Vietnam Quilts

So far most of the expats I have met are here working in an aid type role or teaching. The aid roles vary dramatically from environmental education (saving tigers or deforestation) to training the locals in management postiions. Then in addition to these there are also the NGO's (non-government organisations) which do what they can to bring social justice to small communities.

Two very impressive NGO's I have supported and will continue to are KOTO Know One Teach One an Aussie run training cafe giving street kids vocational training in hospitality. Some people criticise the price of the food there but for the cause and the venue I love it.

And the other little place I have fallen for is Vietnam Quits. Vietnam Quilts is a program for women in the rural villages of Bình Thuân or Hâu Giang, originally very poor and often desperate for work. Before the quilting project these women would travel to far-away fields in search of work, leaving their children at home. In the worst situations the children were locked up until their mother returned in the evening or the day next. Upon commencement of employment in one of the quilting groups, the women now have a regular income. After a few months the women’s skills improve and they are able to earn $2 USD a day. These earnings increase the family’s income by 50-100%.

Besides the financial benefit to the women, Vietnam Quilts through their NGO provide training on health and hygiene. The women also receive employment benefits in the form of health insurance, a birth, wedding and funeral allowance.

Watch out Trev you could soon be funding 100s more country women into work as I buy all their wonderful stock.