Ms Rebekah Thielemans - an Environmental Communications Mentor with GreenHub in Hanoi
Ms Rebekah Thielemans started a seven-month position as an Environmental Communications Mentor with GreenHub in Hanoi in May 2019. She works with GreenHub to develop their communications strategy and develop new networks and partnerships to extend GreenHub’s impact. This includes a significant focus on mentoring local communications staff.
Rebekah said that she had previously worked as a short-term volunteer in Australia. She added that Vietnam was the first place that she had long-term volunteer abroad. This helped her feel more deeply about the meaning and value of volunteer.
After working time in Vietnam, Rebekah feels that Vietnamese people are warm, friendly and open. There are many attractive tourist destinations and many delicious dishes that she wishes to explore.
After the end of her volunteer term, Rebekah still wishes to return to Vietnam.
Rebekah said that although she has never had an opportunity to experience Tet in Vietnam, she still know that Tet for Vietnamese people is an important occasion similar to Christmas Day in Australia. It is an opportunity for friends and family to meet. This year, she will enjoy Tet in Vietnam for the first time with her colleagues at GreenHub.
Mr Brett Simmonds started a 12-month assignment as Front of House Teacher Trainer at KOTO Training Centre in Hanoi in March 2019. Brett works closely with the Front of House trainers at the centre and assists in the curriculum update and lesson delivery plans. His assignment aims to update the current curriculum of the Cert III in Hospitality in partnership with the Box Hill Institute of Victoria, Australia.
In addition, Brett will support the Front of House Trainers in raising the standard of the lessons and the learning of the trainees. Evaluate the impact of all activities in relation to the improvement of the quality of teaching, strengthen class management of the trainers and help promote gender equality and empowering women through the current WEE Program.
Brett Simmonds - Front of House Teacher Trainer at KOTO Training Centre
Brett said he came to Vietnam six years ago and was so interested in this decision that he decided to return to volunteer. Sometimes it is difficult to communicate due to the language barrier, but Brett assesses that his Vietnamese students have been very hard-working and eager to learn to improve their skills and bring about changes in their lives. Brett hopes that his volunteer work will provide an opportunity for Vietnamese students to gain access to Western culture and learn from a professional environment.
As Brett’s feeling, Vietnam has great potential for tourism development and hotel quality improvement. Vietnam also has a lot of delicious food to hold visitors. This year, Brett said his family will enjoy Tet in Vietnam and visit famous places in Hanoi capital and Hoi An ancient city.
Michael (Mike) Stephens - a WASH Support Officer in Hanoi
Mr. Michael (Mike) Stephens, began a one-year assignment as a WASH Support Officer in Hanoi in January 2018. He works with ChildFund Vietnam on projects on improving Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in remote areas by working with local hill tribes and private enterprises.
Sharing about his work, Mike said that he had been in Laos for volunteer. Therefore, he felt very comfortable and no longer surprised when volunteering in Vietnam.
According to Mike's feeling, Vietnamese people are very open, enthusiastic and excited. He is proud that his skills can help ethnic minorities in remote areas of Vietnam. He expresses his wishes to experience the culture and travel to explore Tet in Vietnam.
Sophie Purdue - Program Development and Quality Assurance Support Officer in Hanoi
Ms Sophie Purdue starts a 12-month assignment with Plan International Vietnam in July 2019, in the role Program Development and Quality Assurance Support Officer in Hanoi. The role supports Plan’s monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, as well as program design and development - with a specific focus on gender and inclusion approaches.
Sophie said that this year, she is anxious to celebrate the first Tet in Vietnam because she has never experienced it. She will enjoy moments of fun with her friends and colleagues to discover more about the traditions of Vietnam./.