My wife and I just got home from lunch at a nearby vineyard. This was no ordinary lunch, however. It was sponsored by the vineyard and other local businesses on behalf of a marvelous organization called Koto.
Koto was founded by an Australian, Jimmy Pham, who visited Vietnam some years ago and discovered the vast numbers of street children whose futures are bleak indeed. So Jimmy did something about it.
Jimmy started Koto, a center in Hanoi where street kids can get off the streets and receive training in hospitality skills as well as general life skills. There is also a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Laura Bush has been there, as well as Jeanette Howard, wife of Australia's Prime Minister. Koto graduates are highly sought after by the major tourist hotels that are springing up in Vietnam.
At our vineyard lunch "Mr Jimmy" addressed us, as did one of his graduates, who now works in a responsible position at Koto. It was very moving, seeing this bright young woman who, but for the efforts of someone who wanted to make a difference, would never have stood a chance.
So, take a look at Kotos's website. And off course, if you just happen to be in Hanoi make sure you have a meal at Koto. Tell them the man from SPLat sent you :-)
