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. Our main project has been the refurbishment and reopening of the Nui Dat Kindergarten. The two classrooms originally built by AVVRG needed a kitchen, dining room and children’s toilets to be added to make it suitable for long day care. It is now a fully functional kindergarten and a showpiece of cooperation between AVVRG and the local community of Nui Dat, the site of the Australian Task Force Base during the Vietnam War.
Partners and Sponsors
Epping Boys High School
Over the years, the Education Team has formed a very strong partnership with Epping Boys High School who continue to raise significant funds for educational purposes in Vietnam. AVVRG is very appreciative of this ongoing support by the students of Epping Boys High School.
Lattitude Global Volunteering Org
Partnering with Lattitude Global Volunteering Organisation, the NSW Committee sponsors gap year students from Australia to help teach English. In 2013, two young ladies spent three months in Vung Tau assisting English teaching at primary and university levels.
Long Tan Trek Tours
Dave Sabben’s Long Tan Trek Tours continue to sponsor the Nui Dat Kindergarten from their very successful tours. Read the latest tour brochure for details about these unique tours.
Nui Dat Kindergarten Refurbishment
This project was the brainchild of members Kerry Phelan and Mike O’Hara. Funds were raised by the NSW Committee mainly through two very successful dinners held at Parliament House.
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.
The kindergarten provides long day care, including lunch to 3-5 year olds and has proven to be very popular. Originally planned to accommodate 60 children, two years on this number had grown to almost 80, putting pressure on the facilities. As a result the NSW Team added an additional dining room and toilet facilities last year.
As well as providing day care and early childhood education, the kindergarten is a significant local employer thereby making a useful contribution to the local economy
In June 2014, a number of members, including Kerry Phelan and Mike O’Hara re-visited the kindergarten to see the operation first hand some 4 years after it was re-opened. A plaque was unveiled commemorating all those volunteers who were involved in making the kindergarten a reality.