Public health training by U.S. experts for Vinh My people

The project has been running annually in the province for eight years by Alliant International University, U.S. and locally coordinated by its partner - the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations of Thua Thien Hue Province (HueFO).

In more than a week time, the project team of 11 with local volunteers, led by Prof. Dr. Suni Petersen, have offered basic but essential trainings to about 300 locals of different ages and backgrounds, impacting them on awareness and behavior change in terms of health and social issues, such as child right protection or sexual child abuse. The local health collaborators, the training’s core target group, are hoped to deliver even more effective health advocacy to the local people to make their community healthier.

The team also paid daily visits to the schools and vividly show the kids how to protect their hands and teeth from germs and parasites, and donated dozens of toys, toothbrushes and toothpastes.

The team poses for a photograph with the local people at the closing ceremony

Via the program, the U.S friends also had the chances to learn and experience the culture and tradition of the locality as well as build up new bonds with the villagers.

Prior to the training program, at the welcome reception, HueFO’s Vice President cum Secretary General Dr. Nguyen Quy Hanh presented them an overview of Vietnam’s development and the community development work that the organization has been implementing.

Story and photos: The Vinh