A great deal of emphasis is put on fund raising by non-profits. This is understandable because without direct monetary support from our generous donors none of the work we are trying to do would get accomplished. But financial support is only part of the solution.

Without the support of the communities where our centers will be built, and of the Vietnamese people, our projects cannot succeed. The land we build on is donated by members of the community, the people who work in our centers will be from the communities they support, and now some of our books will come from other parts of Vietnam.

The Vietnam Book Drive (VBD) is a group of concerned Vietnamese students formed to conduct book drives in Vietnam to collect books which will be distributed to our community centers so that the families in the deep south can enjoy them. These books will come from the families and students in Ho Chi Minh and will be collected and sorted entirely by volunteers.

We’re delighted to announce the successful completion of the first book drive, held on October 28th and hosted by Eviva Tour Vietnam in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The group collected some 750 books which included literature, reference, textbooks, and periodicals.

Since there are so few books in the areas we’re trying to help, the VBD will collect everything they can in Vietnamese; books, manuals, comics, magazines, anything people might want to read. Then those learning materials will be transported down to our community centers.

If you’re in Vietnam, or have family there, you can support the VBD by donating books to them, you can spread the word to your friends and family about their efforts and encourage others to donate books, or you could help by directly sponsoring the VBD.

We will post information on their next book drive on our website,

Hao Minh Nguyen

President
Vietnam Learning Association