Care The People - ONLUS

I met Enzo as an Australian exchange student in Milan in 1976. Little did I then foreshadow that 'Care the People' in Danang would be the catalyst for renewed friendship over thirty years later.

Appreciating Enzo and Tam's wonderful hospitality, my family combined sight-seeing around Danang - to Hoi An, My Son and Hue, with activities that let us see at first hand the valuable work of Care the People.

My wife Susie, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, appreciated the opportunity to visit a district women's health clinic in a village west of Danang (photo 1).

Staying with Enzo and Tam, we learnt of the imminent closure (due to road-widening) of another health clinic supported by Care the People, and hence the construction of a multi-purpose new facility in front of Enzo and Tam's home (photo 2).

We appreciated being part of a pottery-making and beach outing with the children from House of Smiles, as described by the children at [link to http://www.carethepeople.it/news_dal_vietnam.html ]. Here are the children enjoying Hoi An's famous Cao Lau noodle dish (photo 3).

My family and I participated in the scholarship-granting ceremony for over 120 students in 2010. It was apparent what a big difference the scholarships make to the students' lives. Here are the university students, who have been assisted by Care the People donors for several years, receiving their scholarships from Mr Chiuoe, Vice-President of the Danang Education Association (photo 4).

Having now returned to Sydney, some Australian friends and I are hoping to offer English conversation tutoring to House of Smiles youth, using skype telephone link-up. A few minutes of conversation each week between native-speakers from Australia and students participating in the House of Smiles language classes could really help transform English from a complicated textbook subject into a passport for further education and opportunity. If anyone has expertise or interest in English language teaching through skype tutoring and would like to join our pilot project, please contact me.

David Robinson
robinsond@idx.com.au