Mission Statement
The Vietnam Volunteer Network believes that all children should be able to receive the best health care no matter what social or economical background they come from.
Our Mission:
· To provide humanitarian aid & developmental assistance to various trusted orphanages & Agent Orange centres in Vietnam.
· To provide education and cultural exchanges that reflects the best qualities of all cultures & all ages
· To assist & aid land mine victims via reputable land mine agencies
· To ensure that we can aid the children & land mine victims via sustainable development & long term independence for those we try to help
VVN endeavours to help the children who are sick, disabled or afflicted with Agent Orange as well as the healthy but disadvantaged children.
Please give your time & your experience or involve others that could volunteer or help in anyway.
Our Mission:
· To provide humanitarian aid & developmental assistance to various trusted orphanages & Agent Orange centres in Vietnam.
· To provide education and cultural exchanges that reflects the best qualities of all cultures & all ages
· To assist & aid land mine victims via reputable land mine agencies
· To ensure that we can aid the children & land mine victims via sustainable development & long term independence for those we try to help
VVN endeavours to help the children who are sick, disabled or afflicted with Agent Orange as well as the healthy but disadvantaged children.
Please give your time & your experience or involve others that could volunteer or help in anyway.
CEO & Founder: Kim Nguyen Browne
With Nhut at Go Vap orphanage
My Vietnamese birth name was Nguyễn Sơn Thủy & I was one of the last babies to be flown out of Saigon in April 1975.
I was adopted by a lovely British couple who named me Kim Nguyen Browne (after Kim Novak my dad's favourite actress) & now reside & work in London, England. I also have an adopted sister who is from Thailand.
In 2006, I won a 'Do You Dare To Dream' competition at the company (Danone UK) I worked for &, I was given a chance to follow my dream & search for my birth mother, the people who helped me as well as my dream to help other orphans at the orphanage I was placed at as a baby - Trung Tâm Nuôi Dưỡng Bảo Trợ Trẻ Em Gò Vấp (Go Vap Orphanage) in Vietnam.
After volunteering at my old orphanage in Vietnam for 1 month in November, 2007, I completely fell in love with all the children, especially the sick, disabled & malformed ones as I was very ill when I was a baby. I just wanted to give those forgotten kids all the love & chances I have had in life, so I promised the children that I would return. I have kept my word by returning every year to volunteer at Go Vap orphanage. Since then, I have been passionate about trying to find other volunteers to help these children in need! I believe in Corporate Social Responsibility & also try to find other organisations as well as companies & manufacturers who can contribute to these children in a sustainable development manner.
On my quest to find information about my past; I have been honoured to have met many people who have been a huge inspiration to me. I am also privileged to have met other UK Vietnamese Adoptees & have also travelled to Amsterdam, Paris, LA, NY & Hawaii in 2009 & met other adoptees who were in a similar position to me. It was amazing & yet mysterious as to how Facebook was able to connect & unite all of us around the same period.
If you are also a Vietnamese Adoptee who was adopted during the American Vietnam War, I would suggest you contact the following sites:-
http://www.adoptedvietnamese.org
http://operationreunite.org/
http://www.vietnambabylift.org/
Together we can make a difference!
Love & light,
Kim xox
Kim Nguyen Browne
CEO & Founder
E: knb@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
UK T: +44 (0) 7813 112216
Skype: VietnamVolunteerNetwork
I was adopted by a lovely British couple who named me Kim Nguyen Browne (after Kim Novak my dad's favourite actress) & now reside & work in London, England. I also have an adopted sister who is from Thailand.
In 2006, I won a 'Do You Dare To Dream' competition at the company (Danone UK) I worked for &, I was given a chance to follow my dream & search for my birth mother, the people who helped me as well as my dream to help other orphans at the orphanage I was placed at as a baby - Trung Tâm Nuôi Dưỡng Bảo Trợ Trẻ Em Gò Vấp (Go Vap Orphanage) in Vietnam.
After volunteering at my old orphanage in Vietnam for 1 month in November, 2007, I completely fell in love with all the children, especially the sick, disabled & malformed ones as I was very ill when I was a baby. I just wanted to give those forgotten kids all the love & chances I have had in life, so I promised the children that I would return. I have kept my word by returning every year to volunteer at Go Vap orphanage. Since then, I have been passionate about trying to find other volunteers to help these children in need! I believe in Corporate Social Responsibility & also try to find other organisations as well as companies & manufacturers who can contribute to these children in a sustainable development manner.
On my quest to find information about my past; I have been honoured to have met many people who have been a huge inspiration to me. I am also privileged to have met other UK Vietnamese Adoptees & have also travelled to Amsterdam, Paris, LA, NY & Hawaii in 2009 & met other adoptees who were in a similar position to me. It was amazing & yet mysterious as to how Facebook was able to connect & unite all of us around the same period.
If you are also a Vietnamese Adoptee who was adopted during the American Vietnam War, I would suggest you contact the following sites:-
http://www.adoptedvietnamese.org
http://operationreunite.org/
http://www.vietnambabylift.org/
Together we can make a difference!
Love & light,
Kim xox
Kim Nguyen Browne
CEO & Founder
E: knb@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
UK T: +44 (0) 7813 112216
Skype: VietnamVolunteerNetwork
You can view my clip about my journey back to my old orphanage on the below You Tube clip, which was created by a journalist from NY.
Medical Researcher & Project Manager: Barbora Sollerova
Barbora Sollerova is a nurse in the UK & volunteered with the VVN at Trung Tâm Nuôi Dưỡng Bảo Trợ Trẻ Em Gò Vấp Orphanage as well as Tu Du Peace Village from April-May 2011.
We are honoured to have Barbora on board the VVN as a Medical Researcher & Project Manager. If you are a medical professional or manufacturer or wholesaler for medical supplies, please contact Barbora at barbora@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
We are honoured to have Barbora on board the VVN as a Medical Researcher & Project Manager. If you are a medical professional or manufacturer or wholesaler for medical supplies, please contact Barbora at barbora@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
German Project Manager & Representative: Patrick Looft
Wir begrüßen ganz herzlich Patrick Looft, der fortan unser Vietnam Volunteer Network in Deutschland repräsentiert. Wenn Sie Fragen zu einem Volontariat oder zum Spenden dringend gesuchter Hilfe haben, setzen Sie sich bitte mit Patrick unter pl@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com in Verbindung.
Translation
We would like to welcome Patrick Looft who will be our Vietnam Volunteer Network German Project Manager representative. If you have any queries about volunteering or donating much needed aid, please contact Patrick at pl@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
"I’m an adopted Vietnamese myself born in or around Saigon in 1972. Back then I stayed about 9 months in two orphanages in Saigon before I got adopted by my German mother through FFAC and Terre des Hommes - taken to Germany living a fortunate life with a great loving childhood and all chances there were.
In 2009 something made me go back to Vietnam trying to chase my past and roots as I started questioning everything I’ve done or reached so far and what I shall do in the second half of life.
I visited an orphanage (Phu My) and found the buildings which used to be the orphanages I stayed in (Ft. Pierre Olivier’s orphanage & church + ToAm). Travelling around Saigon and South Vietnam trying to find things I could relate to wasn’t easy at first but then actually at the end of my trip – on the last day… on a bus ride it hit me.
This was the time when all my priorities changed and I felt the need to give life more of a sense.
On the VAD Reunion in april 2010 and especially on the care day of VNN spending time with the kids of
Trung Tâm Nuôi Dưỡng Bảo Trợ Trẻ Em Gò Vấp Orphanage and later in Nha Trang I experienced how your network really can make a difference giving the children of Vietnam a better time and help in any ways. It felt like meeting the next generation of Vietnamese orphans and I want to help to let them have a better start in life and also give them the feeling to be loved and that the orphans from back in the days who were lucky did not forget where they came from…"
Translation
We would like to welcome Patrick Looft who will be our Vietnam Volunteer Network German Project Manager representative. If you have any queries about volunteering or donating much needed aid, please contact Patrick at pl@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com
"I’m an adopted Vietnamese myself born in or around Saigon in 1972. Back then I stayed about 9 months in two orphanages in Saigon before I got adopted by my German mother through FFAC and Terre des Hommes - taken to Germany living a fortunate life with a great loving childhood and all chances there were.
In 2009 something made me go back to Vietnam trying to chase my past and roots as I started questioning everything I’ve done or reached so far and what I shall do in the second half of life.
I visited an orphanage (Phu My) and found the buildings which used to be the orphanages I stayed in (Ft. Pierre Olivier’s orphanage & church + ToAm). Travelling around Saigon and South Vietnam trying to find things I could relate to wasn’t easy at first but then actually at the end of my trip – on the last day… on a bus ride it hit me.
This was the time when all my priorities changed and I felt the need to give life more of a sense.
On the VAD Reunion in april 2010 and especially on the care day of VNN spending time with the kids of
Trung Tâm Nuôi Dưỡng Bảo Trợ Trẻ Em Gò Vấp Orphanage and later in Nha Trang I experienced how your network really can make a difference giving the children of Vietnam a better time and help in any ways. It felt like meeting the next generation of Vietnamese orphans and I want to help to let them have a better start in life and also give them the feeling to be loved and that the orphans from back in the days who were lucky did not forget where they came from…"
American Project Manager: Christina Mai Pinkley Butler
‘I've known Kim since 2009, since then I have been able to see her VVN organisation grow and evolve to become something of a necessity to the welfare and future of the orphaned & also sick children who suffer from children Agent Orange. I've seen firsthand the hard work and dedication that Kim has single - handedly put into her dream of this Vietnam Volunteer Network. The volunteer staff that she has brought in has all been nothing less than top notch with the same love and dedication for the children that Kim shows.
As a Vietnamese adoptee, I too have dreams of helping the orphaned children of Vietnam and through Kim I can facilitate my dreams of helping the future of these children.
Please feel free to email me at cmpb@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com if you have any queries.
Always,
Christina Mai.’
As a Vietnamese adoptee, I too have dreams of helping the orphaned children of Vietnam and through Kim I can facilitate my dreams of helping the future of these children.
Please feel free to email me at cmpb@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com if you have any queries.
Always,
Christina Mai.’
American Representative: Christie Ton
When I volunteered with Vietnam Volunteer Network in August 2011, I knew it would not be the last time I would there. But ah, the financial restrictions and academic responsibilities of a medical student keep me from returning in the near future. I knew I wanted to do something more and get involved because this organization works for such a great cause. I begged Kim to make use of me and let me do something for VVN and the orphans. Of course, how could she say no to me? I am completely excited that Kim has let me on board and has given me a list of things to do for VVN. I hope that list of things to do continues to grow because this will give me the opportunity to work for the orphans in Vietnam even though I am not able to be there at this moment. It is a way for me to offer my time and help in other ways before I return back to Vietnam. I will continue to help Kim with this wonderful organization for as long as she needs me, and when she does not need me anymore, I’ll be sure to beg and squeal again.
If you are from the USA & also interested in volunteering at the orphanages to help these special children, please email me at ct@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com & I will send you an application form & brochure.
Thank you,
Christie
If you are from the USA & also interested in volunteering at the orphanages to help these special children, please email me at ct@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com & I will send you an application form & brochure.
Thank you,
Christie
Australian Representative: Kate Loring
My name is Kate Loring and I'm a passionate advocate for children's rights, welfare and education. As the proud new Australian Representative for the Vietnam Volunteer Network (VVN) I am looking forward to working with Kim Nguyen Browne, founder of VVN, to provide assistance and support to Australians looking to volunteer in Vietnam.
I have put my support behind the Vietnam Volunteer Network as it is an organisation that is dedicated to making a real, lifelong change to the lives of many of the “forgotten” children of Vietnam. As I am sure you aware, a large part of this involves recruiting and organising volunteers, so I will be providing my assistance to increase the VVN's capacity to continue networking with, and supporting volunteers.
I invite you to join myself, Kim and the other volunteers in helping us unite and continue to maintain a wonderfully passionate organisation that is dedicated to the well being of children throughout Vietnam.
You can email me at kl@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com if you have any queries relating to volunteering, donating or fundraising in Australia.
Sincerely
Kate Loring
I have put my support behind the Vietnam Volunteer Network as it is an organisation that is dedicated to making a real, lifelong change to the lives of many of the “forgotten” children of Vietnam. As I am sure you aware, a large part of this involves recruiting and organising volunteers, so I will be providing my assistance to increase the VVN's capacity to continue networking with, and supporting volunteers.
I invite you to join myself, Kim and the other volunteers in helping us unite and continue to maintain a wonderfully passionate organisation that is dedicated to the well being of children throughout Vietnam.
You can email me at kl@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com if you have any queries relating to volunteering, donating or fundraising in Australia.
Sincerely
Kate Loring
Vietnamese Representative: Huy Nguyen
Chào VVN, Tổ chức VietNam Volunteer Network đã hỏi tôi "Tại sao bạn muốn tham gia tình nguyện ?"Câu trả lời của tôi là mọi người tình nguyện với nhiều lý do từ mong muốn học những kỷ năngkinh nghiệm mới, có được niềm vui hay chỉ là niềm tự hào khi họ được giúp đỡ người kém may mắn hơn họ. Đối với tôi đó là sự chia sẻ ,tìm thấy được niềm hăng say muốn làm điều tốt cho mọi người. VVN đã giúp tôi nhận ra rằng tôi thật may mắn hơn bao đứa trẻ đang được VVN hổ trợ tại trại trẻ mồ côi.Và cảm thấy rằng mình nên có bổn phận đối với gia đình, bản thân và những người đã ảnh hưởng đến cuộc sống của mìnhbằng sự cho đi dù là nhỏ bé đến cộng đồng và đặc biệt là những em có hoàn cảnh khó khăn như là một cách để cân bằng cuộc sống. Tôi thật vui khi là tình nguyện viên dài hạn cho VVN cũng như đại diện cho VVN tại Việt Nam . Tôi hy vọng và mong chờ cùng các bạn tình nguyện mang đến những sự hổ trợ cần thiết cho các em tại trẻ mồ côi đặc biệt về tinh thần lẫn vật chất nếu có thể. Nếu bạn là người Việt Vam và có kỹ năng cơ bản tiếng anh với mong muốn cùng được tình nguyện với VVN, xin vui lòng liên hệ qua emailhn@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com Thân!
Dear VVN Members,The founder of the Vietnam Volunteer Network asked me “Why do you want to volunteer?”; my answer was that people volunteer for various reasons ranging from a desire to learn new skills, have fun or just simply for the pride of helping others less fortunate. For me, one of the obvious reasons why I volunteer is because I found something I am passionate about and want to do good for others. The VVN helped me realize that I’m very fortunate to live the way I do compared to all the children that the VVN supports at the orphanages. I feel that I owe it to my family, myself and many people who have made an impact on my life growing up to give something back to the community, especially the poor children, as a way to balance life's scales.
I am happy to be a long term volunteer for the VVN as well as a Vietnam representative. I hope and look forward to volunteering with you - foreigners & fellow Vietnamese in order to provide all the children of vietnam with the support they need , either emotionally or physically.
If you are Vietnamese & can speak basic English, please email me at hn@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com if you would like to volunteer.
Cheers!
Dear VVN Members,The founder of the Vietnam Volunteer Network asked me “Why do you want to volunteer?”; my answer was that people volunteer for various reasons ranging from a desire to learn new skills, have fun or just simply for the pride of helping others less fortunate. For me, one of the obvious reasons why I volunteer is because I found something I am passionate about and want to do good for others. The VVN helped me realize that I’m very fortunate to live the way I do compared to all the children that the VVN supports at the orphanages. I feel that I owe it to my family, myself and many people who have made an impact on my life growing up to give something back to the community, especially the poor children, as a way to balance life's scales.
I am happy to be a long term volunteer for the VVN as well as a Vietnam representative. I hope and look forward to volunteering with you - foreigners & fellow Vietnamese in order to provide all the children of vietnam with the support they need , either emotionally or physically.
If you are Vietnamese & can speak basic English, please email me at hn@vietnamvolunteernetwork.com if you would like to volunteer.
Cheers!
Director & Treasurer: Shreena Shah
Shreena is an ex work colleague & certainly knows how to keep our finances in check!
Thank you Shreena!
Thank you Shreena!
