We have been travelling in South East Asia for many years, and in that time we have seen many things - not all of these experiences have been to do with travel and tourism. When you spend as much time as we do discovering and communicating with the locals, you start to see what is really going on at the social and cultural level – we scratch under the veneer that is often painted for the unsuspecting tourist.

KOTO (Know One Teach One)
www.streetvoices.com.au

In Hanoi we know there are some 35,000 street kids, living day-by-day on the streets, shining shoes or selling postcards. Many have no shelter other than under bridges, in doorways or local parks. These kids are vulnerable to elements of society that are unscrupulous and vicious. In 1999 I met Jimmy Pham, founder of KOTO (Know One Teach One), an organisation that teaches street kids vocational skills in the hospitality industry eg. chef skills, how to wait on tables, administration and front of house.

Each year KOTO accepts up to 70 kids into its training program that lasts for 18 months and, during this time, they are taught English, life skills and the practical skills mentioned above. Professional training is provided by an all-volunteer staff of Vietnamese and foreign workers, and practical experience is undertaken in the KOTO café in Hanoi. The idea is to place these kids into jobs in the hospitality industry around Hanoi. Since 1996 they have had a 100% success rate - a great achievement!

Goddard & Howse have supported KOTO since its inception with both moral and financial support. We sponsor a trainee every year, run annual fund-raising events and, of course, we always visit the café with our guests when in Hanoi - the food is always delicious and the atmosphere inviting. It is great to see the kids in action!

BURMA - INLE ORPHANAGE, SHAN STATE
We have been regular visitors to Inle Lake in Burma since 2002 - this is surely one of the most beautiful places on the planet!

Like many parts of Asia, when the family structure is weak or broken by other factors, the social welfare structure will not cope with the fallout. When this happens there are many children in the region who have nowhere to go because their family has fallen on hard times.

The Inle orphanage helps kids who have lost their parents or have been outcast by their families simply because they could not be fed. The convener of the orphanage is a most inspiring man, Mr Oo Ton Tet, 63 years of age and devoting his life to these kids.

There are over 85 kids at the orphanage and, happily, there are other foreign donors who have helped with building and infrastructure, but there is an ongoing need for financial assistance and moral support.

Goddard & Howse have supported the orphanage since our first visit in 2002, and we always visit with our guests on our Burma trips.

It is great to meet the kids and to brighten their day with little gifts, such as colouring pencils, crayons, books and paper.

We hope that we can make a difference in the long term.