Australian Charity for the Children of Vietnam

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WHO WE ARE:ACCV was established after the Vidotto family went on a family trip to Vietnam in September 2006.

During their travels, they were introduced to a number of young people living in poverty Hanoi.

On their return to Australia they were determined to do something to help, and as a result the Australian Charity for the Children of Vietnam (ACCV) was born!

ACCV is a fully registered official NGO in both Australia and Vietnam.

ACCV does not receive government funding. 100% of all funds donated go directly to ACCV projects in Vietnam.

All administrative costs are covered by the Vidotto family.

WHAT WE DO…

ACCV is well established and over the past seven years has developed three programs.......

The programs are:

E.L.I.T.E. – English Language & IT Education for blind students

A Brighter Tomorrow – Educational & nutritional support for children living in poverty

Christine Edith Medical Sponsorship – for seriously ill children living in poverty

“Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much”Helen

Keller

ACCV was established to offer a hand up rather than a hand out.

Our goal is to empower those who are disadvantaged, through

knowledge and education to break the cycle of poverty.

We want to equip our students with the skills and desires

necessary to view education and learning as a means to improve

their own lives.

We believe in working together with a common goal of

empowering those less fortunate as the key to advancing a

community.

E.L.I.T.E - English Language & IT Education for blind students

ACCV’s English Language & IT Education (E.L.I.T.E) program for blind people was designed and implemented with the goal of creating employment opportunities for young blind people.

The first E.L.I.T.E program class commenced in May 2009 and is now running classes in five districts around Hanoi. ACCV works closely with management of the local blind association where classes are run.

The students learn English and computer skills to increase their job prospects in the future. They also develop friendships, personal goals and ambitions for the future.

E.L.I.T.E Story The Story of Quan…

Quan became ill at the age of ten and soon after he lost his sight. Unable to attend school, he sat quietly in a hut for more than eight years. His life was very lonely & isolated, with little or no potential for the future.

Since meeting Alison & Rose in 2007 Quan has become a student of ACCV ELITE program. He now has an active life in Hanoi, he works, he socializes regularly with his friends, and he goes to school.

ACCV has created a new and brighter reality for Quan, as well as many others.

The story of Hong…

Hong went blind at the age of 14 due to an accident. After a number of years confined to home in isolation, Hong was introduced to ACCV. She has come such a long way!

Hong is a very bright young lady and is an amazing young advocate for blind people all throughout Vietnam. In 2012 Hong went to Australia for three months to complete advanced Braille and IT training.

Hong is currently working with ACCV to assist other young blind people, she is also attending school in her quest to become a social worker.

ACCV goals for blind children

ACCV would like to develop a number of programs to assist young blind children in developing their skills from a very young age.

With an increasing number of young blind children without resources, education or social networks to nurture their development. There is an increasing need for early engagement activities for blind children.

ACCV would like to provide these children with access to education, rehabilitation and social networks to develop the skills necessary for them to reach their potential.

With a global perspective ACCV would like to develop the minds of these young children to empower them to take their place in community programs and activities.

Such programs would include training, education and social networks for parents of young blind children.

A Brighter Tomorrow

ACCV A Brighter Tomorrow programs works with individuals and families to break the poverty cycle using education and nutritional support.

ACCV works with many families, the majority of these families have been fractured in one way or another. Parents have died, absconded, become ill, incarcerated, sometimes all of the above...

The Brighter Tomorrow program sponsors young people through educational programs and on occasion will offer nutritional support to the family so the child does not need to work to support the family.

Families on the Brighter Tomorrow often become self sufficient over time and voluntarily withdraw from the program when their situation improves.

Our ultimate goal is to help others to help themselves.

A Brighter Tomorrow

The story of Thao…

Having grown up in extreme poverty with her mother Thao had always had the dream to become a doctor. She is a very bright young lady, even with the challenges of extreme poverty she has always enjoyed and focused on her study.

When we first spoke to Thao she discussed her reaction to receiving an offer to attend the university "at first I cried because I had been successful, and then I cried because I realised I would never be able to afford to go” ……

And thanks to ACCV, today I cry because I am so happy that I am going to be a doctor".

Thao has now nearly finished her medical degree and is being considered for a specialist cardiology program.

CHRISTINE EDITH SPONSORSHIP

ACCV has entered into partnership with the Vietnam Paediatric Hospital to provide financial support to seriously ill children requiring long term medical treatment.

ACCV sponsors the Endocrine ward in particular. The children suffer from diseases such as Diabetes, CAH, Brittle Bone etc. Unfortunately, these children are not receiving the daily medication required to sustain their health due to poverty.

As ACCV accepts children into the sponsorship program needs are addressed on an individual basis. ACCV is there to support the family on their quest for good health and basic medical care for their child.

The Christine Edith Sponsorship Program was named in memory of Alison’s mother, Christine Edith Moraghan, who was a nurse herself and always held children very close to her heart.

CHRISTINE EDITH SPONSORSHIP

The story of Duc…

Duc was diagnosed with cancer in early 2010. Duc’s parent’s are very poor farmers. After selling off the family animals and borrowing money, they still could not afford their child’s life saving medical treatment.

ACCV supported Duc and his family throughout the course of his medical treatment.

Duc has completed his last round of treatment and is now back at school, playing football and spending time with his friends and classmates.

COMPASSION, CARING, COMMUNITY

An important aspect of ACCV’s mission is to have compassion for the

poor and the sick in the community. At ACCV we believe that it is not

enough to feel sorry for others. We believe that we must take action

and do what we can to help and to empower the disadvantaged to

help themselves.

Our programmes are designed to develop our blind students so they

become knowledgeable, empowered young people who can think for

themselves and contribute not only to their own growth and

development but to the empowerment of others.

Knowledge, communication and respect along with education are key

to bringing about positive change..

Australian Charity for the Children of Vietnam (ACCV)

ACCV does not receive financial support from any government or corporate sector and must be self financing. Financial support comes from fundraising and direct donations.

Our goal is to help as many blind, seriously ill and underprivileged children as we can to escape poverty and improve their quality of life, through education and medical support. We strongly believe in helping them to help themselves.

Integrity, strong principles and values are the foundation to all ACCV programs. All financial records are fully audited by an Australian Government approved auditor.

100% of funds contributed go towards the work of ACCV, all administrative costs are paid by the Vidotto Group

ACCV – www.accv.net.au, accv@bigpond.com