We are still in the Process of uploading all posts of our current and completed projects to our site. The information below will give you a good idea of the work that we have done and continue to do. Please check back soon.
Fundraising by the Group includes the running of raffles, donations from friends and caring people and Collection tins at several locations.
Since the first pilgrimage, the Group has raised funds each year, to provide foodstuffs, medicines and other necessities to impoverished poor in the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province and to the Ba Ria Govt Orphanage.
Where We Assist
- An orphanage in the town of Vung Tau received assistance on one trip and then it became fully funded by a French Organization.
- Support has also been given to elderly poor at the town of Xuyen Moc (Swin Mop).
- In 2007, besides providing foodstuff to the elderly poor at Xuyen Moc, a mattress, bedding, clothing and essentials were provided to an elderly woman with no possessions, who had worked for the Australians during the War. With no other place to stay, she sleeps in the dilapidated Market place each night.
- Our list is growing. We have taken on the Hermanus Hospitallers Orphanage on the outskirts of Ba Ria Town. Run by Catholic Nuns, 110 young ones are cared for, about 30 of whom are mentally or physically impaired.
- Our latest addition is the Friends For Street Children Association in Sai Gon and in particular their Binh Trieu Development Centre. (http://ffscvn.org/)
- Amongst other things, two 11Kg automatic washing machines (total value of approximately $960) have now been donated to the FFSCA Binh Trieu Orphanage …. one in April 2011 and a second in April 2012.
- We also pay for the yearly maintenance expenses for the water filtration system.
- We also became involved in assisting street Children in Sai Gon to enter the KOTO (Know One Teach One) program started by Mr. Jimmy PHAM. (http://www.koto.com.au/)
- Travelling to Viet Nam once a year has proved very difficult for the Coordinators to attend to tasks associated with the Charity side of the Tour due to the size of the Group. It became obvious that a second trip a year by the coordinators was needed. Thus in April 2011 the 3 coordinators travelled to Viet Nam and were able to conduct several meetings in Sai Gon and in the Ba Ria- Vung Tau Province without interruption.
- The visit to the Hermanus Hospitaller Orphanage enabled the taking of water samples from the in use wells and having them tested for impurities at the Water Testing Station in Vung Tau. High levels of E-coli were found to be present in the samples.
- Finally, in July 2013, a local contractor installed a full water filtration system on our behalf. The $1,400-00 cost includes a 12 month maintenance contract
- An inspection of their vehicle found that it is extremely unsafe and efforts are being made to assist in the replacement of the vehicle. At approximately $35,000 it will unfortunately take some time to achieve this goal – unless we find a Fairy Godmother/father to assist!!!!