Come join the Mam Non Organization volunteers, local adoption community, and Asian American community in celebrating this traditional festival. Besides the usual crafts and performances, we’re conceding to teen and pre-teen demand for their own program. University of Michigan volunteers will lead both groups on hayrides, the corn maze, and their own separate bonfire. We’re confident that the lantern parade is still suitably cool, though.:) We had 200 lanterns shipped in from Vietnam and they’re gorgeous at night!
Note that food and drinks will not be available for sale by Mam Non volunteers (except for mooncakes!). Some donuts and cider will be provided by the farm and beyond that, for sale by the owners. There is a seating area by the “Donut Hut” should families want to bring picnic dinners.
Register and order your mooncakes early by visiting http://moonfestival2009.eventbrite.com/. Questions can be directed to info @ mamnon.org.
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Friday October 2, 2009
6:30-9:00PM
6:45PM (Teen and Pre-Teen Meetup)
Three Cedars Farm
7897 Six Mile Rd.
Northville, MI 48167
- Mooncakes
- Crafts
- Lantern Parade
- Hayride
- Corn Maze
- Bonfire
- Facepainting
- Performers
- Storytelling by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang
- Breakdancers
- Pair of Bananas
- Volunteers
- University of Michigan
- Plymouth/Canton Asian Pacific American Club
- Mam Non GIFT Mentoring Program
- Families with Children from China - Ann Arbor
August 29th, 2009
Administrator
Uncategorized
Did you know that Mam Non has a mentoring program? GIFT, or Growing in Friendship Together, matches young girls adopted from Asia ages 8-13 with Asian American women, some of whom are also adopted. To run the program we rely on our Mooncake Fundraiser. Be sure to order your mooncakes by visiting this order page. Thanks!
“Fresh mooncakes are always met with surprise and delight. Most families buy commercial varieties. Our Chinese American baker attests to commercial mooncake boxes stacked floor to ceiling in Chinatown bakeries and personally avoids mooncakes shipped from China that are full of preservatives. Our mooncakes however are made in small, made to order batches, without lard, and locally at Eastern Accents. You’ll love them!”
Box of 2 Pineapple Mooncakes
$12.00
Each mooncake is 3.5″x1″, a box is over .5 pounds of goodness!
September 15th, 2008
Administrator
Uncategorized
Saturday, September 20, 2008
6:30-9:00PM
Go Like the Wind Montessori
3540 Dixboro Lane
Ann Arbor, MI
Limited space available, please RSVP by September 10th
Download registration and mooncake order form and please mail in with payment. Questions? Please contact Debbie at debsuecarr at comcast.net .
Hosted by Mam Non and Ann Arbor Families with Children from China (A2FCC)
September 3rd, 2008
Administrator
Uncategorized Events
February 17, 2008
1-5PM (Note Time Change Per the Church’s Request)
Our Lady of Grace Vietnamese Parish
19300 Stephens Dr.
Eastpointe, MI 48021-3433
- Hosted by the local Vietnamese American community, a great chance to meet several generations.
- Crafts and games, performances to be announced.
- All adoptive families are welcome.
The Church would like everyone to come earlier starting at 1:00, which would make it easier for them to accommodate the crowd with lunch instead of dinner. They are inviting Mam Non families to join them for a lunch buffet which will include:
- roast pig
- egg rolls
- rice and noodles
- Mam Non is providing juice and order 10 pizzas for the children.
Additional food can be bought for take away(sandwiches, eggrolls, etc.) but everyone should be pretty satisfied with the buffet.
There are no tickets, this is a private event for congregation members and this is the first time that they’ve invited non-members to join them. They are also not taking money at the door, please do not try to give it to them. They will be offended. Church members are not paying either. However Mam Non is asking that families donate to help with some of the costs and church renovations. Please donate what you can since this is an important impression we would like to make on the community for their generous invitation. We will present the entire funds in one check to the church at the event. Thank you.
Donations for much needed church renovations are being collected in lieu of admission tickets. Please send a suggested donation of $15 per adult and $10 per child to Mam Non Organization by FEBRUARY 1st.
Checks can be mailed and made out to:
Mam Non Organization
PO Box 130672
Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0672
OR donate online via PayPal
This is the first time that the Vietnamese American community has invited Mam Non families to participate in what is otherwise, a private celebration for parishioners.
A note for attendees to please be considerate of Vietnamese American politics that are anti-Communist and critical of the current Vietnamese government. Please refrain from wearing clothing featuring the current Vietnamese flag, or bringing the flag itself. The
pre-1975 flag is at the church.
Vietnamese Americans feel very strongly about this. It has taken our group over 6 years for the Vietnamese American community to not label the Vietnamese adoption community as being Communist. Regardless of your own family’s political beliefs, please consider that this sentiment comes from being persecuted and in some cases, imprisoned in re-education camps for 10+years by the Vietnamese government at the end of the war. Some parishioners fought alongside Americans for the South Vietnamese forces and escaped under horrific conditions. There is real trauma and pain so this isn’t a matter of ideology. It also crosses generations.
Please do not jeopardize this relationship between the adoption and Vietnamese American communities. Mam Non advises that families refrain from speaking about politics and take
the opportunity to share our mutual love for Vietnamese children and culture. Thank you!
January 10th, 2008
Administrator
Uncategorized
Join us as we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with the Asian adoption and Asian American communities! This holiday marks the end of the harvest season and is traditionally spent with loved ones to give thanks, eat mooncakes, and make paper lanterns. It is similarly celebrated in Vietnamese and Chinese communities although we have also welcomed families with Korean children. This is a great way to meet other folks in both adoption and Asian American communities. See you there!
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
September 28, 2007
6-8PM
Plymouth Cultural Center
525 Farmer Plymouth, MI 48170
RSVP with Debbie Carr-Taylor at debsuecarr at comcast.net or 734-667-4075.
$5 admission
- Storytelling by Asian American writer, Frances Whang.
- Incredible Inflatable Planetarium Presentation
- Ribbon Dance and Bamboo Dance.
- Chinese and Vietnamese Lantern and Papercutting crafts.
- Food available for sale includes mooncakes, Vietnamese “banh mi” sandwiches, and Chinese desserts.
- Cooking Demonstration - Vietnamese salad rolls and Korean kimbap.
- Breakdancing Performance
- Lantern Parade
September 4th, 2007
Administrator
Uncategorized
We’re doing something a little different this year by joining forces with local Asian American groups and co-hosting a Pan-Asian Lunar New Year celebration. We hope you can join us to celebrate the Year of the Boar!
Pan-Asian Lunar New Year
February 10, 2007
6-9PM
$5 admission
Greenhills School
850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
PRESS RELEASE
ANN ARBOR – Greenhills School will host a Pan-Asian Lunar New Year Celebration for the Ann Arbor community on Saturday, February 10, 6:00 -9:00 p.m.
Highlights include the Jai-Ho Chinese Yo-Yo Troupe from Taiwan which is currently touring the United States, and the Chan Tam Vietnamese Lion Dance troupe from Grand Rapids. Local performances from Greenhills School, King School, Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School, Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan will include Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Indian, and Thai dancing and storytelling. Food from local restaurants will be offered, as well as games, arts and crafts projects, and a variety of demonstrations and hands-on workshops.
Lunar New Year signifies the start of spring in many Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, Singapore, etc., and it has been celebrated in America over 150 years. This year Lunar New Year will fall on February 18. This will be the Year of the Boar.
Open to all ages. Admission is $5.00 For more information: (734) 205-4091.
Event sponsors include Greenhills School, Michigan Taiwanese American Organization, Mam Non Organization, University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies, University of Michigan School of Music Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments, Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School, Two Wheel Tango, IMDiversity.com.
January 26th, 2007
llama
Uncategorized
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival presented by Mam Non and Families with Children from China
October 7, 2006
Plymouth Orchards
10685 Warren Road Plymouth, Michigan 48170
6:30-8:30PM
$6 adults and children
$3 children age 3 and younger
Registration and checks must be received by September 25, 2006.
Registration form can be downloaded here.
Featuring:
September 5th, 2006
llama
Uncategorized Events
Saturday, February 4th, 2006
St. Paul Lutheran Elementary
495 Earhart Rd, Ann Arbor, 48105
11:30-2:00 PM
$10 adults, $5 children
Download the flier here and feel free to share with others!
RSVP by emailing Jen Hilzinger at jenhilzinger@mac.com the following by January 25th:
- Family Name
- Number of adults
- Number of children
- Children’s ages
- Phone number
- Number of lunches (indicate chicken or vegetarian, guaranteed by restaurant, MisSaigon)
* Crafts * Cooking Demo * Children’s Activities * Language and Culture Booths * * Adoption Scrapbook Demo * Adoption Agencies * Travel Agencies * * Performances *
Special Features:
- “Lunar New Year Traditions, Stories, and Music” presentation by Asian American writer, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang
- “Lixi Lessons” with University of Michigan International Vietnamese Graduate Students
- “Vietnam Tet Village” with Crossing Borders
- Vietnamese Dance by Crossing Borders
- Vietnamese and Chinese name pronunciations by local Vietnamese and Chinese-American community members
- Dance by the Ann Arbor Chinese Dance School
- Traditional Vietnamese lunch catered by restaurant, MisSaigon (sold seperately from admission ticket)
- Traditional lunar new year Chinese desserts and drinks catered by Ms. Shih-Wen Wu (sold seperately from admission ticket)
January 12th, 2006
Administrator
Uncategorized Events
Ethical adoption is an attempt to provide good reasons for moral judgments and values in the adoption process. Although we may agree that adoption is good, the means used must be equally good as the decisions made can have far reaching consequences for the adoption community. It is especially important to recognize this for adoptees who deserve clarity and truth in their adoption histories.
The following guide was compiled to assist potential adoptive parents in choosing an agency for their adoption from Vietnam. Contributors include social workers, adoptive families, and other adoption community members in the U.S. and Vietnam. We understand that most parents do not set out to complete questionable adoptions, yet newcomers to the process may not be fully aware of the issues involved.
While we might be attracted by agency promises of quick referrals, young children, and/or compelling photolistings, we should all be aware that this process requires strict scrutiny to protect all involved. Our goal is to empower adopting parents by helping you recognize the issues, learn how to research agencies and ask thorough questions. As Vietnam resumes adoptions to the United States, we are hopeful that the adoption community will make a commitment to promoting a system where birth families, adoptive families and most importantly - the children - are treated with honor and respect.
There is a lot of information out there. Hopefully, this list will help simplify your search, answer some of your questions and ease some of your fears.
Some additional articles can be found here:
Good luck on your journey!
How to Choose an Adoption Agency and Complete an Ethical Adoption from Vietnam
- 1. Check www.google.com and email listservs for your agency’s reputation. Don’t just rely on the agency’s website or positive testimonials since critical or negative experiences are often squashed through intimidation or lawsuits. Besides country specific email lists like Adoptive Parents Vietnam, check to see the agency’s reputation with their other country programs. Odds are if they’ve worked with unethical facilitators in the past then they’ll do so again unless there are guarantees otherwise.
- 2. Know the agency’s status with state social welfare agencies, better business bureaus, state attorney generals, and your local adoption group (FCVN, FCC, etc.). Expand your network with families with children from other countries as some have chosen NOT to adopt from Vietnam for various reasons. They might be able to share information that is otherwise hard to get.
- 3. Ask what the agency’s requirements are for in-country staff, what their professional experience is, and have it in writing (i.e., professional resume, C.V., etc.). (There have been cases in international adoption where facilitators as ill-qualified as taxi drivers or local hustlers were paid to procure children.) Are staff members contracted or employees of the agency? How are they paid for their work? Are they salaried or paid per adoption? Note that if they are paid per child placed, this can increase incentives for them to procure children or engage in questionable activities. Compare your notes with other families working with that agency. Also check for in-country staff names or a directory. Be aware of possible aliases. Make sure that your adoption contract states that the agency is responsible for the actions of the local partner and/or facilitator.
- 4. Check to see if you are required to bring cash in-country for “expedite fees”, financial gift giving, bribes, etc. to officials, orphanage directors, facilitators and other personnel. Ask if other families have been instructed to bring cash in the past. Understand that these practices endorse the idea that international adoption is a market of commodities, which increases the likelihood for corruption and victimizes all involved in the adoption triad. This fee should not be marked as part of an agency’s humanitarian efforts.
- 5. How does the agency confirm the child’s family history and reason for relinquishment? Are there any measures to fact check what is presented? Children have been known to have fraudulent paperwork with differing ages and reasons for relinquishment. Often this is confirmed by Western medical professionals, the children themselves (if older), and information from birthfamily post-adoption.
- 6. Ask which provinces and orphanages that the agency is working with, check that province’s history in Vietnamese newspapers (ie Nhan Dan) and international press (the BBC has covered past incidences on trafficking). Also, are children being directly relinquished by birth family or obtained from hospital wards?
- 7. Check the training and qualifications of in-country and U.S. based staff. What are their academic and professional credentials? Are they licensed social workers with BSWs or MSWs? Can any of the staff based in your country speak Vietnamese? Are they totally reliant on in-country staff? How familiar are they with the country, history, and culture? It’s important to refer to one family’s experience where their facilitator had no social work background, did not speak the language, and was actually a furniture refinisher.
- 8. The don’t ask, don’t tell policy has many long-term consequences for families and especially adoptees. Is this the agency’s approach when dealing with birth information, conditions, and relinquishment? Is their mission to “rescue” children or finding children for families, instead of more appropriately, finding families for available children? What is their matching process?
- 9. What is the agency’s long-term agenda in Vietnam? There have been agencies that have left the country, leaving families few options in following up on birth family searches in the future or getting the support when they need it. Has the agency proven its commitment in other countries?
- 10. Does the agency have teen and adult adoptee resources or support programs? The ones that do have a better sense of the long-term, some say lifelong, journey of the adoption triad. This perspective lends to better, more informed decision making by agency staff for all aspects of the program.
- 11. Can your agency accurately describe your experience in-country? What is the likelihood for surprises such as switch and bait situations or leaving without a child? If such situations arise, what would the agency do?
- 12. In what way does your agency prepare you for your trip? Will they prepare you for culture shock and possibilities such as attachment disorder, surprise medical conditions, and difficulties in communicating with your child? Are they realistic about complications and prepared to guide you through them? Do they offer educational materials or training for adoptive parents such as With Eyes Wide Open, by the Adoption Learning Partners?
- 13. Adoptive families pledge to maintain their children’s Vietnamese identity to the Vietnamese authorities. How does the agency support this and do they make it a serious priority? For example - are families counseled regarding transracial/cultural identity issues? Are families, living in predominantly white areas, advised of the challenges in maintaining their children’s cultural identity? Are issues of racism and isolation addressed? Are resources provided … or do all pretenses stop post-adoption?
- 14. Does your agency discourage you from joining email lists such as Adoptive Parents of Vietnam? This is a good clue as to how your agency limits important information.
- 15. Have children been adopted from your agency and then relinquished post-adoption to your country’s foster care system? There have been cases where this has happened, indicating how an agency has failed to relay accurate medical information and did not prepare or match adoptive parents with the right child.
- 16. How often does the agency staff travel to Vietnam and for how long? In what capacity do they assist adoptive families or do they rely mostly on in-country staff? It would be appropriate for them to be your family’s advocate when difficulties arise.
- 17. Double check translations in the country where you reside, preferably with qualified and/or trusted overseas Vietnamese peers who can provide reliable cultural insight and weigh the possibilities of false paperwork or unlikely relinquishment scenarios. Also double check medical records for missing pages and clues with a your physician or even better, with an international adoption clinic.
- 18. Never sign a contract without first having it reviewed by an attorney. Any monies paid to an attorney, at this time, is money well spent. You could stand to lose thousands if you don’t understand the “fine print.” Also, be careful if you are asked to sign a blank Power of Attorney. If the the Power of Attorney has more than 1 page, you should sign on BOTH pages to avoid unauthorized changes. Know your rights. Agencies have been known to make families sign waivers indicating that they will not sue the agency or contact a state representative should anything happen. This is illegal and a form of intimidation.
- 19. Does the agency have a refund policy should the adoption fail? What are their criteria for failed adoptions? Relinquishment in foster care post-adoption, failure to thrive, undisclosed medical conditions, not being able to bring a child home, etc.?
- 20. Is the agency willing to provide you with its financial records? Are they financially solvent and truly using their adoption fees in ways presented to the adoption community? What percentage goes to in-country expenses, distinguishing from their own personnel and Vietnamese government or orphanage costs, humanitarian projects, and overhead for U.S. based staff? When the fees are due? Be suspicious if an agency requires that all fees be paid up front. In many cases, non-profit agencies include their financial data at GuideStar.org. Do not hesitate to ask why their records are not otherwise available as most agencies are federally recognized non-profits and are required to make this information publicly available.
- 21. Always research a minimum of 3 adoption agencies. In this way, you can better educate yourself as to what’s “out there and available” regarding costs, services, reputations, and missions.
- 22. Interview former clients who have COMPLETED adoptions with the prospective agency. Treatment may vary depending on what stage of the adoption process the client is in.
- Ask these clients how the agency dealt with problems and if communication was open and forthcoming, particularly during trying times.
- Does the agency take responsibility for the actions of ALL of their staff?
- Does the agency offer support BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the adoption?
- Does the agency cease client contact when the last check is written?
- Who cares for the babies in Vietnam while they are waiting to be adopted?
- How long does the adoption process take and what is the time breakdown for each step?
October 26th, 2005
Administrator
Uncategorized Resources
Choosing which Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to donate to in Vietnam can be difficult. There are many organizations working on development and humanitarian projects from the mammoth World Bank to grassroot efforts like Co VN. Over the years Mầm Non has contributed to several efforts, working with groups that have dedicated and trained staff who go to great lengths to really make a difference. All too often charitable work in Vietnam can be overshadowed by personal egos, corruption, and poor management. However, if donors choose carefully, it can be quite a rewarding experience and an opportunity for adoptive families to see the results of their contributions on their next visit to Vietnam
Research
- VUFO-NGO Centre of Vietnam: A joint effort between the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and international NGOs, the center has a directory of groups working in Vietnam, forums on development or aid work in different areas (ethnic minorities, disaster relief, HIV/AIDs), and a handy page on working and volunteering in Vietnam. Donors can check to see if their adoption agency and or charity of choice are listed with the Centre.
- GuideStar: A directory of federally recognized charities in the U.S. with information on an organization’s mission, programs, and finances. A good way to check if adoption agencies and charities are spending money as promised to donors.
- Vietnamese American Non-Governmental Organizations Network: This is a coalition of over 100 Vietnamese American NGOS working in Vietnam and looking to make the most efficient use of funds and effort through collaborations and alliances. Through networking, groups can avoid reinventing the wheel and incidences where multiple groups will arrive in a village to build a school….unbeknownst to each other. Donors can check the participant list and keep abreast of annual conference outcomes.
Children
- Saigon Children’s Charities: Based in the U.K., U.S., and of course, Vietnam, this organization has been very successful in educating and training streetchildren. The staff are highly skilled, dedicated, and are very good at assessing project priorities. Intuitive initiatives include scholarships that also provide school uniforms, supplies, and kilos of rice for the children’s families. In this way they can focus on their studies and not have to work to supplement the family income. Check the website for their lovely annual holiday and Tet cards as well as email postcards designed by the children.
- Catalyst Foundation: Based in the U.S., the Catalyst Foundation was founded and currently directed by a Vietnamese-American, adoptive family. The group is a bit like your one-stop Vietnamese charity with programs such as scholarships for girls vulnerable to trafficking to annual culture camps in the U.S. They also offer annual aid expeditions to Vietnam which are great opportunities for adoptive families to visit the country and make a contribution at the same time. Adult adoptees have been known to participate. Check out Market Saigon on their website for good deals on ao dais and other goodies.
- VNHelp: Based in the U.S. and headed by Vietnamese Americans, this group has a great, long-term track record (est. in 1991) with a variety of projects. Most notable are the quick responses to annual floods and focus on education and healthcare for Vietnamese children and families. Also, they were able to successfully place streetchildren with foster families in Can Tho…a remarkable feat. Their fundraising events and musical shows are quite popular with the Vietnamese American community. Adoptive families in northern California might enjoy going.
- Project Vietnam: Based in the U.S., founded and directed by Vietnamese-American, Dr. Quynh Kieu. The group organizes several annual medical missions in partnership with a chapter of the American Pediatrics Assoc. and has been fundamental in healthcare policy changes in Vietnam (i.e. vitamin K for infants). The group’s focus on improving Vietnam’s medical infrastructure by training Vietnamese physicians and nurses. Also notable is the group’s ability to organize large numbers of volunteers and surgeries in a short period of time. Mầm Non director, Linh Song, participated in one mission and emphasizes the importance behind the group’s cleft palate surgeries. Through interviews with local families she learned that they were shunned by superstitious villagers who believed that the families had bad karma or bad luck. These surgeries not only were of medical importance but also of social importance for entire families. Adoptive parents and adult adoptees have been known to participate in missions.
- East Meets West: This sizable organization was founded by Vietnamese-American author Le Ly Hayslip about 17 years ago. Today they spend over $6million USD annually on efforts such as clean water projects, schools, hospitals, scholarships, medical and humanitarian assistance and a new project on anti-trafficking of women and children. Their staff includes well-respected and experienced development workers, the mission is to help build Vietnam’s infrastructure. This is a true institution and not an effort run by a handful of people. Adoptive families will find donations to be well managed and the group’s impact, substantial. The EMW quarterly newsletter is worth subscribing to for cultural articles and stunning photos perfect for scrapbook or craft projects.
- International Children Assistance Network: Based in the U.S. and led by a group of Vietnamese-Americans, ICAN provides assistance in Vietnam and to the Vietnamese-American community. This approach of connecting Vietnamese-Americans to homeland efforts is combined with cultural awareness programs, perfect venues for adoptive families. Their annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is a big draw as are their programs involving Vietnamese-American teens committed to community service. This is one non-profit where families from the greater Vietnamese-American and adoptive communities can truly work side by side.
- Lua Viet Youth Association: Based in the U.S. and mostly known for its annual summer camps for Vietnamese-American professionals as well its annual literary magazine, Lua Viet has provided assistance both in Vietnam and for the Vietnamese-American community. The group usually partners with other Vietnamese American NGOs and is known for its quick response to disasters (annual floods in Vietnam to Hurricane Katrina). Essays by adoptees have been featured in their magazine and submissions are always welcome. The magazine is published in mostly Vietnamese with some English, often seen in Vietnamese-American homes.
“Orphanages”
- Center for the Nourishment and Protection of Children, Tam Binh Village: Sister Hai is the former director of the Tam Binh orphanage which is currently under the jurisdiction of the Vietnamese government. A Catholic nun, Sister Hai has been a tireless advocate for impoverished and orphaned children since the Vietnam War and was instrumental in caring for many adult adoptees. Her work at the Center is based on traditional means of caring for this population, namely giving families a place to keep or foster their children until they are able to come into better economic means. Most of the children are not orphans, parents often visit, all receive meals and an education. There is no website but donors and visitors are encouraged to contact Sister Hai (she is fluent in French, can converse in English):
Soeur Huỳnh Thị Kim Hải
Nhà Tình Thương Xuâ Phương
157/6 Khiết Tâm-Bình Chiểu
Thủ Đứ - HCM City
maripre@hcm.vnn.vn
Tel: (084) 8967780
- Duc Son Orphanage: Another care center/”orphanage” with impoverished children, some handicapped, and some true orphans. Also a Buddhist temple, the center is based near Hue in central Vietnam. The head nun, Minh Tu, has worked tirelessly for children the past 18 years and has found the support of other charities and organizations: Ao Trang, NGO Foundation, Vietnamese Heritage Institute, an d Vietnamese American Culture and Education Foundation. Despite this, funds are always needed as there are always about 200 children being cared for at one time, some are orphaned due to live land mines leftover from the war. There is no website but donors can contribute to the listed supporters which are U.S., federally recognized charities. Prospective visitors can contact Nun Minh Thu at:
Chua Duc Son
Cư Chánh, Thủy Bằng, Hương Thủy, T.T. Huế
Đ.T. 84.54.865901
Fax: 84.54.865942
Email: chuaducson@dng.vnn.vn
Women
- Co VN: “Co” means “Miss” in Vietnamese, the group’s acronym also translates to “creating opportunities in Vietnam.” Based in the U.S., this new NGO focuses on self-reliance projects for Vietnamese women. Confucian traditions and poverty places a stronger burden on Vietnamese women and so this group’s focus is admirable. The founder and board includes Vietnamese-American women who are financial powerhouses, their experience instrumental for micro-credit loan and mentorship programs. This is a great way to address social inequities in Vietnam as well as vulnerability to trafficking.
- Marie Stopes International: A U.K. based charity, this group provides reproductive and sexual health information in the developing world. Notable efforts in Vietnam include a HIV/AIDs awareness campaign with mobile, women factory workers. Marie Stopes works in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health in developing family planning and better reproductive health services. With Vietnam’s rising HIV/AIDs rate and difficult access to safe contraception, this group’s efforts are as important as micro-credit loans since family planning allows poor Vietnamese women to control the cycle of poverty.
October 19th, 2005
Administrator
Uncategorized NGOs in Vietnam
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