Nelipot Productions

Having your own bicycle is almost a rite of passage for Australian children, but in countries like Vietnam such a commodity can be a luxury for a family, let alone a child.

In 2005, John and Liz Blaxell were fortunate enough to see the delight on numerous children’s faces as they were presented with bicycles through the Loreto Vietnam - Australia Program (LVAP). These children had made a rare bus trip into Ho Chi Minh City, from the Binh Chanh District 55 kilometres away, to receive their precious gifts. Some were so excited they made the return journey home on their new bicycles.

However, this project is just one of LVAP’s success stories in its 10 years of operation. Through careful planning and in partnership with the Vietnamese Womens Charity Association and the Education Department of Ho Chi Minh City (Special Education Unit), LVAP is currently involved in nine major projects – assisting over 3,000 children. LVAP’s absolute focus and emphasis is to assist disadvantaged, poor and disabled children – through education.

John and Liz were so inspired by LVAP’s work, they decided to donate part of the proceeds from their photography and publishing business, Nelipot Productions to help continue this important work. Below is an outline of LVAP’s work. For more information please contact Liz Blaxell at Nelipot Productions.


HO CHI MINH CITY:
“Sunlight House” – a shelter for street boys or those from difficult living situations. Firstly, by staying at the Shelter, valuable assistance is given to endorse each child’s health, self-esteem and sense of security. Then, in order to develop their educational/social skills, they are directed into schools within the locality of the Shelter. LVAP covers total running costs of Sunlight House. (New contract just signed until April 2009). LVAP also covers all school requisite needs, uniforms and school fees.

HOC MON DISTRICT (40kms) and CU CHI DISTRICT (60kms):
LVAP has constructed/equipped three rural schools and two kindergartens for very poor children in these countryside areas. Ongoing support is given by providing Scholarships, individual “School Packs” (school requisites), uniforms and additional nutrition. These projects are exceptionally sustainable and are a great ‘motivator’ for children to attend schools. Parents also come to realise the importance of ‘releasing’ young children from working in the fields – so that they can attend daily classes in all subjects. This increases the capacity of agricultural communities too.

BINH CHANH DISTRICT (55kms):
A very poor rural school in this District proved to be an excellent project ‘in tandem’. After three unusable/dangerously dilapidated classrooms were rebuilt, the Education Department of this village was able to make simple renovations to the other seven classrooms – as well as to build Offices/Teachers’ Room and a library for the children (a rarity in the countryside!!). LVAP also gives ongoing support for the children of this school through Scholarships and school supplies. LVAP has also purchased 300 new desks for the students of this school.

A sub-project which LVAP carries out twice annually at its rural schools is the distribution of new bicycles for the poorest children. Over the past two years, LVAP has distributed 300 bicycles.

SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (HCMC):
LVAP’s work in this project (since 1999) is seen as part of a process. Blind students/young adults are being taught English. For those already integrated into mainstream schools, this learning gives them additional confidence alongside their sighted peers.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: “SUNRISE SCHOOL” FOR INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED CHILDREN (HCMC):  In 2001, LVAP along with AUSAID, Australian Volunteers International and other donors constructed and equipped this school. LVAP has also carried out a huge Training Component process for Teachers/Carers/Parents.

In just this one suburb alone, Tan Phu District there are more than 1,500 intellectually disabled children. This Centre has an enrolment of 150 children. Most of them have never received any assistance for their disabilities. Their already-very-poor-families are ‘carrying’ them under exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Extreme poverty, high unemployment, under-employment and high rates of in-migration from outlying areas, characterises this District. Research shows that most families earn about US$180 per year.



Some information towards which LVAP's funding is channelled:

• “School Packs”: given once a year to the 1,000 children at LVAP’s rural schools. One uniform and all school requisite costs US $7 per child for one year.
• Cost of meals for one boy per month at “Sunlight House”: US$18.75.
• Complete coverage of schooling needs for one boy at “Sunlight House”: shoes, uniform, sports uniform/shoes, health/accident insurance, text books, school bag, fees, exercise books, raincoats, stationery etc – US$122 per year.
• Constant need for teaching materials at the School for the Blind. Funding towards Swimming Program/Music Program.
• Scholarships for the poorest students at LVAP’s rural schools – US$40 per year: kindergarten – US$65 per year. Scholarships for the poorest kids at the Special School – US$115 per year.
• Ancillary Costs for schools in rural areas: e.g. blackboards, maintenance (re-painting), furniture etc..
• Covering Specialist Teachers’ wages at School for intellectually challenged children: music, art and sport.
• Constant need for educational/rehabilitation/play-based equipment for Special School, musical equipment: library books.

Exclusively, all these projects emit life, a sense of growth, a spirit of positive movement and the development of individuals, families, communities, society and Vietnam.

PROJECTS FOR 2008:
LVAP currently has an enormous new project which is about to begin. It will build and equip a new campus extension to “Sunrise Special School,” which will be a learning environment with an emphasis on Vocational Training/Workshops skills for the older children. This will also free up ‘space’ at the original school to ensure the further development of the Early Intervention Program there. To “catch” the kids/families as soon as possible is a very positive factor towards their ongoing development. LVAP will undertake to train its current teachers to become the trainers of the new staff.