The Rotary Club of North Balwyn has been recognised by District 9800 for the excellence of its multi-club project in Vietnam which Glenferrie Rotary recently agreed to join.
The project is designed to support the poorer communities in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam, by providing support in child health, school equipment, medical supplies and creating income producing ventures. North Balwyn Rotary initiated the project and they have been working with three other Rotary clubs. Each club has adopted a village in the Phu Tho Province which is in the north west of Vietnam.
Glenferrie has now joined the project and adopted a fifth village, called Vo Thanh, in the same province.
Currently the project has focussed on the following :- assisting children denied schooling because of cost, this is done by individual sponsorships costing $520 p.a.
- providing schools with furniture, equipment, books, running fresh water and toilets
- providing health clinics with equipment and supplies
- initiating a project where decorative foliage is grown for floral displays in hotels and restaurants
- starting small agricultural projects such as a pig farm
- encouraging villagers to grow Moringa trees , the leaves of which have excellent nutritional value.
Rotary Bacchus Marsh, supported by other cluster clubs, was the second club to adopt a village and the
Balwyn and Brighton have followed 
on with each adopting a village.
on with each adopting a village.The plan for the future is to work with local community leadership teams to
- provide vastly improved water and sanitation
- expand sustainable farming activities
- strengthen health services including hygiene education
- create a dental health program
The International Red Cross have also recognised the project by awarding it an Achievement Award.
Robert Hogan
Director International Services