Inspiring Program Visit to Grantee Partners in Hanoi!

Posted 25 April 2018 in EMpower News   |   Share

In early April this year, Gritt Richter, EMpower’s Senior Program Officer for East and Southeast Asia, traveled to Hanoi to visit EMpower’s 3 grantee partners; REACH, KOTO and Blue Dragon.

EMpower’s strategy in Vietnam focuses on addressing the issue of youth trafficking, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and decent employment for at-risk youth. Our 3 grantee partners in Hanoi are tackling these very issues.

REACH specializes in providing vocational training, career advice and job placement services for Vietnam’s most at-risk youth between the ages of 16-25. EMpower is supporting REACH to set up a Japanese lunch box and catering service to strengthen its vocational training program by linking classroom training to practical experience in a real work context, and as a means of gaining more financial sustainability in the long-term.

Similarly, KOTO provide access to holistic and vocational skills development, in a nurturing environment, where street children and at-risk youth can build their self-confidence and be empowered to live a life of dignity and independence. EMpower is currently providing operational support such as staff and leadership development to assist their strategic planning for the next couple of years.

The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation is the largest organization in Vietnam working with at-risk youth. Their work spans for key areas: domestic trafficking rescue and prevention, crisis intervention for street children and children with disabilities in Hanoi, school subsidy program for rural children and youth, and Project X, the rescue and rehabilitation of Vietnamese women from situations of trafficking in China.

It is always a remarkable opportunity for our Program Officer’s to visit grantee partners. We thank REACH, KOTO and The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation for their kindness and congratulate them all on their incredible work!