blue dragon kids look ahead
Thanks to the contributions of many Intrepid travellers to Vietnam, last year we raised AU$32,940 for the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. Half of this amount was raised through Intrepid travellers and supporters and it was matched dollar for dollar by Intrepid Travel. Michael Brosowski at Blue Dragon has recently sent us an update of the marvellous work they are doing…
“Funds from the Intrepid Foundation have been critical in enabling Blue Dragon to run its Step Ahead program for street children in Hanoi. Our drop-in centre is unique in Hanoi; there is no other centre where any disadvantaged children can freely come to play, have a meal, and talk to social workers or psychologists. The centre is based in a rented building near the Red River, where thousands of rural-urban migrant families and children live in slums.
Staff at the Blue Dragon centre organise a wide range of games, activities and outings for the children who attend. Some of these activities are educational, while others are purely recreational. Popular activities include cooking classes, roller-skating, swimming lessons, and soccer tournaments. Many of the children who attend the Blue Dragon centre are seriously malnourished when they first arrive. To help them improve their health, we offer a daily, nutritionally balanced lunch, consisting of brown rice, meat and vegetables, dairy products, and fruit.
The Intrepid Foundation funding was allocated for the following purposes:
a) Renting a drop-in centre for street children in Hanoi: AU$14,000
b) Social and sporting activities for disadvantaged children: AU$10,000
c) Nutrition Program: AU$1,940
d) Employ two social workers: AU$7,000
Blue Dragon in Hanoi employs seven social workers and of these, now two are paid for through the Intrepid Foundation funding. Both are involved in outreach work, and both manage their own case load of street children. Blue Dragon is most appreciative of Intrepid Foundation support! Thank you!”
The Intrepid Foundation – travellers making a difference
Help support Blue Dragon and other great grassroots organisations via the Intrepid Foundation, plus find out how your donation can be matched* by Intrepid Travel!
* Donations will be matched by Intrepid Travel up to AU$5000 per donor and a total of AU$300,000 each financial year.
