Representatives of the partnership at the signing ceremony, from left: Mr. Robin Shell, Country Director of Habitat for Humanity Vietnam; Mr. Hank Tomlinson, President of Chevron Vietnam Ltd.; Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, President of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization, Mr. Yusuke Kuwauchi, Chief Representative of MOECO in Hanoi; and Mr. Surachai Tanasomboonkit, Manager, Joint Venture Vietnam Assets, of PTTEP. July 22, 2010 – Chevron Vietnam Ltd. (US), Mitsui Oil Exploration Company Ltd (Japan) and PTT Exploration and Production Ltd. (Thailand) committed today to donate US$25,000 to help Habitat for Humanity Vietnam support low-income households in Kien Giang province. This partnership will directly benefit about 49 households from the “Housing, Water and Sanitation Improvement and Credit” project, which provides microfinance loans for housing repairs and renovation for people in need of decent shelter in the Me Kong region. A signing ceremony was organized with the witness of Vu Xuan Hong (Mr), President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization. 

Photo: Habitat Vietnam Country Director Robin Shell hands over the house key to Ngo Duc Cho (in wheelchair) and his wife (standing behind). Seventeen years without sunlight and fresh air have made Ngo Duc Cho’s skin very pale and drawn. After his accident in 1993, which paralyzed his lower body, Cho has been literally imprisoned in a 15 square meter room under a corrugated tin roof, making his life centered around a bed.  When Habitat for Humanity Vietnam staff approached Cho’s family to talk about working with him to build a new house, we learnt about his situation and immediately introduced him to the Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) organization. A wheelchair was donated by VNAH about the same time the house foundation was constructed. Now, with his family’s help, Cho is able to move in and around his new home. He says he saw the daily changes that every brick brought to his new house. He has a new plan for his life: “My wife and I will stay at the new house and the old place will be used to store our farming equipment and products.”   This time, in Vinh Hong district, Hai Duong province, together with Cho’s family, another two families also worked with Habitat Vietnam to construct their new homes. The three houses were completed and dedicated to the families on 11th June to celebrate the change in their lives. Cho says, “This is not only good news for me, but for my family, my parents, my neighborhood, my village—everyone has been waiting for a better day for me.” And it looks like it’s arrived.   

Photo: Mr. Robin Shell, HFHV's Country Director accepted the award   Hanoi, April 13, 2010 - Habitat for Humanity Vietnam (HFHV) was awarded with the “Golden Cup for Social Development”, honoring our contributions to the advancement of the country.   The award was given by several governmental entities, among which were the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organization and the Voice of Vietnam Radio Station. Among 606 nominees, the organizers decided to give the award to 13 international organizations and 48 local organizations. According to the organizers, in 2009, approximately one hundred trillion dong ($5,200,000 US dollars) was spent on humanitarian efforts by individuals and organizations.   A ceremony was held on Sunday, the 11th at the Hanoi Opera House to honor the winners. Mr. Cao Sỹ Kiêm, a member of the judging panel, said, the award also served as an “encouragement for organizations to continue their involvement in social development.”