KOTO Events Saigon |
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KOTO Fieldtrip 2011 KOTO Saigon class 2 and 3 and Hanoi trainees class 18 and 19 met each other for the first time last week for the annual fieldtrip this time in Hue and traveled together to Hoi An. Despite the long bus journey trainees were enthusiastic and participated well in all activities including visiting tombs and pagodas in Hue, the ancient city of Hoi An and famous places along the way such as Lang Co beach, Ngu Hanh Son, Non Nuoc pagoda, and Cua Ðai beach. The purpose of the trip was to bring trainees staff from both locations closer, on a trip that would provide team building opportunities, fun activities at the beach, and introduce KOTO trainees to Vietnam’s heritage. The trip did just that. This year’s Field trip had a total of 125 participants including trainees and staff from north and south and the Maquarie Univertity in NSW volunteer team. We were well looked after with the generous support from hotels and restaurants who provided wonderful service for us wherever we went. We would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors: Trails of Indochina, Peregrine, Travel Indochina, ICS, PEAK, Exotissimo, International SOS, Coca Cola, JoyFu Water, HT&eMotion, La Residence Hue, La Residence, Hoi An Hotel, Ancient Hue Restaurant, Festival Hue Hotel and all other supporters who have helped to make this trip possible. _______________________________________________________________________ KOTO 2011 Field Trip Photos
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_________________________________________________________________________ Community Service pilot program a success KOTO Saigon has just finished their 9 week pilot project – Rice Kitchen, as part of the Community service program for trainees and staff. This project was a collaboration with Save the Children (STC) and KOTO Saigon trainees and staff, where we provided free meals to all street youths who participated in their HIV/AIDS prevention workshops. KOTO Saigon prepared, cooked and delivered over 750 meals over the of 9 week period, to three different locations each week mostly on Thursday nights and at Saturday noon. The meals were delivered in re-usable rice trays rather than Styrofoam boxes and plastic bags as it would have less impact on the environment. The objectives of the project was to give trainees and staff the opportunity to give back to the community, learn extra skills (e.g. leadership, organisation, project management skills etc.) and the program would act as a vehicle to promote the KOTO program to street youths for future recruitment. The project was also to support STC’s HIV/AIDS prevention workshops. The project received a lot of positive feedback from street youths, STC staff and KOTO trainees and staff. In terms of meeting objectives the program has been a resounding success as all participants and recipients enjoyed the program and KOTO’s profile has been raised amongst the street youth of HCMC. KOTO Saigon is currently seeking funding to carry out this project for next 12 months and if you would like to support this project please contact us. _______________________________________________________________________________
A Change of Perception June 2011 The general concept is there are three main categories; full time street youth, part time street youth with family and part time street youth without family. In between these categories there are many other variations as to why youth are living/working on the streets.But times are changing and street youth are beginning to look beyond their current situation. This was evident when 50 young guests entered the Saigon Star hotel to attend the Career Orientation Day for Street Youth yesterday initiated by the Open University of HCMC and Save the Children. The room was intimate with a positive vibe as the young guests listened to presenters from six different vocational training centers and career services in HCMC. After each presentation hands went up and concerns were raised. Perhaps for some guests this was the first time they had ever touched a microphone. The main concerns for the guests were, not having identity papers and accommodation and transportation whilst studying. They also questioned whether studying was 'difficult'. Among the presenters were Thang Long School (from Saigon Children’s Charity), Lasan Duc Minh vocational training center, Bún Cho Hà Noi restaurant, the Future Project, YMCA and KOTO Saigon. Guests had a range of vocations to choose from such as hospitality, motorbike repair, hairdressing, sewing and digital retouching (Photoshop), electronics and more. The day closed with an open forum for more discussions between guests and vocational training providers and both parties walked away with a better understanding of each other. This better understanding sparked a change in perception for street youth about vocational training and sparked a change in perception for the community about how we see street youth today.
HCMC - Feb 17th,KOTO Saigon and Synovate combine to give conference delegates a once in a life time experience.
Synovate – the world’s fourth largest market research company – have just wrapped up their Global Conference in HCMC. Over 300 delegates from more than 60 countries travelled to Vietnam for this once a year event.
KOTO Saigon was honoured to be the beneficiary of the Synovate CARES program. This initiative has been a part of their conference for a number of years and is where the company selects a not-for-profit organisation to work with and provide a great experience for the delegates.
Following welcome speeches the conference delegates split into 18 groups with each group hosting 2 or 3 KOTO trainees. The group then made their way to 18 venues across the city for a cooking class and a communication session between the conference delegates and their trainees.
On completion of the cooking class everyone joined together at Binh Quoi for dinner and a cultural show.
This event was a great experience for the trainees and one they would remember for a very long time. As Phi from Class 1 said “it was a very good opportunity to talk to people from all around the world”. In addition to the experiences enjoyed by everyone, the event raised over $10,000 for KOTO Saigon.
KOTO Saigon would like to thank Infiniti Events for organising the conference and all at Synovate for making the day so worthwhile for all concerned.
______________________________________________________________________________ HCMC - Feb 17th,KOTO Saigon and Synovate combine to give conference delegates a once in a life time experience. Synovate – the world’s fourth largest market research company – have just wrapped up their Global Conference in HCMC. Over 300 delegates from more than 60 countries travelled to Vietnam for this once a year event. KOTO Saigon was honoured to be the beneficiary of the Synovate CARES program. This initiative has been a part of their conference for a number of years and is where the company selects a not-for-profit organisation to work with and provide a great experience for the delegates. Following welcome speeches the conference delegates split into 18 groups with each group hosting 2 or 3 KOTO trainees. The group then made their way to 18 venues across the city for a cooking class and a communication session between the conference delegates and their trainees. On completion of the cooking class everyone joined together at Binh Quoi for dinner and a cultural show. This event was a great experience for the trainees and one they would remember for a very long time. As Phi from Class 1 said “it was a very good opportunity to talk to people from all around the world”. In addition to the experiences enjoyed by everyone, the event raised over $10,000 for KOTO Saigon. KOTO Saigon would like to thank Infiniti Events for organising the conference and all at Synovate for making the day so worthwhile for all concerned.
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