The Vietnam Learning Association

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The Vietnam Library Association will begin operating our programs in Vietnam under a new name. The new name is Vietnam Learning Association. It reflects the overall direction our programs will take in Vietnam and a redefinition of the way they will manifest. Rather than building libraries, we will be building Community Learning Centers which will offer a wide variety of learning programs using the most appropriate materials; books, computers, or lectures.

Our mission is to establish Community Learning Centers to provide information resources for Vietnamese families in the far south.

The Community Learning Centers represent a new approach to providing information services in today's swiftly changing climate. Our centers will make continuing education available to anyone willing to walk through the doors, serve as a community meeting place, offer access to computers and software training, provide safe places to study away from home, and provide books and periodicals. Paid staff will help with legal documents, and will serve as non-judgmental community advocates who help with everything from filling out visa applications, to learning to read, to finding what you need for a school paper.

2009 Ao Dai Calendar - Model Search Contest

The Vietnam Learning Association Introduces: Model Search Contest - 'Ao Dai 2009 Calendar'

The Vietnam Learning Association, a non-profit corporation working to create community learning centers for families in far-southern Vietnam, introduces their inaugural model search contest - The 2009 Ao Dai Calendar. Participants upload their sample photo onto the contest site, which is then viewed by an audience of our supporters and the general public. Fourteen winners will be chosen to appear in our 2009 fundraising calendar.

Applicants need not be Vietnamese to win, but should be within driving distance of Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro, or Charlotte, travel expenses will not be paid by the VLA if you are a winner.

Voting ends on September 1st, 2008.

Our calendar contest was created in order to give our supporters a way to donate their time to help our efforts to provide learning resources to the children in southern Vietnam. It is a fun way to celebrate your Vietnamese heritage, or show support for our work, while working with top photographers and stylists to show your stuff.

The Aveda Institute of Chapel Hill has generously offered their support for our 2009 calendar production. Hair and makeup services will be provided by members of their school. We're very excited to have their support and access to their terrific products and we think their participation will greatly enhance the finished product and give our 14 winners an amazing experience.

"The Aveda Institute Chapel Hill School of Cosmetology & Skin Care opened in 2005 and is located in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill.

At their school, students prepare and train for a career in the creative and rewarding salon and spa industries. Their education is focussed on hair cutting, hair color, makeup, waxing, nail care, spa and skin care along with advanced technical skills and business training.

The facilities and equipment emulate a true salon and spa setting which creates a dynamic, full service educational experience . As a graduate, students will go on to a successful career in cosmetology and/or esthetics."

Models need not have previous experience to enter, we welcome all entrants. ALL ENTRANTS MUST COMPLETE AN OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM AND EMAIL IT TO US IN ORDER TO WIN!

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RULES

Vietnam Book Drive

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.

CLICK HERE for more...

The lucky children in Vietnam have bookstores to read in, because there are no libraries.

Summer temperatures in Vietnam can reach 110 degrees indoors and most buildings don't have air conditioning. But despite the crushing heat you will commonly see the few bookstores crammed with children who spend the whole day reading.

Why do they come to the bookstore to read? Because there are no libraries nearby for them to go to, and because even in the wealthier parts of Vietnam, they cannot afford to buy the books.

But their hunger for books is strong enough to get them to find whatever space they can to sit, and learn in the only way available to them.

Ho Phong Learning Center

We have new pictures of the site where the Ho Phong Learning Center will be built in the next few months.

Click Here to see the images...

501(c)(3) Status

The Vietnam Library Association Inc. has received official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. For many people this means that your donations can now be matched by your employer. Most employers who will match charitable donations will only do so if the non-profit has their 501(c)(3) status.

Know that your donations will not only go towards helping the families in southern Vietnam, they will also be entirely tax exempt.


Rice Farm In Hô Phòng	Town Center Near Hô Phòng	View From Bridge In Cà Mau

You may also learn some things about Viet Nam which you would not have expected. This is a beautiful country full of generous, hard-working people. Photographs will never do the country justice, but they are a good place to start.

Read "Lan's Story" to find out why we are so strongly committed to including eye exams and free glasses in the range of services we offer in our libraries.

We value feedback on the website, and we're eager to speak to anyone with a desire to volunteer, make a donation, or willingness to learn more about what we do. Visit our contact page for a variety of ways to get in touch with us.

Are You A Librarian Fluent In Vietnamese?

Want to make a difference for families in southern Vietnam?

We want to speak to you about a new program we're developing.

CLICK HERE for more information.


Market In Hô Phòng	Road Outside Bạc Liêu	Main Waterway Through Cà Mau

Vietnam Learning Association
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20 Bromfield Rd • Somerville, MA 02144
Tel: 508-579-4036 • email: info@vietnamlibrary.org
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