Dragon Tales,March 2014

8/12/2019 Dragon Tales,March 2014

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DRAGON TALESMarch 2014

The Street Ambassador15 year old Cuong* was living on the streets of Hanoi before he met Blue Dragon.Cuong now lives at one of our shelters, where he has thrived with the right support

and nurturing. As it turns out, he has a talent for spotting children in crisis and

introducing them to the safety of Blue Dragon.

He recognizes kids who are new to the streets by observing clues, like

whether or not they are wearing shoes. Cuong knows what a street kid

looks like, and what they feel like: alone and scared, with nobody to turn to.

One day, Cuong introduced our team to a boy who had run away from

home or more precisely, biked away after an argument with hisparents. The boy was so angry, he took a bag, some money and bicycled

all the way to Hanoi from a neighbouring province. Cuong met him on

the street, and told him he could eat a good meal and have a rest at

Blue Dragon. The boy came to our centre, and after meeting with a social

worker decided to go home and work out the problem with his family.

We cant imagine what might have happened to him if he had been left

to fend for himself. Instead, our team brought him home and the boy has

now returned to school.

By introducing street kids to a safe and healthy environment, Cuong

changes lives. We are proud he has become an Ambassador for Blue Dragon.

Happy Year of the Horse! The

Ninth Tet Awards in January

celebrated Vietnams Lunar New

Year and kids achievements

during a fun-lled night of

games and performances. The

fashion show was an excitinghighlightall the clothes were

inspired by healthy food.

Some of the outts were made

completely of vegetables!

Rescues in the news

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Cuongs gone from sleeping rough

to helping get kids off the streets

www.bluedragon.org

[email protected]

This is one of the best articles about Blue Dragons

rescue work that I have read, says Michael

Brosowski, Founder and CEO of Blue Dragon,

about an investigative piece featured in BrandeisMagazine. Read the full article here.

Do you love online shopping? Blue Dragon Childrens

Foundation USA is now on eBay! When you sell an

item on eBay, you have the option to donate anywhere

from 10% to 100% of proceeds to benet children

in crisis in Vietnam. If youre

shopping, you can also donate

to Blue Dragon at checkout.

Visit our eBay pageto learn more about this easy way

to fundraise.

Were now on eBay
http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfhttp://www.brandeis.edu/magazine/2014/winter/featured-stories/van_ta.htmlhttp://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/blue-dragon-children-s-foundation/65563/http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/blue-dragon-children-s-foundation/65563/http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/blue-dragon-children-s-foundation/65563/http://www.brandeis.edu/magazine/2014/winter/featured-stories/van_ta.htmlhttps://twitter.com/BlueDragonVNhttp://www.facebook.com/bluedragonvietnamhttp://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfmailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueDragonVietnamhttp://vietnamstreets.blogspot.com/


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Whats new at Blue?March 2014

Page 2

Visitor Highlights

The brightly coloured Early Intervention Centre at Blue Dragon for children

5 to 10 years is a great way for the youngest kids in our care to learn to

work together, especially around lunchtime.

The children are very responsible and cooperative. While the food is

cooked by an adult staff member, the kids set the table with bowls and

chopsticks; after enjoying their meal, they even take charge of clearing

the table by bringing their dishes to the sink and making sure there arent

any spills.

Learning how to take care of the centre and each other is a great skill

for these little ones!

Learning to work together

TRAFFIC, an organization committed to ending the illegal wildlife trade,

has been coming to Dragon House to talk about how children can stand

up for the environment. Thanks for sharing this important information.

www.bluedragon.org

[email protected]

Yen, who has been with Blue Dragon since high school, has just completed her

degree at the University of Civil Engineering; she received a rare near-perfect

score in her nal thesis. Yen is currently interning at the engineering rm of one

of our Blue Dragon supporters. Well done, Yen!

If you like hearing about the Blue Dragon kids, sign up for our blogand receive

stories directly to your inbox.

Congratulations to Yen!

In January, US Consul General Rena

Bitter met children and staff at our

centre in Hue, where we coordinate

the rescue and care of trafcked

children. Consul General Bitter saw

rsthand the impact of funding

provided by the US Government.

Twice a week, Blue Dragon children and staff welcome visitors to

Dragon House as part of their tour with Intrepid Travel. Travellers are

treated to a visit around the centre and Breakfast with the Stars (the

kids!). Intrepid generously match any donations dollar for dollar.

Yen the Engineer at work
http://www.traffic.org/http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfhttp://oi.vresp.com/?fid=38b7677fe7https://www.facebook.com/consulgeneral.hcmchttps://www.facebook.com/consulgeneral.hcmchttps://www.facebook.com/consulgeneral.hcmchttp://www.intrepidtravel.com/http://www.intrepidtravel.com/https://www.facebook.com/consulgeneral.hcmchttps://www.facebook.com/consulgeneral.hcmchttps://www.facebook.com/consulgeneral.hcmchttp://oi.vresp.com/?fid=38b7677fe7https://twitter.com/BlueDragonVNhttp://www.facebook.com/bluedragonvietnamhttp://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfmailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueDragonVietnamhttp://vietnamstreets.blogspot.com/http://www.traffic.org/


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Getting ResultsMarch 2014

Page 3

Ly,* 13 years old, is a naturally

curious girl. Since meeting her three

years ago, Blue Dragon has seen her

interests evolve as she encounters

new experiences at her school in ruralBac Ninh province. She has thought

at times of becoming a painter, a

doctor, a fashion designer even a

scholar of Vietnamese literature!

Ly has motivation to study and more:

she also wants to make a difference

in her community.

In 2013, Blue Dragon rescued a 17 year old girl named Hanh* who was

trafcked to a brothel in China. She was held for six months before she found a

mobile phone she could use to call for help. Over the phone, Blue Dragons anti-

trafcking team successfully engineered Hanhs escape and safe journey home.

But theres more to Hanhs story.

While on the phone, Hanh quietly revealed there was another Vietnamese girl in

the brothel who had also been kidnapped. Her name was Thi.*

Make no mistake: what Hanh did was extremely courageous. If a brothel guard

had overheard plans of an escape, Hanh and Thi would surely have been beaten

and the phone taken. It would have been safer for Hanh not to say anything at all.In spite of the dangers, Hanh risked her own escape to

help Thi because she still had hope: hope that if one

girl could be freed, so could two with the help that was

on the way.

Blue Dragon rescued both girls two days later and

brought them home to their worried families. Today,

they have returned to high school, and our team

remains in close contact.

Hanhs story is an important lesson. Her act ofcourage reminds us that even in the most desperate of

situations, we are all capable of changing a life.

Kids helping kids!

An act of courage

[email protected]

Did you know?

In Vietnam, most children inpublic school are enrolled for half-

days. Some students attend extratutoring sessions, but childrenfrom poor families who cannotafford to do so are always at adisadvantage.

If youd like to sponsor a child like

Ly, write to [email protected]

Hanh, Thi and other rescued girls on

a trip with Blue Dragon

The girls just after their rescue

Reading relaxes me, says Ly

Last year, Ly started a reading club with her twin brother and friends so that all the kids in her village could have

access to books. During the summer I wanted to open a small library and I did that with a lot of friends in the

village. Reading books relaxes me, she says. We are proud of Ly for encouraging reading in her community.

By helping others, she brings Blue Dragons valuesto life.
http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfhttp://www.bluedragon.org/what-we-do/our-values/http://www.bluedragon.org/what-we-do/our-values/https://twitter.com/BlueDragonVNhttp://www.facebook.com/bluedragonvietnamhttp://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfmailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueDragonVietnamhttp://vietnamstreets.blogspot.com/


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Featured FundraisersMarch 2014

...for Rally Indochina 2014! The ride kicksoff 14 April in Hanoi. Will you be there?

Staff Profile:Nguyen Thi Huong Lan

Educational PsychologistSince September 2010

What is your role?I give career advice to youth over 15years old, conduct workshops onlife skills and values, and providecounselling support for kids and staff.

What is your favourite part?My work is very rewarding. Its notjust about how much the kids or local

communities change I also see manypositive changes in myself, too.

What have the kids taught you?One of the most meaningful lessonsis for me as a parent. If parents couldbe a little more responsible, loving andcaring, there would be fewer kids whoare so unhappy.

What do you think of relationshipskids make at Blue?

Many kids have bad memories ofprevious caregivers, so its hard to buildrelationships. Actually, relationshipsmay not be hard to start, but theyreeasy to break if kids dont have goodsocial skills! But after being in a safe,friendly environment, kids show usa much more positive side. Theylldisplay a willingness to help others,and weve seen many kids nd bestfriends at Blue Dragon!

When you think of a get-together withfriends, what do you see? A dinner party? Anight at the movies? How about making adifference for a child in need?

A group of friends in Tasmania havecommited to supporting the educationand care of three disadvantaged girlsin Vietnam. They regularly collect funds, andhave even organised a successful Fashion Show fundraiser. Thewomen have a range of backgrounds: psychologist, PhD supervisor,jewelry shop owner, science and maths teacher, reghter, andsocial worker. But they are united in understanding what it meanswhen girls can increase their access to education.

The girls these wonderful women are assisting are also diverse: ayoung woman rescued from a brothel in China who has started herown business, an 11 year old girl from rural Bac Ninh province, anda university student from Central Vietnam studying for her teachingdegree.

If you are inspired to gather like-minded individuals to make a

difference, please contact us at [email protected].

Update your wardrobe for a goodcause! You can do just that on27 March at four Blue Illusion

boutiques in Sydney, NSW.Fashion parades will be heldat their Mona Vale, Burwood,Mosman and Balmain locations.Enjoy the parade of uniqueBlue Illusion looks. Proceedswill support children in need inVietnam. For more information,email [email protected].

www.bluedragon.org

[email protected]

Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation is an Australian grassroots organisation.

We rely on support from donors, sponsors and fundraisers around the world to continue our work with disadvantaged youth in Vietnam.

Unite and change a life

Are you in Sydney?

Sign up nearly closed...

More upcoming events in New Zealand and Australia

listed on the next page!

The annual Blue Dragon BookFair hosted by Blue DragonChildrens Trust New Zealand

will take place Saturday 5April, at the Ngaio Town Hallin Wellington. You can ndCDs and plenty of good reads.

Donated books are stillneeded! Find out more on theevents Facebook page.

Wellington Book Fair
http://www.rallyindochina.com/mailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=Fundraising%20for%20Blue%20Dragonmailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=Blue%20Illusion%20Fashion%20Paradehttp://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfhttps://www.facebook.com/events/371984822943441/https://www.facebook.com/events/371984822943441/https://twitter.com/BlueDragonVNhttp://www.facebook.com/bluedragonvietnamhttp://../AppData/Local/Adobe/InDesign/Version%207.0/en_GB/Caches/InDesign%20ClipboardScrap1.pdfmailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/donations/http://www.youtube.com/user/BlueDragonVietnamhttp://vietnamstreets.blogspot.com/http://www.rallyindochina.com/mailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=Blue%20Illusion%20Fashion%20Parademailto:info%40bdcf.org?subject=Fundraising%20for%20Blue%20Dragonhttp://www.rallyindochina.com/


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DRAGON TALESMarch 2014

Save the Date!

Saturday 31 May: Vietnamese Banquet and Auction.Come and join your community for some fantasticprizes.

Venue TBA, Taupo

For more information, email [email protected]

Thursday 5 June: Charity boxing match and auctionorganised by our friend Dean Spicer

ABA Arena, Auckland

Time TBA

You can nd out more, and book tickets, by [email protected].

Saturday 7 June: Charity Ball organised by CatherineSpicer

Venue TBA, Wellington

You can nd out more, and book tickets, by [email protected].

New Zealand fundraisers

Are you in Australia or New Zealand in May and June?

Michael Brosowski, Founder and CEO of Blue Dragon,will be at the following events to share inspriationalstories about the organisations pioneering work.

It would be great to see you there!

Saturday 10 May: Sydney Quiz with a Cause withfood by Miss Chu, the Queen of Rice Paper Rolls

Randwick Town Hall, Randwick

7pm

Reserve your table today with TryBooking.com

Saturday 17 May: Dinner with Michael Brosowski

Bay Tinh Vietnamese Restaurant, Marrickville

7pm

Space limited to 40 people. Book now withTryBooking.com

Sunday 25 May: Melbourne Trivia night, with greatprizes and Trivia fun

Richmond Town Hall, Melbourne

7pm

For more information, email [email protected]

Australia fundraisers
mailto:Claire%40bdcf.org?subject=Taupo%20Fundraisermailto:deanajspicer%40icloud.com?subject=New%20Zealand%20Charity%20Events%20for%20Blue%20Dragonmailto:deanajspicer%40icloud.com?subject=New%20Zealand%20Charity%20Events%20for%20Blue%20Dragonhttp://www.misschu.com.au/http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=75062http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=78040mailto:claire%40bdcf.org?subject=Melbourne%20Trivia%20Nightmailto:claire%40bdcf.org?subject=Melbourne%20Trivia%20Nighthttp://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=78040http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=75062http://www.misschu.com.au/mailto:deanajspicer%40icloud.com?subject=New%20Zealand%20Charity%20Events%20for%20Blue%20Dragonmailto:deanajspicer%40icloud.com?subject=New%20Zealand%20Charity%20Events%20for%20Blue%20Dragonmailto:Claire%40bdcf.org?subject=Taupo%20Fundraiser

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Dragon Tales,March 2014