KOTO Vietnam

“KOTO believes in the right of every young person to live their lives with skills, dignity and pride. KOTO will empower young people in the program with the necessary life skills to make the right decisions, encourage confidence and to invest positively in themselves and their community"

There are an enormous number of Vietnamese youth living in poverty with little hope of finishing school, let alone finding a career. Many come to the city in search of work, and end up living and working on the streets, selling postcards or chewing gum, or shining

shoes. In Hanoi alone, there are an estimated 19,000 young people living on the streets.

These children and adolescents are commonly known as “bui doi”, literally translated as the "dust of life”. They face a number of specific and serious obstacles trying to survive in an extremely competitive and volatile environment. Sadly, many have extremely poor health and fall prey to drugs, exploitation, crime and prostitution.

KOTO is a not for profit restaurant and vocational training program that is changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam.

In just over ten years, KOTO has grown from a small sandwich shop run by nine former street children to become a popular restaurant staffed by ‘trainees’ who are studying an internationally accredited hospitality training course. Graduates of the KOTO program are fast becoming the preferred staff at top hotels and restaurants in Hanoi and throughout Vietnam.

Every six months, KOTO takes around 25 young people off the streets or from extremely difficult life circumstances. These trainees are given thorough health checks and vaccinations, and provided with uniforms, laundry, lunch every day, accommodation in share houses, ongoing medical care and a monthly training allowance.

KOTO's unique 24 month program, which combines hospitality and English-language training with the development of life skills, is resulting in graduates who are not only well skilled and employable, but are also ‘well-rounded’ individuals. Through the KOTO program, young people develop confidence and skills that enable them to move forward with their lives and secure stable employment. They are empowered with the ability to support themselves and their families, and through this, break the cycle of poverty.

"The greatest accomplishment for the person who has helped you, is to see you stand on your own two feet and then in turn help someone else that reminds you of yourself, because if you Know One, then you should Teach One."