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Vietnam Club
The mission and objectives of the Vietnam Club are:
• To raise awareness of Vietnamese culture in
Prague and the Czech Republic
• To raise awareness of Agent Orange victims in
Vietnam
• To raise funds for communities who help
support these victims
• To visit those people who have been effected by
Agent Orange
• To build leadership and to enable students
realize resourceful projects
• To enable students to acquire knowledge,
develop skills and social conscience, adopt various
means of collaboration for common cause
To empower the student body to raise awareness of the issues of the effects of war, and the
effects of healing by giving off time and money.
	
  
Vietnam Club began as Lucy Ha’s CAS project in 2010, and it has continued to sustain and
grow since then. It began with an idea, much enthusiasm, and a lot of faith.
Small events such as Spring rolls sales, Cooking class, Sapa trip were organized to raise
awareness of the Vietnamese culture.
Vietnam Festival, the biggest student-organized event at ISP took place twice in two
successive school years, gained great popularity and funds raised for Agent Orange exceeded
expectations.
The whole project has been rewarded with seeing raised money go directly to those they wish
to aid, serve and understand since every year student's leaders organize a trip to Vietnam. This
year students new and returning embarked on the third trip to serve in a community housing
Agent Orange victims. They have left significant testimonies below.
	
  
Being granted the CEESA TIECare award would be a boost to students’ abilities to aid these
communities further. As the student leadership is replaced every year, such financial aid would
provide very convenient starting point and motivation for new leaders and members of the
club. Winning the CEESA TIECare Award would mean recognition of significance of our
activities and thus would indirectly support sustainability of the project.
By	
  Kristyna	
  Duong	
  	
  
STUDENT	
  LEADER	
  2013	
  TRIP	
  	
  
	
  
My	
  Czech	
  name	
  is	
  Kristyna	
  and	
  my	
  Vietnamese	
  name	
  is	
  Le	
  Hang.	
  I	
  came	
  to	
  ISP	
  last	
  school	
  year	
  and	
  was	
  
very	
   surprised	
   when	
   I	
   first	
   learnt	
   about	
   the	
   Vietnam	
   Club.	
   I	
   was	
   wondering	
   why	
   in	
   such	
   international	
  
school	
  other	
  nationalities	
  didn’t	
  have	
  their	
  own	
  clubs	
  as	
  well.	
  Later	
  I	
  only	
  realized	
  that	
  the	
  school	
  life	
  is	
  
extremely	
   dynamic	
   and	
   depends	
   very	
   much	
   on	
   ambitions	
   of	
   individuals.	
   I	
   met	
   Lucy,	
   the	
   founder	
   of	
  
Vietnam	
  Club,	
  in	
  her	
  senior	
  year	
  and	
  admired	
  her	
  qualities	
  from	
  our	
  first	
  encounter.	
  I	
  could	
  immediately	
  
sense	
  her	
  energy	
  and	
  dedication.	
  The	
  most	
  praiseworthy	
  was	
  her	
  motivation.	
  She	
  had	
  enough	
  CAS	
  and	
  
still	
   wanted	
   to	
   continue	
   her	
   charitable	
   activities.	
   Her	
   vision	
   was	
   to	
   create	
   a	
   club	
   that	
   would	
   raise	
  
awareness	
  of	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  culture	
  in	
  Prague	
  and	
  at	
  the	
  same	
  time	
  would	
  be	
  able	
  to	
  raise	
  money	
  for	
  
victims	
  of	
  Agent	
  Orange	
  in	
  the	
  Friendship	
  Village	
  in	
  Vietnam.	
  At	
  the	
  beginning	
  I	
  thought	
  of	
  her	
  work	
  as	
  
inspiring	
  yet	
  a	
  little	
  doubtful.	
  The	
  proverb	
  “Charity	
  begins	
  at	
  home”	
  would	
  best	
  explain	
  my	
  doubts.	
  Why	
  
would	
  she	
  be	
  willing	
  to	
  pay	
  a	
  huge	
  amount	
  of	
  money	
  to	
  travel	
  to	
  Vietnam	
  only	
  for	
  one	
  week?	
  Why	
  
would	
  she	
  go	
  to	
  help	
  children	
  in	
  distant	
  Vietnam	
  when	
  Prague	
  streets	
  are	
  overflowing	
  with	
  beggars?	
  It	
  
took	
  me	
  almost	
  2	
  years	
  to	
  find	
  satisfactory	
  answers	
  to	
  these	
  questions.	
  I	
  was	
  carefully	
  observing	
  how	
  Lucy	
  
organized	
  a	
  huge	
  daylong	
  Vietnam	
  Festival	
  where	
  with	
  support	
  of	
  the	
  Vietnam	
  Club	
  and	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  
community	
  in	
  Prague	
  she	
  introduced	
  traditional	
  food,	
  enchanting	
  art	
  and	
  overall	
  culture	
  of	
  Vietnam	
  to	
  the	
  
whole	
  ISP	
  community.	
   A	
  lot	
   of	
  
money	
   was	
   raised	
   in	
   order	
   to	
  
fight	
   against	
   the	
   living	
  
consequences	
   of	
   the	
   Vietnam	
  
War.	
   Such	
   a	
   student-­‐organized	
  
event	
   was	
   never	
   held	
   at	
   ISP	
  
before.	
  Later	
  in	
  the	
  school	
  year	
  
and	
   for	
   the	
   second	
   time	
  
already,	
   Lucy	
   managed	
   to	
  
I	
   am	
   in	
   my	
   junior	
   year	
   now.	
   I	
  
just	
   came	
   back	
   from	
   my	
   first	
  
Vietnam	
   Trip	
   and	
   I	
   finally	
  
understood.	
   Even	
   though	
   I’ve	
  
been	
   to	
   Vietnam	
   so	
   many	
  
times,	
   only	
   after	
   the	
   whole	
  
process	
   of	
   working	
   with	
   the	
  
Vietnam	
   Club	
   I	
   could	
   view	
   my	
  
homeland	
   differently	
   and	
   I	
  
could	
   understand	
   what	
   we’ve	
  
been	
   actually	
   doing	
   and	
   how	
  
meaningful	
   it	
   has	
   been	
   so	
   far.	
  
Not	
  only	
  our	
  club	
  managed	
  to	
  organize	
  another	
  Vietnam	
  Festival	
  involving	
  even	
  wider	
  community	
  of	
  Prague,	
  
we	
  also	
  visited	
  many	
  unknown	
  places	
  including	
  another	
  center	
  for	
  seriously	
  disabled	
  people	
  in	
  Ba	
  Vi	
  and	
  had	
  
the	
  chance	
  to	
  see	
  people	
  who	
  couldn’t	
  survive	
  a	
  single	
  day	
  without	
  assistance.	
  There	
  is	
  always	
  a	
  vision	
  when	
  
you	
  start	
  your	
  project	
  but	
  you	
  can	
  never	
  see	
  the	
  outcome	
  until	
  you	
  start	
  running	
  the	
  marathon	
  and	
  until	
  you	
  
see	
  the	
  traces	
  you	
  are	
  leaving	
  behind.	
  Often	
  you	
  achieve	
  more	
  than	
  you	
  expected	
  when	
  you	
  have	
  your	
  eyes	
  
open	
   to	
   all	
   possibilities,	
   to	
   various	
   sources	
   of	
   knowledge	
   and	
   then	
   you	
   follow	
   your	
   strong,	
   sudden	
   urge	
  
saying:	
  “You	
  must	
  make	
  a	
  difference.”	
  
Vietnam trip 2013
From	
  initial	
  ‘raising	
  awareness	
  of	
  Vietnamese	
  culture	
  and	
  Agent	
  Orange’	
  we’ve	
  gone	
  much	
  further	
  to	
  the	
  
following:	
  
1. We’ve	
  introduced	
  the	
  beautiful	
  Vietnamese	
  culture	
  to	
  the	
  whole	
  school	
  community	
  and	
  also	
  raised	
  
awareness	
  about	
  the	
  social	
  issues	
  in	
  Vietnam.	
  	
  
2. We’ve	
  especially	
  engaged	
  the	
  Vietnam	
  Club	
  members	
  (about	
  30	
  students)	
  who	
  have	
  created	
  close	
  
relationships	
  to	
  the	
  issue,	
  who	
  continue	
  to	
  actively	
  contribute	
  to	
  the	
  club	
  success	
  and	
  have	
  gained	
  
enough	
  knowledge	
  to	
  able	
  to	
  spread	
  awareness	
  of	
  our	
  activities.	
  
3. We’ve	
  been	
  able	
  to	
  join	
  forces	
  of	
  students,	
  parents,	
  school	
  staff	
  and	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  community	
  
outside	
  of	
  school	
  to	
  hold	
  the	
  biggest	
  student-­‐organized	
  event	
  at	
  ISP	
  for	
  2	
  consecutive	
  years,	
  that	
  in	
  
both	
   cases	
   raised	
   more	
   than	
   70	
   000	
   CZK	
   for	
   charity.	
   Our	
   activity	
   is	
   now	
   known	
   even	
   outside	
   the	
  
school	
  community	
  since	
  we	
  invited	
  other	
  Prague	
  schools	
  and	
  wide	
  Czech	
  public	
  to	
  come	
  to	
  see	
  the	
  
Vietnam	
  Festival.	
  
4. We’ve	
   witnessed	
   and	
   experienced	
   the	
   life	
   in	
   extremely	
   poor	
   conditions	
   that	
   we	
   are	
   trying	
   to	
  
improve	
  by	
  giving	
  donations	
  and	
  voluntary	
  work.	
  This	
  year	
  we	
  used	
  35	
  000	
  CZK	
  to	
  buy	
  materials	
  and	
  
we’ve	
  built	
  60m^2	
  of	
  a	
  cement	
  playground	
  and	
  painted	
  a	
  meeting	
  room	
  for	
  children	
  in	
  the	
  Thuy	
  An	
  
Center	
  for	
  Elderly	
  people	
  and	
  Disabled	
  Children	
  in	
  Ba	
  Vi.	
  	
  
5. We’ve	
   developed	
   a	
   huge	
   sense	
   of	
   social	
   consciousness	
  after	
   realizing	
  how	
  well	
  we	
  live	
  and	
  how	
  
much	
  people	
  around	
  us	
  need	
  and	
  appreciate	
  our	
  help.	
  We’ve	
  brought	
  few	
  smiles	
  on	
  dejected	
  faces.	
  
6. We’ve	
   also	
   developed	
   strong	
   sense	
   for	
   cross-­‐cultural	
   understanding	
   after	
   experiencing	
   different,	
  
unfamiliar	
  yet	
  enriching	
  lifestyle	
  of	
  Vietnamese	
  people.	
  
7. We’ve	
  been	
  influenced	
  by	
  our	
  activities	
  in	
  a	
  sense	
  that	
  we	
  can	
  now	
  view	
  our	
  life	
  a	
  bit	
  differently.	
  
We	
   could	
   step	
   out	
   of	
   our	
   everyday-­‐life	
   box	
   and	
  received	
   new	
   impulses	
   for	
   contemplation.	
   We’ve	
  
grown	
  up	
  from	
  our	
  school	
  desks	
  and	
  walked	
  into	
  the	
  real	
  world.	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
I	
   don’t	
   dare	
   to	
   promise	
   too	
   much	
  
ahead	
  because	
  life	
  is	
  so	
  unpredictable.	
  
Honestly,	
   I	
   cannot	
   predict	
   how	
   this	
  
club	
   will	
   carry	
   on	
   after	
   we	
   graduate	
  
but	
   I	
   can	
   guarantee	
   that	
   the	
  
experience	
   we	
   obtained	
   from	
   this	
  
project	
  will	
  remain	
  in	
  us	
  forever.	
  We	
  
all	
   feel	
   the	
   need	
   to	
   share	
   our	
   gained	
  
knowledge	
   and	
   will	
   in	
   the	
   nearest	
  
future	
   create	
   a	
   documentary	
   movie	
   to	
   pass	
   further	
   the	
   priceless	
   wisdom	
   we	
   gained.	
   Some	
   of	
   us	
  
developed	
   strong	
   connection	
   to	
   the	
   residents	
   of	
   the	
   center	
   and	
   will	
   continue	
   donating	
   own	
   money.	
  
Memories	
  of	
  Vietnam	
  Festival	
  and	
  our	
  other	
  activities	
  will	
  stay	
  in	
  our	
  minds	
  and	
  hopefully	
  will	
  continue	
  
to	
  be	
  used	
  as	
  good	
  examples	
  of	
  successful	
  CAS	
  projects	
  for	
  future	
  students.	
  As	
  I	
  said,	
  there	
  were,	
  are	
  
and	
  will	
   be	
   different	
   students	
   at	
   different	
   times	
   in	
   our	
   school.	
   However,	
   if	
   an	
   idea	
   is	
   inspiring	
   and	
  
tempting	
  enough,	
  it	
  can	
  remain	
  flying	
  under	
  the	
  roof	
  and	
  may	
  in	
  the	
  future	
  pot	
  even	
  better	
  flourishing	
  
projects.	
  
Leaving a memory in Thuy An ...
 
By	
  Geraldine	
  Berouard	
  	
  	
  
PARENT	
  OF	
  VIETNAM	
  CLUB	
  MEMBER,	
  CHAPERONE	
  ON	
  2013	
  TRIP	
  
	
  
Honestly	
  I	
  did	
  not	
   know	
  what	
  to	
   expect	
   from	
  that	
  trip	
   to	
  Vietnam,	
   when	
  Ludivine	
   my	
   daughter	
   was	
  speaking	
  
about	
  it	
  last	
  year	
  I	
  felt	
  already	
  how	
  much	
  it	
  has	
  touched	
  her	
  and	
  how	
  much	
  she	
  was	
  insisting	
  about	
  doing	
  it	
  again	
  
this	
  year	
  ....	
  I	
  have	
  always	
  dreamed	
  to	
  go	
  to	
  Vietnam	
  as	
  I	
  love	
  Asia	
  and	
  when	
  Lulu	
  told	
  me	
  that	
  an	
  adult	
  was	
  
missing	
  for	
  this	
  trip	
  I	
  immediately	
  said	
  yes	
  I	
  am	
  going	
  ....then	
  6	
  months	
  later	
  when	
  actually	
  it	
  was	
  time	
  to	
  go	
  
though	
  it	
  was	
  not	
  the	
  best	
  moment	
  for	
  me	
  (	
  New	
  job	
  in	
  Paris	
  and	
  a	
  lot	
  to	
  do	
  at	
  that	
  period	
  ....)I	
  just	
  dropped	
  
everything	
  and	
  went	
  like	
  if	
  I	
  felt	
  it	
  would	
  be	
  something	
  important	
  for	
  me	
  and	
  lulu	
  to	
  share	
  ....	
  
	
  
We	
   arrived	
   first	
   to	
   Hanoi	
   before	
   the	
   group	
   and	
  
had	
   a	
   little	
   bit	
   of	
   time	
   to	
   adapt	
   to	
   Vietnam	
  
weather	
  quite	
  humid	
  and	
  rainy	
  at	
  this	
  period	
  of	
  
the	
   year,	
   the	
   noise	
   and	
   the	
   circulation	
   in	
   Hanoi	
  
made	
   me	
   immediately	
   feel,"	
   Here	
   we	
   are	
   it	
   is	
  
Vietnam	
  ...	
  
After	
   one	
   day	
   in	
   half	
   in	
   Ha	
   Long	
   Bay	
   which	
   is	
  
though	
   quite	
   touristy	
   as	
   beautiful	
   as	
   one	
   can	
  
imagine	
  -­‐	
  the	
  blurry	
  weather	
  made	
  it	
  even	
  appear	
  
more	
  mysterious...We	
  finally	
  took	
   the	
  bus	
   to	
  go	
  
to	
  the	
  village	
  situated	
  at	
  one	
  hour	
  and	
  half	
  from	
  
Hanoi	
   ,	
  the	
   arrival	
   in	
   the	
  hotel	
   by	
   a	
   very	
   humid	
  
day	
  made	
  everything	
  wet	
  and	
  the	
  floor	
  was	
  never	
  
drying	
  ....	
  
	
  
	
  
We	
   arrived	
   in	
   the	
   village	
   in	
   beginning	
   of	
   afternoon	
   and	
   were	
  
welcomed	
  by	
  the	
  director,	
  who	
  informed	
  us	
  that	
  they	
  receive	
  very	
  
little	
   help	
   and	
   that	
   this	
   is	
   the	
   first	
   time	
   that	
   they	
   receive	
   such	
   a	
  
generous	
  one	
  ,	
  he	
  had	
  established	
  a	
  program	
  for	
  us	
  to	
  improve	
  the	
  
facilities	
  (	
  concrete	
  floor	
  to	
  improve	
  the	
  playground	
  and	
  repainting	
  
completely	
  the	
  big	
  meeting	
  room	
  where	
  all	
  children	
  are	
  gathering	
  
and	
  also	
  visit	
  to	
  the	
  children	
  and	
  help	
  taking	
  care	
  about	
  them).	
  He	
  
made	
  us	
  visit	
  the	
  center	
  and	
  brought	
  us	
  in	
  the	
  rooms	
  where	
  small	
  
children	
   are...	
  
i	
  must	
  say	
  that	
  the	
  first	
  contact	
  with	
  the	
  children	
  was	
  very	
  hard	
  ,	
  so	
  
many	
   strongly	
   disabled	
   children	
   (	
   they	
   are	
   more	
   than	
   300	
   in	
   the	
  
village)	
  and	
  they	
  all	
  looked	
  so	
  much	
  smaller	
  than	
  their	
  age	
  .	
  This	
  
little	
  girl	
  which	
  I	
  thought	
  was	
  2	
  
years	
   old	
   I	
   was	
   later	
   informed	
  
she	
   was	
   7	
   years	
   old.	
   The	
  
director	
   was	
   very	
   proud	
   to	
  
inform	
   us	
   that	
   they	
   cultivate	
  
their	
  own	
  vegetable	
  to	
  feed	
  the	
  
kids	
  because	
  the	
  allowance	
  per	
  
kid	
   is	
   so	
   small	
   that	
   it	
   is	
   not	
  
sufficient	
  enough	
  for	
  alimentation.	
  in	
  reality	
  we	
  could	
  see	
  later	
  on	
  
that	
   their	
   daily	
   meal	
   always	
   the	
   same	
   is	
   rice	
   with	
   little	
   bit	
   of	
  
cabbage	
  ...	
  
 
The	
  day	
  after	
  We	
  were	
  asked	
  which	
  help	
  we	
  prefer	
  to	
  do	
  and	
  I	
  went	
  to	
  take	
  care	
  of	
  the	
  children	
  and	
  little	
  
babies,	
  they	
  welcomed	
  us	
  with	
  lots	
  of	
  shyness	
  but	
  very	
  quickly	
  they	
  asked	
  for	
  attention	
  and	
  would	
  not	
  
leave	
  our	
  arms.	
  I	
  felt	
  how	
  much	
  they	
  need	
  care	
  and	
  love	
  but	
  what	
  surprised	
  me	
  a	
  lot	
  is	
  how	
  much	
  all	
  the	
  
students	
  have	
  been	
  immediately	
  involved	
  and	
  caring	
  with	
  the	
  children,	
  spending	
  hours	
  with	
  them	
  and	
  this	
  
can	
  quickly	
  become	
  very	
  tiring	
  as	
  children	
  are	
  very	
  demanding	
  	
  
What	
  a	
  beautiful	
  experience	
  on	
  both	
  sides	
  and	
  among	
  our	
  group	
  of	
  young	
  students	
  you	
  could	
  feel	
  that	
  it	
  
was	
  hard	
  but	
  so	
  strong	
  !	
  in	
  the	
  end	
  of	
  afternoon	
  we	
  all	
  went	
  to	
  the	
  supermarket	
  to	
  buy	
  extra	
  diapers,	
  milk,	
  
toys	
  and	
  colouring	
  pens	
  for	
  the	
  kids	
  because	
  we	
  felt	
  they	
  were	
  missing	
  everything....	
  
	
  
The	
  experience	
  I	
  enjoyed	
  the	
  most	
  is	
  when	
  with	
  an	
  English	
  lady	
  who	
  was	
  there	
  we	
  started	
  to	
  give	
  painting	
  
and	
  drawing	
  lessons	
  to	
  some	
  of	
  the	
  disabled	
  children	
  ,	
  and	
  I	
  will	
  always	
  remember	
  this	
  little	
  girl	
  who	
  every	
  
time	
  she	
  was	
  drawing	
  a	
  bit	
  was	
  looking	
  at	
  me	
  so	
  proudly	
  and	
  with	
  such	
  a	
  big	
  smile	
  and	
  this	
  other	
  boy	
  who	
  
then	
   decided	
   to	
   decorate	
   his	
   bedroom	
   and	
   all	
   his	
   quarter	
   with	
   his	
   drawings,	
   one	
   of	
   the	
   girl	
   was	
   very	
  
talented	
  she	
  was	
  always	
  drawing	
  in	
  black	
  and	
  white	
  and	
  portraits	
  ,	
  what	
  surprise	
  when	
  suddenly	
  she	
  came	
  
to	
  me	
  and	
  said	
  this	
  is	
  for	
  you	
  it	
  is	
  you	
  giving	
  me	
  my	
  portrait!	
  
We	
  decided	
  the	
  next	
  morning	
  to	
  draw	
  with	
  the	
  smallest	
  ones	
  in	
  the	
  section	
  of	
  children	
  just	
  abandoned	
  and	
  
not	
  disabled.	
  Here	
  again	
  so	
  much	
  joy	
  and	
  excitement!	
  
	
  
After	
  this	
  week	
  with	
  all	
  these	
  disabled	
  or	
  abandoned	
  children,	
  I	
  will	
  never	
  be	
  the	
  same	
  person,	
  and	
  I	
  really	
  
wish	
   I	
   can	
   keep	
   helping	
   them	
   and	
   specifically	
   would	
   love	
   helping	
   them	
   get	
   educated,	
   stimulated	
   and	
  
progress	
  in	
  life	
  as	
  much	
  as	
  they	
  are	
  able	
  to....	
  It	
  has	
  been	
  such	
  a	
  strong	
  human	
  experience	
  that	
  I	
  enjoyed	
  so	
  
much	
  to	
  share	
  with	
  my	
  daughter	
  Ludivine	
  and	
  her	
  friends.	
  
And	
  a	
  specific	
  thought	
  to	
  little	
  Gaya	
  and	
  Suan	
  that	
  with	
  Lulu	
  we	
  would	
  really	
  have	
  loved	
  to	
  take	
  back	
  with	
  
us,	
  for	
  sure	
  we	
  will	
  not	
  forget	
  them	
  and	
  would	
  love	
  to	
  see	
  them	
  grow	
  and	
  get	
  educated	
  and	
  have	
  a	
  chance	
  
to	
  do	
  something	
  of	
  their	
  life	
  rather	
  than	
  spend	
  all	
  their	
  life	
  in	
  the	
  village.	
  	
  
	
  
A	
  special	
  to	
  Kristyna	
  who	
  organized	
  this	
  whole	
  trip	
  very	
  professionally	
  and	
  to	
  the	
  whole	
  group	
  who	
  has	
  
been	
  so	
  responsible	
  and	
  caring	
  and	
  as	
  well	
  as	
  to	
  our	
  guide	
  who	
  has	
  been	
  so	
  dedicated.	
  
	
  
	
  
By	
  Louisa	
  Kuehme	
  
VIETNAM	
  CLUB	
  MEMBER	
  SINCE	
  2010	
  
	
  
Vietnam.	
   A	
   country	
   I	
   am	
   so	
   engaged	
   with,	
  
although	
   it	
   is	
   so	
   far	
   away	
   from	
   my	
   home.	
  
Why?	
  I	
  will	
  try	
  to	
  summarize.	
  I	
  have	
  been	
  a	
  
member	
   of	
   the	
   Vietnam	
   Club	
   from	
   its	
   very	
  
first	
  weeks	
  (almost	
  3	
  years	
  ago)	
  until	
  today.	
  
And	
   I	
   have	
   experienced	
   a	
   movement.	
   A	
   lot	
   of	
   students	
   of	
   different	
  
ages	
   and	
   many	
   different	
   nationalities	
   got	
   together	
   to	
   organize	
   the	
  
Vietnam	
  Festival,	
  which	
  was	
  a	
  great	
  success.	
  Two	
  years	
  in	
  a	
  row.	
  The	
  
club	
  has	
  always	
  had	
  strong	
  leaders.	
  Lucy,	
  the	
  founder	
  of	
  the	
  Vietnam	
  
Club,	
  organized	
  much	
  by	
  herself	
  in	
  the	
  first	
  year.	
  When	
  she	
  graduated	
  
she	
  was	
  surprised	
  how	
  passionate	
   we	
  were	
   to	
   continue	
   her	
  project.	
  
The	
  club	
  was	
  taken	
  over	
  and	
  even	
  more	
  Upper	
  School	
  students	
  joined.	
  
After	
   the	
   school	
   rejected	
   our	
   proposal	
   for	
   a	
   second	
   school	
   trip	
   to	
  
Vietnam,	
   we	
   decided	
   to	
   not	
   give	
   up	
   but	
   rather	
   to	
   plan	
   the	
   trip	
  
ourselves.	
  
And	
  it	
  was	
  worth	
  it.	
  Going	
  to	
  the	
  center	
  for	
  elderlies	
  and	
  disabled	
  children	
  in	
  Ba	
  Vi,	
  Hanoi	
  is	
  an	
  experience	
  
that	
  I	
  do	
  not	
  want	
  to	
  miss.	
  Today,	
  the	
  trip	
  is	
  not	
  just	
  a	
  memory.	
  It	
  changed	
  my	
  way	
  of	
  thinking.	
  What	
  if	
  life	
  is	
  
not	
  about	
  going	
  to	
  the	
  best	
  university	
  and	
  later	
  earning	
  the	
  most	
  money	
  possible?	
  What	
  if	
  you	
  could	
  make	
  a	
  
child	
  happy	
  every	
  day	
  by	
  just	
  one	
  touch?	
  What	
  if	
  you	
  could	
  feed	
  20	
  children	
  instead	
  of	
  buying	
  that	
  new	
  pair	
  
of	
  shoes?	
  Although	
  our	
  donations	
  barely	
  improved	
  the	
  overall	
  living	
  conditions,	
  it	
  is	
  the	
  most	
  we	
  could	
  do	
  
during	
  our	
  short	
  stay.	
  It	
  is	
  not	
  our	
  donations	
  that	
  come	
  to	
  my	
  mind	
  when	
  thinking	
  of	
  our	
  Vietnam	
  trip.	
  It	
  is	
  
the	
  smile	
  on	
  the	
  children’s	
  faces	
  when	
  being	
  paid	
  attention	
  to	
  that	
  I	
  picture.	
  It	
  is	
  that	
  moment	
  when	
  a	
  2-­‐year-­‐
old	
  comes	
  running	
  to	
  you	
  and	
  throws	
  himself	
  into	
  your	
  arms	
  because	
  he	
  is	
  happy	
  to	
  see	
  you.	
  See	
  someone	
  
who	
  gives	
  him	
  the	
  love	
  he	
  is	
  usually	
  missing.	
  Considering	
  that	
  I	
  am	
  just	
  a	
  high	
  school	
  student,	
  the	
  fact	
  that	
  I	
  
have	
  put	
  myself	
  out	
  there,	
  like	
  everyone	
  else	
  who	
  has	
  travelled	
  to	
  Vietnam	
  in	
  the	
  past	
  three	
  years,	
  and	
  have	
  
developed	
  an	
  understanding	
  of	
  how	
  it	
  is	
  to	
  be	
  poor,	
  of	
  how	
  to	
  behave	
  with	
  the	
  disabled	
  and	
  of	
  how	
  one	
  can	
  
really	
  make	
  a	
  difference,	
  makes	
  me	
  be	
  thankful.	
  Thankful	
  for	
  what	
  I	
  have	
  and	
  for	
  what	
  I	
  was	
  allowed	
  to	
  give.	
  
For	
  the	
  Ba	
  Vi	
  center,	
  the	
  $1500	
  dollars	
  we	
  donated	
  was	
  the	
  biggest	
  donation	
  by	
  volunteers	
  in	
  5	
  years.	
  The	
  
government	
  cut	
  down	
  their	
  budget	
  for	
  this	
  center	
  by	
  20%	
  in	
  the	
  past	
  few	
  years.	
  Each	
  person	
  in	
  the	
  center	
  
lives	
  of	
  1-­‐2	
  dollars	
  a	
  day.	
  And	
  then	
  there	
  is	
  us,	
  a	
  group	
  of	
  students	
  from	
  the	
  International	
  School	
  of	
  Prague.	
  
Now	
  even	
  more	
  eager	
  to	
  help.	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  	
  	
  	
  
by	
  Suhko	
  Moon	
  
STUCO	
  PRESIDENT	
  AT	
  ISP	
  FOR	
  2012/2013	
  
	
  
"The	
   Vietnam	
   Club	
   is	
   one	
   of	
   the	
   most	
   successful	
   student-­‐led	
   organizations.	
   Throughout	
   the	
   year,	
   the	
  
members	
  have	
  come	
  together	
  and	
  brought	
  out	
  huge	
  achievements.	
  For	
  instance,	
  by	
  selling	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  
food,	
  such	
  as	
  spring	
  rolls,	
  the	
  group	
  do	
  not	
  only	
  fundraise	
  to	
  help	
  the	
  local	
  Vietnamese	
  community	
  in	
  a	
  
poor	
   condition,	
   but	
   also	
   spread	
   the	
   Vietnamese	
   culture	
   in	
   the	
   entire	
   school.	
   Especially,	
   the	
   trip	
   to	
   the	
  
community	
   is	
   absolutely	
   impressive,	
   as	
   it	
   shares	
   values	
   of	
   community	
   service	
   and	
   encourages	
   other	
  
students	
  to	
  participate	
  in	
  similar	
  service	
  activities.	
  In	
  a	
  variety	
  of	
  aspects,	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  club	
  has	
  enriched	
  
cultural,	
  humanitarian	
  education	
  in	
  the	
  international	
  school,	
  and	
  I	
  am	
  confident	
  that	
  the	
  club	
  will	
  continue	
  
the	
  contribution	
  successfully."	
  
	
  
	
  
by	
  Veronika	
  Jouklova	
  
SENIOR	
  ISP	
  STUDENT	
  
	
  
"I	
  think	
  that	
  what	
  VT	
  club	
  does	
  helps	
  to	
  educate	
  local	
  students	
  and	
  public	
  as	
  they	
  raise	
  awareness	
  about	
  
the	
  current	
  situation	
  in	
  parts	
  of	
  Vietnam.	
  Also	
  they	
  "adopted"	
  kids	
  from	
  a	
  small	
  vilage	
  in	
  Vietnam,	
  which	
  I	
  
find	
  very	
  meritorious.	
  Money	
  they	
  raise	
  helps	
  those	
  who	
  need	
  it.	
  And	
  their	
  springrolls	
  are	
  delicious!"	
  
	
  
	
  
by	
  Sebastian	
  Matts	
  
JUNIOR	
  ISP	
  STUDENT	
  
	
  
"The	
  Vietnam	
  club	
  has	
  a	
  very	
  large	
  influence	
  on	
  the	
  ISP	
  community	
  in	
  ways	
  of	
  showing	
  their	
  culture,	
  food	
  
and	
  inviting	
  all	
  of	
  the	
  community	
  to	
  be	
  a	
  part	
  of	
  it.	
  They	
  also	
  made	
  a	
  trip	
  to	
  Vietnam	
  founded	
  by	
  students,	
  
they	
  made	
  this	
  trip	
  to	
  help	
  children	
  affected	
  by	
  Vietnam	
  War	
  but	
  also	
  captured	
  this	
  moment	
  and	
  are	
  going	
  
to	
  show	
  it	
  the	
  community	
  to	
  increase	
  awareness.	
  The	
  people	
  part	
  of	
  the	
  Vietnam	
  club	
  have	
  put	
  down	
  a	
  
great	
  deal	
  of	
  time	
  and	
  effort	
  and	
  they	
  have	
  really	
  made	
  a	
  difference	
  in	
  my	
  understanding	
  of	
  Vietnam	
  and	
  
for	
  the	
  rest	
  of	
  the	
  community."	
  
	
  
	
  
by	
  Bui	
  Thi	
  Thuy	
  Van	
  
One	
  of	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  dancers	
  from	
  outside	
  of	
  school	
  invited	
  to	
  perform	
  at	
  the	
  festival	
  
	
  
"I'm	
  open	
  to	
  any	
  experience	
  that	
  will	
  help	
  me	
  repeatedly	
  explore	
  the	
  magic	
  of	
  life,	
  magic	
  of	
  the	
  world	
  and	
  
the	
  richness	
  it	
  offers	
  to	
  us.	
  The	
  Vietnam	
  festival	
  captivated	
  me	
  as	
  in	
  the	
  role	
  of	
  a	
  Vietnamese	
  student	
  in	
  the	
  
Czech	
  Republic.	
  It	
  allowed	
  me	
  to	
  see	
  the	
  world	
  with	
  a	
  certain	
  detached	
  view.	
  Specifically,	
  the	
  activity	
  of	
  
students	
   itself	
   allowed	
   it	
   to	
   happen	
   along	
   with	
   deep	
   thoughts	
   of	
   guests	
   that	
   were	
   visible	
   from	
   their	
  
response	
  to	
  the	
  event,	
  which	
  I	
  shared	
  as	
  well.	
  Individual	
  performances	
  aroused	
  a	
  feeling	
  that	
  there	
  were	
  
people	
  who	
  were	
  trying	
  to	
  expand	
  the	
  knowledge	
  about	
  our	
  culture;	
  blissful	
  feeling.	
  Of	
  course	
  I	
  cannot	
  
omit	
   to	
   praise	
   the	
   festival	
   from	
   the	
   aesthetical	
   point	
   of	
   view	
   and	
   also	
   creativity	
   of	
   students:	
   "You	
   are	
  
number	
  ones!".	
  Not	
  for	
  a	
  moment	
  I	
  regretted	
  my	
  presence	
  at	
  the	
  festival.	
  Bounteous	
  feast	
  became	
  the	
  
icing	
  on	
  the	
  cake	
  for	
  those	
  with	
  a	
  sweet	
  tooth	
  and	
  hungry	
  bellies	
  like	
  me.	
  The	
  Vietnam	
  festival	
  has	
  turned	
  
into	
   an	
   event	
   I	
   will	
   be	
   looking	
   forward	
   to	
   every	
   year.	
   Thus,	
   I	
   hope	
   that	
   ISP	
   students	
   will	
   keep	
   actively	
  
participating	
  in	
  organizing	
  such	
  events."	
  (Translation	
  from	
  Czech)	
  
	
  
 
by	
  Karen	
  Ercolino	
  
IB	
  COORDINATOR	
  FOR	
  ISP	
  
	
  
"In	
  my	
  time	
  here	
  at	
  ISP,	
  I	
  consider	
  the	
  Vietnam	
  Club	
  to	
  be	
  the	
  most	
  ambitious	
  and	
  successful	
  student	
  projects	
  
I	
  have	
  seen.	
  This	
  project	
  is	
  impressive	
  for	
  many	
  reasons.	
  It	
  was	
  founded	
  by	
  students	
  and	
  is	
  led	
  and	
  run	
  by	
  
students.	
  It	
  grew	
  out	
  of	
  a	
  genuine	
  concern	
  about	
  lack	
  of	
  understanding	
  between	
  the	
  substantial	
  Vietnamese	
  
minority	
  community	
  in	
  the	
  Czech	
  Republic,	
  and	
  by	
  extension	
  our	
  school	
  community.	
  The	
  Vietnamese-­‐Czech	
  
students	
   who	
   founded	
   the	
   club	
   wished	
   to	
   share	
   their	
   culture	
   with	
   the	
   majority	
   culture,	
   to	
   promote	
  
intercultural	
   understanding,	
   and	
   to	
   reach	
   out	
   to	
   victims	
   of	
   Agent	
   Orange	
   in	
   Vietnam.	
   The	
   students	
   then	
  
planned	
  a	
  wide	
  variety	
  of	
  events	
  and	
  activities	
  to	
  meet	
  these	
  community	
  needs.	
  They	
  involved	
  people	
  from	
  
all	
   areas	
   of	
   the	
   community:	
   their	
   classmates	
   in	
   planning	
   and	
   running	
   events;	
   the	
   school	
   community	
   for	
  
participating	
  in	
  them;	
  contacts	
  from	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  community	
  to	
  help	
  showcase	
  aspects	
  of	
  the	
  Vietnamese	
  
community	
  in	
  the	
  Czech	
  Republic;	
  contacts	
  in	
  Vietnam	
  to	
  help	
  organize	
  the	
  student	
  trips	
  there	
  and	
  coordinate	
  
the	
  donations	
  to	
  recipients	
  in	
  Vietnam;	
  and	
  the	
  wider	
  public	
  who	
  were	
  invited	
  to	
  take	
  part	
  in	
  the	
  Vietnam	
  
festivals	
  held	
  at	
  our	
  school.	
  The	
  students	
  have	
  surely	
  described	
  the	
  activities	
  of	
  their	
  club	
  elsewhere	
  in	
  this	
  
application,	
   but	
   I'd	
   like	
   to	
   emphasize	
   their	
   creativity	
   in	
   taking	
   a	
   broad	
   approach	
   to	
   their	
   goals,	
   their	
  
inclusiveness,	
  and	
  the	
  high	
  standard	
  of	
  quality	
  they	
  have	
  maintained	
  from	
  event	
  to	
  event.	
  Their	
  efforts	
  have	
  
made	
   a	
   significant	
   impact	
   in	
   our	
   school	
   community	
   as	
   they	
   have	
   built	
   a	
   sense	
   of	
   responsibility	
   and	
  
international-­‐mindedness	
  among	
  all	
  of	
  us,	
  not	
  only	
  in	
  regards	
  to	
  the	
  particular	
  issues	
  they	
  work	
  on,	
  but	
  also	
  
as	
  a	
  model	
  for	
  other	
  students	
  to	
  emulate	
  in	
  working	
  on	
  a	
  variety	
  of	
  other	
  social	
  issues."	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
	
  
By	
  Carolyn	
  Reeb	
  	
  
THREE	
  YEAR	
  CLUB	
  SUPERVISOR,	
  ISP	
  TEACHER	
  
	
  
From	
  the	
  beginning	
  of	
  this	
  club,	
  it	
  has	
  been	
  led	
  and	
  organized	
  mainly	
  
by	
  students.	
  It	
  has	
  been	
  amazing	
  to	
  me	
  to	
  see	
  the	
  school	
  sponsor	
  a	
  program	
  that	
  was	
  based	
  on	
  one	
  student’s	
  
passion	
  and	
  it	
  opened	
  doors	
  for	
  others	
  to	
  step	
  into	
  roles	
  they	
  might	
  have	
  otherwise	
  not	
  seen	
  possible.	
  	
  Once	
  
young	
  people	
  realize	
  how	
  much	
  good	
  they	
  can	
  do	
  in	
  the	
  world,	
  it	
  seems	
  that	
  they	
  are	
  unstoppable.	
  	
  They	
  
continue	
   to	
   amaze.	
   Each	
   your	
   I	
   think	
   it’s	
   too	
   much	
   work,	
   how	
   can	
   we	
   continue,	
   and	
   each	
   year,	
   new	
  
passionate	
  leaders	
  rise	
  up	
  with	
  new	
  commitment	
  to	
  helping	
  those	
  they’ve	
  seen	
  in	
  need.	
  "	
  
	
  
	
  
On	
  the	
  following	
  link	
  to	
  our	
  blog,	
  there	
  are	
  genuine	
  reflections	
  from	
  students	
  who	
  have	
  gone	
  on	
  the	
  trip	
  and	
  
a	
  few	
  teachers’	
  comments	
  from	
  ISP:	
  
	
  
	
  
http://blogs.isp.cz/vietnamclub/	
  
	
  	
  
	
  
 
Sustainability of Vietnam Club
International School of Prague
by Vietnam Club, March 8, 2013
Edited by Kristyna Duong, C. Reeb, Loic Charton, contributions from Geraldine Berouard, Karen Ercolino and several ISP
students.
Pictures by Katerina Cupova, Louisa Kuehme and Kristyna Duong.
Posters by Balazs Kuti, Nany Nguyen
Vietnam Club movie edited by Micah Jayne, 2013 Travel with Buffalo Tours Vietnam
cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc
c
VIETNAMCLUB
THEBIGGESTFUNDRAISINGEVENT ORGANIZEDBY
STUDENTSINISP
VIETNAMFESTIVAL
INTERNATIONALSCHOOLOFPRAGUE
OCTOBER6TH,2012 • 3PM-6PM
!
!
!
ExploretheVietnamesecultureandhelpthevictimsof
agentorange
The project has clearly had a deep and meaningful impact on the school
community and the students who have been involved. While
sustainability cannot always be guaranteed, as with any student-led
project, it is a fortunate reality that as the impact of the club grows and
we see the changes in the students and adults who are involved, the
evolution of the club gains momentum. Each year, a new student has
been selected as leader, usually not believing that he or she is capable
of such leadership, as was the case with both Lucy (the student founder
of the club), and with Khang, Nany, and Kristyna. Each one leaves the
club a changed person, more confident, responsible, and with a heart
for the poor. The only concession that can be made for this is the
student pool of potential leaders for the continuation of the club. The
student body is full of highly motivated people who are willing to work
hard to make changes for the good of society.
Nevertheless, the club is at the moment actively taking necessary steps
to prepare the pathway for next leaders and thus maximize
sustainability of the club.
• As every year, members maintain their collaboration with
STUCO, continue to organize cultural and fund-raising events
and present the club in the best light.
• A documentary movie about our trip will be released soon so
that the whole community could understand our mission
properly and support us.
• The school has approved to offer the Vietnam Trip as an option
for annual Week Without Walls (week of school field trips).
Along with financial support the club should also gain support
in terms of organization so the burden of responsibility won't be
lying entirely on club leaders making the whole project less
dependent on current students.
• Buffalo Tours (expert on Volunteer & Educational Travel) will
continue to provide transportation, accommodation and guides
to guarantee smooth course for future Vietnam trips.
• The club supervisor will continue to motivate and guide
students to ensure proper outcomes of their projects.

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Statements (part 2) reduced size

  • 1. Vietnam Club The mission and objectives of the Vietnam Club are: • To raise awareness of Vietnamese culture in Prague and the Czech Republic • To raise awareness of Agent Orange victims in Vietnam • To raise funds for communities who help support these victims • To visit those people who have been effected by Agent Orange • To build leadership and to enable students realize resourceful projects • To enable students to acquire knowledge, develop skills and social conscience, adopt various means of collaboration for common cause To empower the student body to raise awareness of the issues of the effects of war, and the effects of healing by giving off time and money.   Vietnam Club began as Lucy Ha’s CAS project in 2010, and it has continued to sustain and grow since then. It began with an idea, much enthusiasm, and a lot of faith. Small events such as Spring rolls sales, Cooking class, Sapa trip were organized to raise awareness of the Vietnamese culture. Vietnam Festival, the biggest student-organized event at ISP took place twice in two successive school years, gained great popularity and funds raised for Agent Orange exceeded expectations. The whole project has been rewarded with seeing raised money go directly to those they wish to aid, serve and understand since every year student's leaders organize a trip to Vietnam. This year students new and returning embarked on the third trip to serve in a community housing Agent Orange victims. They have left significant testimonies below.   Being granted the CEESA TIECare award would be a boost to students’ abilities to aid these communities further. As the student leadership is replaced every year, such financial aid would provide very convenient starting point and motivation for new leaders and members of the club. Winning the CEESA TIECare Award would mean recognition of significance of our activities and thus would indirectly support sustainability of the project.
  • 2. By  Kristyna  Duong     STUDENT  LEADER  2013  TRIP       My  Czech  name  is  Kristyna  and  my  Vietnamese  name  is  Le  Hang.  I  came  to  ISP  last  school  year  and  was   very   surprised   when   I   first   learnt   about   the   Vietnam   Club.   I   was   wondering   why   in   such   international   school  other  nationalities  didn’t  have  their  own  clubs  as  well.  Later  I  only  realized  that  the  school  life  is   extremely   dynamic   and   depends   very   much   on   ambitions   of   individuals.   I   met   Lucy,   the   founder   of   Vietnam  Club,  in  her  senior  year  and  admired  her  qualities  from  our  first  encounter.  I  could  immediately   sense  her  energy  and  dedication.  The  most  praiseworthy  was  her  motivation.  She  had  enough  CAS  and   still   wanted   to   continue   her   charitable   activities.   Her   vision   was   to   create   a   club   that   would   raise   awareness  of  the  Vietnamese  culture  in  Prague  and  at  the  same  time  would  be  able  to  raise  money  for   victims  of  Agent  Orange  in  the  Friendship  Village  in  Vietnam.  At  the  beginning  I  thought  of  her  work  as   inspiring  yet  a  little  doubtful.  The  proverb  “Charity  begins  at  home”  would  best  explain  my  doubts.  Why   would  she  be  willing  to  pay  a  huge  amount  of  money  to  travel  to  Vietnam  only  for  one  week?  Why   would  she  go  to  help  children  in  distant  Vietnam  when  Prague  streets  are  overflowing  with  beggars?  It   took  me  almost  2  years  to  find  satisfactory  answers  to  these  questions.  I  was  carefully  observing  how  Lucy   organized  a  huge  daylong  Vietnam  Festival  where  with  support  of  the  Vietnam  Club  and  the  Vietnamese   community  in  Prague  she  introduced  traditional  food,  enchanting  art  and  overall  culture  of  Vietnam  to  the   whole  ISP  community.   A  lot   of   money   was   raised   in   order   to   fight   against   the   living   consequences   of   the   Vietnam   War.   Such   a   student-­‐organized   event   was   never   held   at   ISP   before.  Later  in  the  school  year   and   for   the   second   time   already,   Lucy   managed   to   I   am   in   my   junior   year   now.   I   just   came   back   from   my   first   Vietnam   Trip   and   I   finally   understood.   Even   though   I’ve   been   to   Vietnam   so   many   times,   only   after   the   whole   process   of   working   with   the   Vietnam   Club   I   could   view   my   homeland   differently   and   I   could   understand   what   we’ve   been   actually   doing   and   how   meaningful   it   has   been   so   far.   Not  only  our  club  managed  to  organize  another  Vietnam  Festival  involving  even  wider  community  of  Prague,   we  also  visited  many  unknown  places  including  another  center  for  seriously  disabled  people  in  Ba  Vi  and  had   the  chance  to  see  people  who  couldn’t  survive  a  single  day  without  assistance.  There  is  always  a  vision  when   you  start  your  project  but  you  can  never  see  the  outcome  until  you  start  running  the  marathon  and  until  you   see  the  traces  you  are  leaving  behind.  Often  you  achieve  more  than  you  expected  when  you  have  your  eyes   open   to   all   possibilities,   to   various   sources   of   knowledge   and   then   you   follow   your   strong,   sudden   urge   saying:  “You  must  make  a  difference.”   Vietnam trip 2013
  • 3. From  initial  ‘raising  awareness  of  Vietnamese  culture  and  Agent  Orange’  we’ve  gone  much  further  to  the   following:   1. We’ve  introduced  the  beautiful  Vietnamese  culture  to  the  whole  school  community  and  also  raised   awareness  about  the  social  issues  in  Vietnam.     2. We’ve  especially  engaged  the  Vietnam  Club  members  (about  30  students)  who  have  created  close   relationships  to  the  issue,  who  continue  to  actively  contribute  to  the  club  success  and  have  gained   enough  knowledge  to  able  to  spread  awareness  of  our  activities.   3. We’ve  been  able  to  join  forces  of  students,  parents,  school  staff  and  the  Vietnamese  community   outside  of  school  to  hold  the  biggest  student-­‐organized  event  at  ISP  for  2  consecutive  years,  that  in   both   cases   raised   more   than   70   000   CZK   for   charity.   Our   activity   is   now   known   even   outside   the   school  community  since  we  invited  other  Prague  schools  and  wide  Czech  public  to  come  to  see  the   Vietnam  Festival.   4. We’ve   witnessed   and   experienced   the   life   in   extremely   poor   conditions   that   we   are   trying   to   improve  by  giving  donations  and  voluntary  work.  This  year  we  used  35  000  CZK  to  buy  materials  and   we’ve  built  60m^2  of  a  cement  playground  and  painted  a  meeting  room  for  children  in  the  Thuy  An   Center  for  Elderly  people  and  Disabled  Children  in  Ba  Vi.     5. We’ve   developed   a   huge   sense   of   social   consciousness  after   realizing  how  well  we  live  and  how   much  people  around  us  need  and  appreciate  our  help.  We’ve  brought  few  smiles  on  dejected  faces.   6. We’ve   also   developed   strong   sense   for   cross-­‐cultural   understanding   after   experiencing   different,   unfamiliar  yet  enriching  lifestyle  of  Vietnamese  people.   7. We’ve  been  influenced  by  our  activities  in  a  sense  that  we  can  now  view  our  life  a  bit  differently.   We   could   step   out   of   our   everyday-­‐life   box   and  received   new   impulses   for   contemplation.   We’ve   grown  up  from  our  school  desks  and  walked  into  the  real  world.           I   don’t   dare   to   promise   too   much   ahead  because  life  is  so  unpredictable.   Honestly,   I   cannot   predict   how   this   club   will   carry   on   after   we   graduate   but   I   can   guarantee   that   the   experience   we   obtained   from   this   project  will  remain  in  us  forever.  We   all   feel   the   need   to   share   our   gained   knowledge   and   will   in   the   nearest   future   create   a   documentary   movie   to   pass   further   the   priceless   wisdom   we   gained.   Some   of   us   developed   strong   connection   to   the   residents   of   the   center   and   will   continue   donating   own   money.   Memories  of  Vietnam  Festival  and  our  other  activities  will  stay  in  our  minds  and  hopefully  will  continue   to  be  used  as  good  examples  of  successful  CAS  projects  for  future  students.  As  I  said,  there  were,  are   and  will   be   different   students   at   different   times   in   our   school.   However,   if   an   idea   is   inspiring   and   tempting  enough,  it  can  remain  flying  under  the  roof  and  may  in  the  future  pot  even  better  flourishing   projects.   Leaving a memory in Thuy An ...
  • 4.   By  Geraldine  Berouard       PARENT  OF  VIETNAM  CLUB  MEMBER,  CHAPERONE  ON  2013  TRIP     Honestly  I  did  not   know  what  to   expect   from  that  trip   to  Vietnam,   when  Ludivine   my   daughter   was  speaking   about  it  last  year  I  felt  already  how  much  it  has  touched  her  and  how  much  she  was  insisting  about  doing  it  again   this  year  ....  I  have  always  dreamed  to  go  to  Vietnam  as  I  love  Asia  and  when  Lulu  told  me  that  an  adult  was   missing  for  this  trip  I  immediately  said  yes  I  am  going  ....then  6  months  later  when  actually  it  was  time  to  go   though  it  was  not  the  best  moment  for  me  (  New  job  in  Paris  and  a  lot  to  do  at  that  period  ....)I  just  dropped   everything  and  went  like  if  I  felt  it  would  be  something  important  for  me  and  lulu  to  share  ....     We   arrived   first   to   Hanoi   before   the   group   and   had   a   little   bit   of   time   to   adapt   to   Vietnam   weather  quite  humid  and  rainy  at  this  period  of   the   year,   the   noise   and   the   circulation   in   Hanoi   made   me   immediately   feel,"   Here   we   are   it   is   Vietnam  ...   After   one   day   in   half   in   Ha   Long   Bay   which   is   though   quite   touristy   as   beautiful   as   one   can   imagine  -­‐  the  blurry  weather  made  it  even  appear   more  mysterious...We  finally  took   the  bus   to  go   to  the  village  situated  at  one  hour  and  half  from   Hanoi   ,  the   arrival   in   the  hotel   by   a   very   humid   day  made  everything  wet  and  the  floor  was  never   drying  ....       We   arrived   in   the   village   in   beginning   of   afternoon   and   were   welcomed  by  the  director,  who  informed  us  that  they  receive  very   little   help   and   that   this   is   the   first   time   that   they   receive   such   a   generous  one  ,  he  had  established  a  program  for  us  to  improve  the   facilities  (  concrete  floor  to  improve  the  playground  and  repainting   completely  the  big  meeting  room  where  all  children  are  gathering   and  also  visit  to  the  children  and  help  taking  care  about  them).  He   made  us  visit  the  center  and  brought  us  in  the  rooms  where  small   children   are...   i  must  say  that  the  first  contact  with  the  children  was  very  hard  ,  so   many   strongly   disabled   children   (   they   are   more   than   300   in   the   village)  and  they  all  looked  so  much  smaller  than  their  age  .  This   little  girl  which  I  thought  was  2   years   old   I   was   later   informed   she   was   7   years   old.   The   director   was   very   proud   to   inform   us   that   they   cultivate   their  own  vegetable  to  feed  the   kids  because  the  allowance  per   kid   is   so   small   that   it   is   not   sufficient  enough  for  alimentation.  in  reality  we  could  see  later  on   that   their   daily   meal   always   the   same   is   rice   with   little   bit   of   cabbage  ...  
  • 5.   The  day  after  We  were  asked  which  help  we  prefer  to  do  and  I  went  to  take  care  of  the  children  and  little   babies,  they  welcomed  us  with  lots  of  shyness  but  very  quickly  they  asked  for  attention  and  would  not   leave  our  arms.  I  felt  how  much  they  need  care  and  love  but  what  surprised  me  a  lot  is  how  much  all  the   students  have  been  immediately  involved  and  caring  with  the  children,  spending  hours  with  them  and  this   can  quickly  become  very  tiring  as  children  are  very  demanding     What  a  beautiful  experience  on  both  sides  and  among  our  group  of  young  students  you  could  feel  that  it   was  hard  but  so  strong  !  in  the  end  of  afternoon  we  all  went  to  the  supermarket  to  buy  extra  diapers,  milk,   toys  and  colouring  pens  for  the  kids  because  we  felt  they  were  missing  everything....     The  experience  I  enjoyed  the  most  is  when  with  an  English  lady  who  was  there  we  started  to  give  painting   and  drawing  lessons  to  some  of  the  disabled  children  ,  and  I  will  always  remember  this  little  girl  who  every   time  she  was  drawing  a  bit  was  looking  at  me  so  proudly  and  with  such  a  big  smile  and  this  other  boy  who   then   decided   to   decorate   his   bedroom   and   all   his   quarter   with   his   drawings,   one   of   the   girl   was   very   talented  she  was  always  drawing  in  black  and  white  and  portraits  ,  what  surprise  when  suddenly  she  came   to  me  and  said  this  is  for  you  it  is  you  giving  me  my  portrait!   We  decided  the  next  morning  to  draw  with  the  smallest  ones  in  the  section  of  children  just  abandoned  and   not  disabled.  Here  again  so  much  joy  and  excitement!     After  this  week  with  all  these  disabled  or  abandoned  children,  I  will  never  be  the  same  person,  and  I  really   wish   I   can   keep   helping   them   and   specifically   would   love   helping   them   get   educated,   stimulated   and   progress  in  life  as  much  as  they  are  able  to....  It  has  been  such  a  strong  human  experience  that  I  enjoyed  so   much  to  share  with  my  daughter  Ludivine  and  her  friends.   And  a  specific  thought  to  little  Gaya  and  Suan  that  with  Lulu  we  would  really  have  loved  to  take  back  with   us,  for  sure  we  will  not  forget  them  and  would  love  to  see  them  grow  and  get  educated  and  have  a  chance   to  do  something  of  their  life  rather  than  spend  all  their  life  in  the  village.       A  special  to  Kristyna  who  organized  this  whole  trip  very  professionally  and  to  the  whole  group  who  has   been  so  responsible  and  caring  and  as  well  as  to  our  guide  who  has  been  so  dedicated.      
  • 6. By  Louisa  Kuehme   VIETNAM  CLUB  MEMBER  SINCE  2010     Vietnam.   A   country   I   am   so   engaged   with,   although   it   is   so   far   away   from   my   home.   Why?  I  will  try  to  summarize.  I  have  been  a   member   of   the   Vietnam   Club   from   its   very   first  weeks  (almost  3  years  ago)  until  today.   And   I   have   experienced   a   movement.   A   lot   of   students   of   different   ages   and   many   different   nationalities   got   together   to   organize   the   Vietnam  Festival,  which  was  a  great  success.  Two  years  in  a  row.  The   club  has  always  had  strong  leaders.  Lucy,  the  founder  of  the  Vietnam   Club,  organized  much  by  herself  in  the  first  year.  When  she  graduated   she  was  surprised  how  passionate   we  were   to   continue   her  project.   The  club  was  taken  over  and  even  more  Upper  School  students  joined.   After   the   school   rejected   our   proposal   for   a   second   school   trip   to   Vietnam,   we   decided   to   not   give   up   but   rather   to   plan   the   trip   ourselves.   And  it  was  worth  it.  Going  to  the  center  for  elderlies  and  disabled  children  in  Ba  Vi,  Hanoi  is  an  experience   that  I  do  not  want  to  miss.  Today,  the  trip  is  not  just  a  memory.  It  changed  my  way  of  thinking.  What  if  life  is   not  about  going  to  the  best  university  and  later  earning  the  most  money  possible?  What  if  you  could  make  a   child  happy  every  day  by  just  one  touch?  What  if  you  could  feed  20  children  instead  of  buying  that  new  pair   of  shoes?  Although  our  donations  barely  improved  the  overall  living  conditions,  it  is  the  most  we  could  do   during  our  short  stay.  It  is  not  our  donations  that  come  to  my  mind  when  thinking  of  our  Vietnam  trip.  It  is   the  smile  on  the  children’s  faces  when  being  paid  attention  to  that  I  picture.  It  is  that  moment  when  a  2-­‐year-­‐ old  comes  running  to  you  and  throws  himself  into  your  arms  because  he  is  happy  to  see  you.  See  someone   who  gives  him  the  love  he  is  usually  missing.  Considering  that  I  am  just  a  high  school  student,  the  fact  that  I   have  put  myself  out  there,  like  everyone  else  who  has  travelled  to  Vietnam  in  the  past  three  years,  and  have   developed  an  understanding  of  how  it  is  to  be  poor,  of  how  to  behave  with  the  disabled  and  of  how  one  can   really  make  a  difference,  makes  me  be  thankful.  Thankful  for  what  I  have  and  for  what  I  was  allowed  to  give.   For  the  Ba  Vi  center,  the  $1500  dollars  we  donated  was  the  biggest  donation  by  volunteers  in  5  years.  The   government  cut  down  their  budget  for  this  center  by  20%  in  the  past  few  years.  Each  person  in  the  center   lives  of  1-­‐2  dollars  a  day.  And  then  there  is  us,  a  group  of  students  from  the  International  School  of  Prague.   Now  even  more  eager  to  help.              
  • 7. by  Suhko  Moon   STUCO  PRESIDENT  AT  ISP  FOR  2012/2013     "The   Vietnam   Club   is   one   of   the   most   successful   student-­‐led   organizations.   Throughout   the   year,   the   members  have  come  together  and  brought  out  huge  achievements.  For  instance,  by  selling  the  Vietnamese   food,  such  as  spring  rolls,  the  group  do  not  only  fundraise  to  help  the  local  Vietnamese  community  in  a   poor   condition,   but   also   spread   the   Vietnamese   culture   in   the   entire   school.   Especially,   the   trip   to   the   community   is   absolutely   impressive,   as   it   shares   values   of   community   service   and   encourages   other   students  to  participate  in  similar  service  activities.  In  a  variety  of  aspects,  the  Vietnamese  club  has  enriched   cultural,  humanitarian  education  in  the  international  school,  and  I  am  confident  that  the  club  will  continue   the  contribution  successfully."       by  Veronika  Jouklova   SENIOR  ISP  STUDENT     "I  think  that  what  VT  club  does  helps  to  educate  local  students  and  public  as  they  raise  awareness  about   the  current  situation  in  parts  of  Vietnam.  Also  they  "adopted"  kids  from  a  small  vilage  in  Vietnam,  which  I   find  very  meritorious.  Money  they  raise  helps  those  who  need  it.  And  their  springrolls  are  delicious!"       by  Sebastian  Matts   JUNIOR  ISP  STUDENT     "The  Vietnam  club  has  a  very  large  influence  on  the  ISP  community  in  ways  of  showing  their  culture,  food   and  inviting  all  of  the  community  to  be  a  part  of  it.  They  also  made  a  trip  to  Vietnam  founded  by  students,   they  made  this  trip  to  help  children  affected  by  Vietnam  War  but  also  captured  this  moment  and  are  going   to  show  it  the  community  to  increase  awareness.  The  people  part  of  the  Vietnam  club  have  put  down  a   great  deal  of  time  and  effort  and  they  have  really  made  a  difference  in  my  understanding  of  Vietnam  and   for  the  rest  of  the  community."       by  Bui  Thi  Thuy  Van   One  of  the  Vietnamese  dancers  from  outside  of  school  invited  to  perform  at  the  festival     "I'm  open  to  any  experience  that  will  help  me  repeatedly  explore  the  magic  of  life,  magic  of  the  world  and   the  richness  it  offers  to  us.  The  Vietnam  festival  captivated  me  as  in  the  role  of  a  Vietnamese  student  in  the   Czech  Republic.  It  allowed  me  to  see  the  world  with  a  certain  detached  view.  Specifically,  the  activity  of   students   itself   allowed   it   to   happen   along   with   deep   thoughts   of   guests   that   were   visible   from   their   response  to  the  event,  which  I  shared  as  well.  Individual  performances  aroused  a  feeling  that  there  were   people  who  were  trying  to  expand  the  knowledge  about  our  culture;  blissful  feeling.  Of  course  I  cannot   omit   to   praise   the   festival   from   the   aesthetical   point   of   view   and   also   creativity   of   students:   "You   are   number  ones!".  Not  for  a  moment  I  regretted  my  presence  at  the  festival.  Bounteous  feast  became  the   icing  on  the  cake  for  those  with  a  sweet  tooth  and  hungry  bellies  like  me.  The  Vietnam  festival  has  turned   into   an   event   I   will   be   looking   forward   to   every   year.   Thus,   I   hope   that   ISP   students   will   keep   actively   participating  in  organizing  such  events."  (Translation  from  Czech)    
  • 8.   by  Karen  Ercolino   IB  COORDINATOR  FOR  ISP     "In  my  time  here  at  ISP,  I  consider  the  Vietnam  Club  to  be  the  most  ambitious  and  successful  student  projects   I  have  seen.  This  project  is  impressive  for  many  reasons.  It  was  founded  by  students  and  is  led  and  run  by   students.  It  grew  out  of  a  genuine  concern  about  lack  of  understanding  between  the  substantial  Vietnamese   minority  community  in  the  Czech  Republic,  and  by  extension  our  school  community.  The  Vietnamese-­‐Czech   students   who   founded   the   club   wished   to   share   their   culture   with   the   majority   culture,   to   promote   intercultural   understanding,   and   to   reach   out   to   victims   of   Agent   Orange   in   Vietnam.   The   students   then   planned  a  wide  variety  of  events  and  activities  to  meet  these  community  needs.  They  involved  people  from   all   areas   of   the   community:   their   classmates   in   planning   and   running   events;   the   school   community   for   participating  in  them;  contacts  from  the  Vietnamese  community  to  help  showcase  aspects  of  the  Vietnamese   community  in  the  Czech  Republic;  contacts  in  Vietnam  to  help  organize  the  student  trips  there  and  coordinate   the  donations  to  recipients  in  Vietnam;  and  the  wider  public  who  were  invited  to  take  part  in  the  Vietnam   festivals  held  at  our  school.  The  students  have  surely  described  the  activities  of  their  club  elsewhere  in  this   application,   but   I'd   like   to   emphasize   their   creativity   in   taking   a   broad   approach   to   their   goals,   their   inclusiveness,  and  the  high  standard  of  quality  they  have  maintained  from  event  to  event.  Their  efforts  have   made   a   significant   impact   in   our   school   community   as   they   have   built   a   sense   of   responsibility   and   international-­‐mindedness  among  all  of  us,  not  only  in  regards  to  the  particular  issues  they  work  on,  but  also   as  a  model  for  other  students  to  emulate  in  working  on  a  variety  of  other  social  issues."                 By  Carolyn  Reeb     THREE  YEAR  CLUB  SUPERVISOR,  ISP  TEACHER     From  the  beginning  of  this  club,  it  has  been  led  and  organized  mainly   by  students.  It  has  been  amazing  to  me  to  see  the  school  sponsor  a  program  that  was  based  on  one  student’s   passion  and  it  opened  doors  for  others  to  step  into  roles  they  might  have  otherwise  not  seen  possible.    Once   young  people  realize  how  much  good  they  can  do  in  the  world,  it  seems  that  they  are  unstoppable.    They   continue   to   amaze.   Each   your   I   think   it’s   too   much   work,   how   can   we   continue,   and   each   year,   new   passionate  leaders  rise  up  with  new  commitment  to  helping  those  they’ve  seen  in  need.  "       On  the  following  link  to  our  blog,  there  are  genuine  reflections  from  students  who  have  gone  on  the  trip  and   a  few  teachers’  comments  from  ISP:       http://blogs.isp.cz/vietnamclub/        
  • 9.   Sustainability of Vietnam Club International School of Prague by Vietnam Club, March 8, 2013 Edited by Kristyna Duong, C. Reeb, Loic Charton, contributions from Geraldine Berouard, Karen Ercolino and several ISP students. Pictures by Katerina Cupova, Louisa Kuehme and Kristyna Duong. Posters by Balazs Kuti, Nany Nguyen Vietnam Club movie edited by Micah Jayne, 2013 Travel with Buffalo Tours Vietnam cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc c VIETNAMCLUB THEBIGGESTFUNDRAISINGEVENT ORGANIZEDBY STUDENTSINISP VIETNAMFESTIVAL INTERNATIONALSCHOOLOFPRAGUE OCTOBER6TH,2012 • 3PM-6PM ! ! ! ExploretheVietnamesecultureandhelpthevictimsof agentorange The project has clearly had a deep and meaningful impact on the school community and the students who have been involved. While sustainability cannot always be guaranteed, as with any student-led project, it is a fortunate reality that as the impact of the club grows and we see the changes in the students and adults who are involved, the evolution of the club gains momentum. Each year, a new student has been selected as leader, usually not believing that he or she is capable of such leadership, as was the case with both Lucy (the student founder of the club), and with Khang, Nany, and Kristyna. Each one leaves the club a changed person, more confident, responsible, and with a heart for the poor. The only concession that can be made for this is the student pool of potential leaders for the continuation of the club. The student body is full of highly motivated people who are willing to work hard to make changes for the good of society. Nevertheless, the club is at the moment actively taking necessary steps to prepare the pathway for next leaders and thus maximize sustainability of the club. • As every year, members maintain their collaboration with STUCO, continue to organize cultural and fund-raising events and present the club in the best light. • A documentary movie about our trip will be released soon so that the whole community could understand our mission properly and support us. • The school has approved to offer the Vietnam Trip as an option for annual Week Without Walls (week of school field trips). Along with financial support the club should also gain support in terms of organization so the burden of responsibility won't be lying entirely on club leaders making the whole project less dependent on current students. • Buffalo Tours (expert on Volunteer & Educational Travel) will continue to provide transportation, accommodation and guides to guarantee smooth course for future Vietnam trips. • The club supervisor will continue to motivate and guide students to ensure proper outcomes of their projects.