice Chairman of the Union of Friendships Organisation and Mr. Graeme Swift, Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City. Also present at the colourful opening ceremony were Kevin Erwin, AVVRG National President, Kerry Phelan, NSW Committee Chairman, Dennis Wood, Project Manager and a number of AVVRG members.
Sadly the local educational authorities decided to close the kindergarten at the beginning of the school year in September 2017 as a result of a large kindergarten being built in another nearby town in this rapidly developing province. In its seven years of operation it provided long day care (including meals) for 80 3-5 year olds.
As well as providing day care and early childhood education, the kindergarten was a significant local employer thereby making a useful contribution to the local economy.
Individuals can make a difference