AHHA Newsletter Jan - Jun 2016 Issue 14 by AHHA

EDITOR’S WORDS Welcome to our issue 14 of the AHHA (formally VVPA) Newsletter. This issue follows the renaming of our charity organisation to reflect our broader

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

overseas missions. After an eventful year filled with challenges and triumphs, it is gratifying to see that AHHA remains resilient and has grown bigger, stronger and more committed than ever. We believe it will be an exciting year for our readers and supporters! In this issue we announce the launch of our brand new website, official name change to AHHA and moving towards digital.

Other

highlights

include

Chairman’s message, our upcoming August field trips to Cambodia & Vietnam,’ Tổ chức VVPA/AHHA và các hoạt động’ for our Vietnamese readers, the Cambodia Field Trip January 2016 report plus a case study. We also have many stories including our volunteers, Nepal Earthquake recovery update, special ‘Thank You’ to our unsung heroes, a meaningful gift from Dr & Mrs Daniel Tran, various fundraising reports, and our beautiful spread of photo gallery. Sadly we farewell to Dr Kim Frumar. Special

mention

for

the

most

anticipated event on our fundraising calendar

the

14th

ANNUAL

FUNDRAISING DINNER to be held on Friday, 20th May 2016 at Crystal Palace, Canley Heights. Hope to see you there. My thanks to all who have contributed to this issue and I look forward to continuing submissions by volunteers for upcoming issues. Happy reading, Stephanie Wong Photos Courtesy: Dr Tam Tran Mr Ted Mlynarz

2 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

Dear supporters, I would like to highlight many activities that AHHA / VVPA has achieved in the last six months. In December 2015, Dr Hien Tran, Dr Tam Tran, Ms Thuy Nguyen and I were invited to the studio of Saigon Broadcast Television Network (SBTN) TV in Bankstown, Sydney for a special one hour documentary on the history and the charity of Vietnam Vision Projects Australia. The documentary was widely broadcasted to the Vietnamese communities in USA, Canada, France and Australia and also available on YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKe8oR9_J8

In January, a small team of volunteers included Mr Ted Mylnarz, Mr Charlie Hili, Billy Trinh, Stephanie Wong, Dr David Worsnop, Dr Juliana Chong and I went to Floating village in Kampong Chhnang and Kandal village in Cambodia. In collaboration with the local Cambodian

volunteers, the team was able to provide more than 270 cataract screening and 200 humanitarian food packages to the poor families. I would like to thank Mr Sean Ngu and his wife Kate for their hospitality, support and assistance with hospital visit and field trip during our stay in Phnom Penh. In February , a numbers of our volunteers and I were able to attend a Valentines Day concert at the Liberty Restaurant in Bankstown, Sydney, organised by a group of professional entertainers included Mr Phi Long, May Tim group, Ms Janette Phuong and other well known singers in the Vietnamese community. The money collected from the sale of roses on the night was generously donated to VVPA. We would like to thank them for their kindness and generosity. In March, AHHA formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

HIGHLIGHTS with Cambodian International Sight Association (CISA) founded by Mr Sean Ngu and chaired by Dr Kim Frumar. MOU will allow the collaboration between AHHA and CISA to provide more efficient use of resources to help the poor in Cambodia through our cataract and dental programs. CISA will assist with local logistics, screening, work permit and customs clearance and AHHA will concentrate on providing the human and medical resources and treatment. On Sunday 5 of March 2016, our 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at Bach Dang Restaurant, Canley Vale, Sydney to hear the chairman and treasurer reports. There was no election at the AGM due to two year term duration. A special thank goes to Ms Stephanie Wong and other volunteers who have worked very hard to give AHHA website a new life and I encourage you to visit and explore the brand new site.

“the team was able to provide more than 270 cataract screening and 200 humanitarian food packages to the poor families” www.ahha.org.au In April, Vietnam Vision Inc’s constitution was amended at its extraordinary meeting so that Vietnam Vision Inc was officially changed to Australian Health Humanitarian Aid Inc (AHHA) to better reflect the expanded scope of our charity work and representation of our diverse volunteers. AHHA is now registered as a charity organisation with Australian Charity Non-profit Commission (ACNC) and Fair Trading NSW. However, Vietnam Vision Projects Australia (VVPA) is still a trading name used in Australia. Our Bi-monthly Sunday BBQ fundraisers at Freedom Plaza in Cabramatta, Sydney in November, February and

April continued to be popular, growing stronger and have become one of our exciting events for both volunteers and the public. They are not only a great way for us to raise funds but also to raise awareness and promote our charity work to the wider community. Last but not least I would like to thank our hard working Management Committee members and especially our honorary legal advisor Ms Janice Le to assist us with Constitution, Memorandum of Understanding and web compliance documents.

Dr William Trinh Chairman

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 3

Tô chúc VVPA/AHHA và các hoa. t đô.ng VVPA ra đời vào năm 2003 do một nhóm thiện nguyện viên người ÚC, người ÚC góc Việt và 1 vài cá nhân tôn giáo trong Cộng Đồng Việt Nam tại ÚC- NSW thành lập với mục tiêu chính là mỗ mắt cườm miễn phí cho người nghèo tại VN, do đó nó có tên là Viet Nam Vision Project (VVP) và kể từ đó VVPA đã thực hiện 13 chuyến đi hải ngoại hàng năm để trợ giúp người nghèo và những người kém may mắn ở các vùng nông thôn xa của Việt Nam và cả Campuchia. Là 1 tổ chức từ thiện vô vụ lợi, đoàn viên gia nhập đoàn VVPA gắn bó với nhau làm việc trong tinh thần tự nguyện với 1 ý niệm, 1 mục tiêu duy nhất đó là: giúp những người kém may mắn. Vì mục tiêu thật đơn giãn và minh bạch cho nên mọi 4 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

dị biệt về tư tưởng đã không có chỗ đứng khi đoàn viên ngồi lại làm việc với nhau cho 1 mục tiêu chung. Khởi đầu đoàn viên VVPA đa số là những người Úc gốc Việt nên 3 năm đầu tiên đoàn hợp tác hoạt động chung với hội Phật Giáo Việt Úc của Chùa Phước Huệ. Sau đó tổ chức VVPA hợp tác hoạt động với AUSCARE Australia, và trong 9 năm qua Hội Rotary vùng Liverpool West đã hòa nhập với VVPA. Theo thời gian số đoàn viên gia nhập càng ngày càng đông và thành phần trở nên đa dạng hơn. Ngày nay đã có trên 250 đoàn viên. Họ là những thiện nguyện viên đến từ nhiều nghành nghề khác nhau, tuổi tác khác nhau, bao gồm

nhiều sắc tộc khác nhau đến từ mọi tiểu bang của khắp nước Úc. Một tổ chức thiện nguyện được khởi đầu từ trong Cộng Đồng Việt nó đã lớn mạnh và đi dần vào chính mạch của nước Úc. Đó là niềm tự hào chung của đoàn. Sự gia nhập nhiệt tình của nhiều đoàn viên trẻ cũng như kinh nghiệm nhận được qua các chuyến đi đã đưa đến nhiều sáng kiến mới, từ đó các hoạt động cũng trở nên đa dạng và rộng lớn hơn. Năm 2011, các bác sĩ Nha khoa gia nhập đoàn và VVPA chính thức mở rộng phạm vi thiện nguyện bao gồm điều trị nha-khoa. Hướng đi của VVPA ngày nay đã đi vào chính mạch của nước Úc; địa bàn hoạt động theo thời gian đã trải rộng từ trong nước Úc cho đến hải ngoại và các hoạt động thiện nguyện tăng dần qua nhiều lãnh vực khác nhau. Nó không còn giới hạn trong 1 vài hoạt động hay hạn chế ranh giới địa lý như lúc khởi đầu. Điều nầy đã đưa đến nhu cầu phải thay đổi danh xưng cho phù hợp với thực tế mà tổ chức VVPA đang hoạt động. Cuối năm 2014 Ban Chấp Hành và Đại Diện ở các Tiểu Ban đã đồng thuận đổi danh xưng của tổ chức thành: “AUSTRALIAN HEALTH HUMANITARIAN AID” gọi tắt là: AHHA.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Tháng 8 năm 2015 đoàn VVPA/AHHA đã hoàn tất chuyến đi hải ngoại sang Campuchia đễ trợ giúp y tế, khám bịnh, khám mắt, chữa răng và trợ giúp nhân đạo cho 1075 người Việt không quốc tịch địa phương đang bị lãng quên. Họ không có đất cư ngụ phải sinh sống trên mặt nước tại Biển Hồ, làng Kandal và thị trấn Kampong Chhnang. - Năm nay, 2016, VVPA/AHHA dự kiến cho chuyến đi hải ngoại vào tháng tám. Nơi đến sẽ là Việt nam và Campuchia trong 2 tuần lể. Tính cho đến năm nay, sau 13 năm, tổ chức thiện nguyện VVPA/AHHA đã thực hiện các hoạt động chủ yếu gồm có hơn 6,500 ca mỗ đục thủy tinh thể miễn phí, khám sức khỏe và cung cấp thuốc miễn phí, khám và chữa răng cho trên 3,600 người nghèo và trẻ em khuyết tật và trợ giúp nhân đạo cho nhiều ngàn người sống trong tuyệt vọng tại các Cô nhi viện, Bịnh viện tâm thần, Trại phong cùi, Làng mù, người thiểu số trên vùng cao nguyên v.v… Bên cạnh các hoạt động chủ yếu và thông lệ kể trên VVPA/AHHA còn thực hiện các đồ án thiện nguyện quan trọng khác từ trong nước lẫn ngoài nước Úc:

Hoạt động cho Hải ngoại: - 2014 Xuống đường gây quỹ giúp Philippines trong trận bão Haiyan. - 2015 Xuống đường gây quỹ tại Bankstown đễ trợ giúp nạn động đất ở Nepal. - 2015 Hợp tác với SENHOA Foundation. Đến ‘Lotus Kids Club’ tại Siem Reap Campuchia trợ giúp Y tế và Nhân đạo cho 545 trẻ em và thân nhân đang sống thiếu thốn bên lề xã hội và những người bị các tổn thương vì bị bán làm nô lệ. - 2015 Đến làng nổi trên Biển Hồ (Tonle Sap) gần Kampong Chhnang - Khám bịnh và chữa trị y khoa, nha khoa và nhãn khoa cho 350 người Việt không quốc tịch sống trên mặt nước. - 2015 Đến làng Kandal ở Kampong Chhnang - trợ giúp Y tế và Nhân đạo cho trên 200 học sinh Việt trên đất Campuchia và phân phối 1,000 gói nhu yếu phẩm cho người nghèo trong làng. Hoạt động cho các cộng đồng tại ÚC: VVP-A/AHHA đã hợp tác cùng các tổ chức khác trong cộng đồng Úc tổ chức gây quỹ hỗ trợ:

- 2009 gây quỹ giúp nạn cháy rừng ở Victoria (Victoria Bushfire) - 2011 gây quỹ giúp nạn lụt Queensland (Queenslands floods)

ở

- 2011 Gây quỹ để xây đài tưởng niệm Thuyền Nhân Việt tại thành phố Bankstown (Saigon Place). - Gây quỹ giúp Thương Phế Binh Việt hiện đang sống khó khăn ở miền Nam Việt Nam. Số tiền gây quỹ đã được trao cho Hội Cựu Chiến Binh South Australia (SA). - 2012 Gây quỹ để hỗ trợ các gia đình của những người lính Úc đã tử trận hay bị tàn phế lúc chiến đấu trong chiến tranh VN. - 2013 Gây quỹ cho Bệnh viện công Braeside tại Sydney. - 2014 gây quỹ giúp nạn cháy rừng ở Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains Bushfire NSW) - 2015: Gây quỹ cho Cộng Đồng để xây một tượng đài Trống Đồng biểu tượng văn hóa của tộc Việt tại thành phố Bankstown (Saigon Place). Chương trình Yểm trợ Giáo Dục: Với tầm nhìn xa cho tương lai, giúp đỡ giáo dục cho con em trong những gia

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 5

đình nghèo sẽ tạo sự khác biệt cho cuộc sống tương lai của người nghèo, giúp đỡ học sinh nghèo là giúp các em thoát khỏi vòng nghèo khó. Giáo dục tạo cơ hội giữa cái “có” và “ không có “. - 2011: Yểm trợ sách vỡ cho trường Ánh Minh, trường dạy trẻ em câm điếc tại Sài Gòn, Việt Nam. - 2013: Bắt đầu các chương trình tài trợ giáo dục cho 48 con em trong những gia đình nghèo. Chương trình được theo sát thường xuyên, xem xét lại hàng năm dựa trên tiến bộ của học sinh. - 2015: Trợ giúp sách vỡ, đồng phục và tài chính cho > 200 học sinh trường tiểu học dạy tiếng Việt và tiếng Campuchia trong làng Kandal tỉnh Kampong Chhnang , để giúp các con em của những người Việt không quốc tịch có nơi đi học để có thể hòa nhập vào quốc tịch Kampuchia. Trường Kandal được xây cất năm 2013 do đài phát thanh 2vnr radio và Bác sĩ Nha khoa Dương Quỳnh Giao, 1 đoàn viên của VVPA/AHHA ở Tây Úc, hợp tác gây quỹ xây trường. Phương thức Gây Quỹ đễ yễm trợ cho các hoạt động:

Đoàn VVPA/AHHA hoạt động được là nhờ vào các yễm trợ tài lực vật lực kể cả nhân lực từ Cộng Đồng. Còn có sự yểm trợ thì đoàn còn tiếp tục hoạt động. Qua 13 năm, đoàn vẫn hoạt động vì sự yểm trợ vẫn còn đó. Chúng tôi rất trân trọng mọi sự tiếp tay và yễm trợ của Cộng Đồng. Tất cả các yễm trợ tài lực và vật lực của Quý vị đều đi đến nơi mà những người thiếu may mắn cần nó. Những công việc điều hành về hành chánh và các công tác chuẩn bị cho các chuyến đi đều do các thiện nguyện viên tự đãm đang không thù lao. Trong các chuyến đi hải ngoại, tất cả các thiện nguyện viên sẽ tự đài thọ cho chuyến đi của mình (vé máy bay, di chuyễn, ăn, ở hotel v.v ….). Chúng tôi có nhiều hình thức đễ tiếp nhận mọi yễm trợ từ Quý vị: - Dạ tiệc gây quỹ được tổ chức hằng năm: tại Sydney hoặc/và Melbourne, thông thường rơi vào các ngày cuối tuần của tháng 5 (được tổ chức 3 tháng trước chuyến đi hải ngoại). Chúng tôi trân trọng mời Quý vị tham dự, đây là dịp đễ chúng tôi báo cáo các hoạt động của năm trước. Tiền đóng góp trong dạ tiệc sẽ được miễn trừ thuế .

- Xuống đường gây quỹ ngoài trời: được tổ chức tại Công Trường Tự Do Cabramatta (Cabramatta Freedom Plaza). Định kỳ là 2 tháng một lần, tổ chức vào các ngày Chúa nhật giữa tháng. Đây là những buổi gây quỹ có ca nhạc vui tươi sống động, giúp vui do nhiều ca sĩ thiện nguyện trình diễn và do MC xướng ngôn Lê Vũ điều khiển chương trình. Nơi đây có bán thức ăn BBQ và thức uống do các đoàn viên VVPA/AHHA từ Hội Rotary West nấu nướng. Có sự hiện diện tại chỗ đông đảo các đoàn viên VVPA/AHHA. Đến đây Quý vị sẽ thoái mái tìm thấy thức ăn uống, thưởng thức ca nhạc, trẻ em nhận bong bóng và tất cả mọi tìm hiểu, mọi thắc mắc về tổ chức sẽ được các đoàn viên VVPA/AHHA trả lời giải đáp tường tận. Tại quày của gian hàng có sẳn bì thư cho Quý vị nào muốn đóng góp yễm trợ, sẽ có biên nhận được miễn trừ thuế. - Gởi tiền đóng góp trực tiếp đến văn phòng của tổ chức VVPA/AHHA: Xin quý vị luôn luôn nhớ ghi chính xác tên, địa chỉ, điện thoại, hay email đễ chúng tôi tiện việc gởi biên nhận miễn trừ thuế về cho quí vị.

Xin gởi về địa chỉ: AUSTRALIAN HEALTH HUMANITARIAN AID INC. PO Box 313 Cabramatta NSW 2166, Australia Email: contact@ahha.org.au Tel: +61 2 9724 1164 Fax: +61 2 9755 7342 - Vào trang mạng của tổ chức VVPA/ AHHA đễ đóng góp: tải xuống mẫu in đóng góp, điền các chi tiết gởi đi. Chúng tôi sẽ gởi biên nhận miễn trừ thuế về địa chỉ của quí vị. Xin vào trang mạng của chúng tôi đễ hiểu rỏ hơn về tổ chức AHHA qua phim ảnh, tin tức, bài vở…. Website: http://www.ahha.org.au Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=orKe8oR9_J8 Trân trọng kính chào Quý vị

6 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

HIGHLIGHTS

Field Trip 2016 13 - 27th August 2016

Writer Ted Mlynarz

“We Have Created a History and Will Continue To Do So” Planning and organising are well underway for the annual Mission in 2016. Leaving on Saturday 13th August, the initial team of sixty-one volunteers will depart from Sydney and Melbourne for Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The expected 300 free cataract operations will be carried out at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, which is a public hospital operated by the Ministry of Health in Cambodia, while the Dental team will be operating from the dental clinic at the University of Puthisastra, where 1000 free examinations and operations are planned. This is a private university established in 2007 and fully recognised by the Royal Government of Cambodia. Both teams will be operating for three days following which Ophthalmology and Dental conferences will be conducted for local medical professionals.

Team members not participating in the conferences will have an opportunity to participate in the Humanitarian aspect of the Mission where poor areas will be visited with food parcel and other essential items will be distributed to the poor. On Saturday 20th August, some of the team will return to Australia, while the rest will travel to Vietnam. At the same time, replacement volunteers will depart Sydney and Melbourne and travel to Saigon and join the team/s for the second stage of the Mission. Departing Saigon on Sunday 21st August, the Mission will travel to Da Nang in Central Vietnam where again it is expected to complete around 300 free cataract operations and over 400 dental examinations and operations to the poor and underprivileged people as well as providing medical training

to Vietnamese doctors, dentists and nurses. Humanitarian Aid will also be provided to the poor and underprivileged in Vietnam, where team members will distribute food and essentials parcels. The volunteers within the group have been tireless in their fundraising efforts to enable the annual Missions to take place. Several fundraising events have been outstanding and as a result those who cannot otherwise be treated will benefit. Without the outstanding effort of the volunteers and the community, as well as sponsors and partners of AHHA, the work would not be possible. “Stand up and be counted, you deserve it!!”

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 7

FIELD REPORT

Cambodia Field Trip January 2016 Writer Ted Mlynarz

8 | Australian Health & Humanitarian Aid

“They need our help” On Wednesday the 13th of January 2016 a small team from Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as an exploratory group to undertake fact finding activities which included hospital inspections, logistics evaluation, patient screening and the availability of local support in preparation for the August 2016 Mission. The team comprised of Dr William Trinh (Chairman AHHA), Ms Stephanie Wong, Master Billy Trinh, Mr Charles Hili, Dr David Worsnop, Dr Juliana Chong and Mr Ted Mlynarz (CEO AHHA).

cataract operations, arrangements were made for the cataract operations to be undertaken at the local hospital, reducing the need to travel the long distance to and from Phnom Penh and causing post operation problems. 200 food parcels were distributed to the villagers, this consisted of 50kg of rice, 2lt of cooking oil and a monetary donation. The people from the floating village are extremely poor, most are of Vietnamese descent, however do not have formal identification or registration documents. They rely on the generosity of groups such as AHHA to provide medical assistance. They Need Our Help.

A field trip to Cambodia took place during August 2015, no cataract operations were performed. Being the initial encounter into Cambodia no facilities or equipment were able to be organised. Medical, Optical examinations and Dental examinations and basic procedures were the only activities possible. Humanitarian activities were also undertaken. (VVP AUSTRALIA Newsletter Issue 13, January – December 2015 provides details of the August 2015 Field Trip). The first day (14 January 2016) consisted of meetings with representatives from the Cambodia International Sight Association (CISA) and Khmer Sight Foundation who are supporting AHHA and assisting with internal matters regarding hospital facilities, medical equipment and providing logistical advice on all matters necessary to ensure the 2016 mission is conducted efficiently and professionally. It is expected that a team of around 60 volunteers from Australia will be travelling to Cambodia. TONLE SAP FLOATING VILLAGE An early morning start was necessary on the 15th of January 2016 to travel to a floating village at Tonle Sap Lake near Kampong Chhnang. After around 3 hours’ travel by mini bus and boat the team arrived at the floating church and school to conduct patient screening to determine if cataract operations were necessary and distribute food parcels. During the day 50 patients were examined with 9 identified as needing

“Most people from the floating village are extremely poor... they rely on the generosity of groups such as AHHA to provide medical assistance”

FACILITIES INSPECTION Following the 2 patient screening days, the team undertook an inspection of facilities to determine suitability to conduct both cataract and dental operations. The first visit was to the University of Puthisastra, where a new Dental Clinic with the latest in dental equipment and facilities has been established. It is expected the Dental team will operate at this facility.

KANDAL PROVINCE The second screening operation took place on Sunday 17th January. The team travelled to the Sophy Pagoda at the Ongpang Village Saang District in Kandal Province. This area is south of Phnom Penh and not far from the border with Vietnam. With help from local medical professionals and very enthusiastic local volunteers 270 patients were screened during the day with 120 requiring cataract operations. These operations will be carried out during the 2016 field trip. One fortunate patient who came to have her eyes examined was identified by the AHHA team as having a life threatening medical concern. She was rushed to hospital where immediate attention was provided and later information indicates she will survive. Being from a poor community the patient may not have sought medical attention for her problem and may not have survived the condition.

The second visit was to the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital where facilities were inspected and found to be of a very good standard for the AHHA Surgical and Medical teams. Both facilities are in Phnom Penh and negotiations have been conducted for the AHHA teams to continue the good work of the group. It is envisaged that over 3 days in Phnom Penh, around 300 cataract and 1000 dental operations will be conducted during the upcoming field trip in August. Plans are in place to conduct a conference/seminar with local Cambodian medical professionals to exchange information and provide exposure to the latest in medical procedures. VIETNAM On the way home the team stopped in Saigon where an inspection of equipment (mainly dental), stored at a warehouse facility, was conducted. For this purpose, the team was joined by volunteers Dr Cuong (Henry) Ho and Mr Joe Cauchi.

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 9

E 2016 Case Study.

FIELD REPORT Patient No: 219 - Name: Chim CHEA -

Age: 88

Sophy Pagoda, Kandal Province, Cambodia

Patient Case Study: Chim Chea

of light only, both eyes. Cataract in right eye. Sigh Writer Ted Mlynarz t is extremely poor and can urs.

e Cakes.

Condition: Perception of light only, both eyes. Cataract in right eye. Sight is extremely poor and can only detect bright colours.

chief that a meOccupation: dicaRice l tea m from Australia was conducting eye screening, Makes Cakes. Chim rom his village Informed whichbyishissitu village chief medical team from Australia was conducting eye screening, ate d that onaan island across from the Sophy Pag Chim Chea crossed the river from his village which is situated on an island across from the oda. Sophy Pagoda. 3 years ago and has worsened with time. Needs assistance wh enmoving moving His condition started 3 years ago and has worsened with time. Needs assistance when around the village.

of eye sight deterioration due to years of smoke entering the eyes while cooking rice ioration due toCause years of smoke entering the eyes while cooking cakes. rice cakes. daughter, who works with him, also has similar eyesight problems. s with him, alsoHishas similar eyesight problems. Both unable to look after themselves and food is provided by village neighbours.

Mr Chea is willing to attend the hospital at Phnom Penh for an operation during the 2016 r themselves and food is provided byofvilla gegetnei ghbour s. mission in August. He is concerned how to to hospital for operation as he no longer is able work and has no access to funds to pay for transport. or transport. The village chief will be informed that transport can be made available for Mr Chea.

daughter has also been asked to attend with him to be examined. end the hospitaHisl at Phnom Penh for an operation during the 2016 mission in Mr Chea has 9 children, 1 deceased. of how to get to hospital for operation as he no longer is able work and has y for transport.

nformed that transport can be made available for

en asked to attend with him to be examined. 10 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

1 deceased.

Mr Chea.

NEWS

Website launch announcement Writer Stephanie Wong We are very excited to announce the launch of our brand new website! After months of hard work and dedication, we are pleased to officially announce the launch on 18th March 2016. Please visit us at our new web address www.ahha.org.au Our goal with this new website is to make it user-friendly, easy to navigate, informative, inviting and engaging. The new website is interactive. You’ll find our new site is divided into six main sections: ABOUT, PROJECTS, VOLUNTEER, DONATE, MEDIA and CONTACT. We focus on a user-centric layout so our users can easily navigate our site and locate the information they need. In the ABOUT section, you can read our organisation Overview, Our Vision, Our Mission, Our Passion, meet Our Leadership Team and check out the latest activities in the Upcoming Events.

We hope you find the new website with a fresh look, easy to access information and we wish to establish this portal as a source of information for those visit our site. We would like to thank our amazing volunteers at AHHA who donated their time, expertise & energy to make this site what it is. For any questions, suggestions, feedback or comments, please email us. Thank you!

Contact: Stephanie Wong contact@ahha.org.au

We have dedicated our new PROJECTS section to provide Field Trip Reports, Humanitarian Work, Disaster Relief and Recovery Effort, Community Involvement and Education Sponsorship Program. Our VOLUNTEER section provides details about Join Us, Volunteer Stories and Testimonials. In DONATE section, you’ll find buttons to download donation forms and how to assist with In-Kind Donation. In the MEDIA section, you can browse through the last 3 issue of our newsletters, sign up e-newsletter as well as watch our documentary videos. In the CONTACT section, you can contact us, view our location and find all form downloads. We will constantly updating our content with useful information, latest news, announcements and newsletters. All traffic to the two older sites www.vietnamvision.org.au and www.vvp.org.au has now been automatically redirected to the new site.

www.ahha.org.au Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 11

NEWS

Moving towards digital Writer Dan Dang With technology improving and getting more and more sophisticated by the day, AHHA/VVPA has taken the step towards the future in minimizing paperwork and going digital! The process of patient record keeping in the past requires a lot of paperwork - if you can imagine the hundreds of patients being assessed each with three pages full of medical, optical and dental examinations plus a few consent forms on every trip, you can begin to understand the impact to the environment and the cost to the organisation both in time and effort. Furthermore, the patient paper record system has also restricted the capability of AHHA/VVPA volunteers to follow up on patients due to limited accessibility, which creates difficulty in effective patient related communications from different countries. With an expansion in services, increased number of trips and patients, more documentation is required - hence an increasing need and desire to go digital. A few advantages for VVPA-AHHA to go digital are: - ease of storage: cloud & laptop - portable: laptop - time saving: not having to look through papers to find patient files - simple & easy to use - accessibility: many people can have access to it - secure - minimizing lost and misfiled documents AHHA/VVPA has started the process of going digital, by storing patient files in the cloud, but hope to look into further adaptations of other digital concepts to help improve effectiveness and efficiencies throughout the field trips.

On the 25th of April 2015 a major earthquake shook Nepal causing death and devastation across much of the country. Soon after on the 12th May 2015 a major aftershock did further damage and caused further pain and grief to the suffering people. Over 9,000 people died and in excess of 23,000 were injured with around 2 million people left homeless. The Vietnamese Community Association – NSW Chapter, together with Vietnam Vision Projects – Australia, the Australian Vietnamese Health Professional Association and the Rotary Club of Liverpool West combined and conducted several fundraising events where over $150,000 was raised. As a response to provide immediate relief to the people of Nepal, around $80,000 was sent to a Rotary organisation known as Disaster Aid – Australia who had representatives in Nepal and were able to provide temporary shelter in the way of tents as well as equipment to purify water for human consumption. Disaster Aid - Australia Shelter Tents To enable proper utilisation of the balance of the money raised, Ted Mlynarz, CEO of Vietnam Vision projects – Australia and Secretary of the Rotary Club of Liverpool West joined a group of Rotarians in September of 2015 to travel to Nepal to see firsthand the devastation and to search out projects which could be financed to help the people.

12 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

be completed. UPDATES

Nepal Earthquake Shelter built from salvaged materials

With the help of members of the Rotary and Rotaract clubs of Kathmandu, Dhulikel and Hatauda, several sites were visited and 4 projects were regarded as important and were recommended:

and servicing the community. Villagers, mainly the women and children trek for 2 to 5 hours a day to collect water from low lying areas.

Writer Ted Mlynarz

villagers trek 2 kilometres each way to collect drinking water in buckets.

Project 2 – Integrated Water Harvesting and Plastic The wells have been completed and now provide drinking and household water to 67 families (432) people.

The integrated harvesting This project will rainwater provide water for livestock and irrig project focuses on collecting water Project 4 – School at Nuwakot during the monsoon (wet) season and water instorehigh altitude villages where the steep ter A small village in the hills approximately Nuwakot District is located north of it in plastic lined ponds. The water 10kms north-east of Dhulikel (40 Kms Kathmandu and was central to the can be stored for up to a year and used from Kathmandu) that lost and 42 houses servicing the community. Villagers, mainly the w epicentres of 2 earthquakes on 25 April for animal husbandry and farm irrigation, required new homes to be built. The and 12 may 2015. 96% of houses were which are the main sources of income villagers salvaged some material from to collect water from low lying areas. a day destroyed with 448 human casualties. for the local farmers. The project aims the destroyed homes and built some Project 1 – Home Building Project.

very rudimentary shelter to house families of as large as 8 people. Finance had already been donated through the Rotary Club and 20 new homes were already built or in the process of being built.

at sustainable development assisting farmers to help themselves and grow economically.

Over 600 children are unable to attend school in area where 495 school building were destroyed or severely damaged.

The integrated rainwater harvesting project focuses Funds have been allocated toward the Ceramic Filter Unitsstore can be it fitted, (wet) season and in plastic lined ponds. The construction of an aluminium fabricated providing clean water for household/ earthquake resistant 5 classroom and use. used fordomestic animal husbandry and farm irrigation, whic 2 toilet school, as well as furniture and From the fundraising account, funds This project is progressing and it educational equipment. were provided to the Rotary Club to farmers. is expected that 50 ponds will be local The project aims at sustainable d Progress with this project is slow due to purchase the necessary materials and completed by August 2016, just in time a blockade being implemented on Nepal build the remainder (22) of the homes. for the Monsoon season. themselves and grow economically. by the Indian government. All building Latest reports indicate only 6 houses remain to be completed.

Project 3 – Water Supply – Wells

supplies are sourced in or through India and the blockade has caused much hardship to the people of Nepal as well as delays in supplying building materials.

Ceramic Filter Units can be fitted, providing clean w

Project 2 – Integrated Water Harvesting and Plastic Pond Project.

In the north-east corner of the Kathmandu Valley lies a village called Sankhu. 167 people died and 433 were badly injured and around 90% of houses destroyed. The earthquake also destroyed 2 wells which provided water to the village. Fresh water for human consumption is not readily available and

This project is progressing and it is expected The project is still a going concern that and construction will commence as materials become available. 2016, just in time for the Monsoon season.

This project will provide water for livestock and irrigation for gardens. Capturing and storing water in high altitude villages where the steep terrain prohibits rain water from collecting

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 13

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

Mr. Tadeusz (Ted) Mlynarz Retired Career Public Servant, Chief Executive Officer & Deputy Chairman – External Affairs AHHA, Rotarian the NSW Fire Brigades and is now known as NSW Fire & Rescue, resulted in a stay of 29 years. During this time Ted attended Macquarie University Graduate School of Management with an ultimate rise to the position of Assistant Director Contracts and Supply being responsible for the management of the commercial and financial aspects of all supply and service contracts, purchasing, supply chain management and supply logistics functions.

Born in Germany to Polish parents Ted Mlynarz arrived in Australia by ship landing in Melbourne in 1950. The family being regarded as “displaced” persons following the 2nd World War with nothing to return to in Poland following the devastation after years of bombing and losing contact with their families, decided to migrate to Australia, at that time, a little known place on the other side of the world. Upon arrival in Australia, the family was accommodated for around 10 years in several migrant camps from Bonegilla in Victoria to Cowra (NSW) and finally to Chullora (NSW). Educated at De La Salle Colleges at Bankstown and Marrickville, Ted started his career with the Commonwealth Public Service with the Department of Defence in a civilian capacity at the Royal Australian Air Force establishment at Regents Park NSW, being trained in Purchasing and Supply Management. After 14 years with Defence, a career move to the then Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW, which became

14 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

During his time with the Brigades Ted was involved in several disasters which devastated areas of the state, providing much needed equipment to combat the emergencies, these included: - Major Bushfires, 1991, 2001/02, 2006 - Thredbo Landslide, 1999 - Major Flooding Emergencies - Storm and Tempest - Severe Hailstorms, particularly Kensington 1999 and Blacktown 2007. Retiring in January 2009, Ted became a member of the Rotary Club of Liverpool West. The club supports Vietnam Vision Projects – Australia (VVP-A), a project in which he quickly gained an interest, registering as a volunteer shortly afterwards and travelling on his first field trip to Vietnam the same year. He has participated in every field trip to Vietnam and Cambodia since and will be going again in 2016. He also travelled to Laos on a fact finding trip with a group of VVP-A volunteers to determine if they could provide services in that country. With Rotary, Ted was appointed to the position of club Secretary shortly after becoming a member and soon afterward was selected to the position of

club President (an annual appointment). Presently, he holds the position of club Secretary and will continue to do so in 2016/17. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary in recognition of his charitable, humanitarian and community work. Apart from the field trips with VVP-A, Ted travelled to Nepal in September 2015 with a Rotary team to inspect damage caused by a major earthquake which devastated much of Nepal on 25 April 2015. Funds raised through several events conducted in collaboration with the Vietnamese Community Association – NSW Chapter (VCA), Australian Vietnamese Health Professionals Association (AVHAP), Vietnam Vision Projects – Australia (VVP-A) and the Rotary Club of Liverpool West (RCLW) have now been allocated to projects to help the people of Nepal regain their lives. Ted’s interests include a regular game of golf, travel, particularly adventure type trips which include trekking the Milford Track in New Zealand, the Overland Track in Tasmania and a 5-day bicycle trek on the Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand. Ted is a regular contributor at fundraising events with both VVP-A and Rotary as well as contributing his time to VVP-A to help with processing donations from contribution, to banking, to issuing tax receipts. “A job that has to be done”. When deciding where to go from Europe, Ted’s parents’ initial thought was the USA, as was with everybody else. However, circumstances convinced them to migrate to Australia instead, a great decision for the start of a new life.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Anh Kieu

The following has been reproduced with permission from MyFuture. By Cathy Denaher. Images courtesy of Geoff Jones, Fairfax Media. http://myfuture.edu.au/case-studies/orthopist-sees-benefit-in-specialist-eye-services

Anh Kieu was born in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1986 and – although she was only four when her parents decided it was time for ‘fight or flight’ – still has a few black and white memories of her early years there. Choosing ‘flight’, they left their ancestry and birthplace behind and arrived in New South Wales, Australia in 1990. Anh attended kindergarten and primary school in Lakemba until grade 3 and then in Fairfield until year 12, growing up in the South Western suburbs of Sydney.

was a child. Anh says, ‘I was always interested in the most important organ in our body – the window to the soul, our eyes’. She started the course in 2007 and completed the Masters degree in 2009.

With her sights firmly set on a health and science profession, Anh went straight into a Bachelor of Medical Science at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) after finishing high school in 2003. Upon completion of the three year degree, Anh graduated in 2006 and commenced work at The Centre for Kidney Research at The Children’s Hospital Westmead, doing full-time research into studies on kidney disease. In 2007 Anh elected to undertake further study at the University of Sydney (USYD) and enrolled in the Masters of Orthoptics course, choosing it over Pharmacy, Nuclear Radiation and Physiotherapy. Her keen interest in orthoptics stemmed from her memory of a difficult cataract operation her grandfather had undergone when she

‘I was always interested in the most important organ in our body – the window to the soul, our eyes.’ In stages of both pre- and postoperative care, Anh is responsible for the detection, diagnosis and management of eye diseases. Full-time work now consists of four days clinical orthoptics at PersonalEYES, a private ophthalmology clinic with multiple sites in Australia, where she is also employed as the Practice Manager for the Parramatta clinic, and one day per week in a research role for kidney disease and cancer-related outcomes. Anh also works in clinics in the rural communities of Dubbo and Mudgee in New South Wales every couple of months, as they are lacking proper access to specialist eye care services. ‘I find the rural patients so incredibly appreciative.’

Joining the Vietnam Vision Project Australia (VVP-A) was one of the best decisions of Anh’s life. ‘It tied it all together for me, my career, my need to go on an adventurous overseas charity mission to help disadvantaged people, and my Vietnamese ancestry. It gave sense and meaning to my profession.’ The project provides aid in in the treatment of highly prevalent diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. Cataract – a condition where the lens of eyes become increasingly opaque (resulting in blindness) – is rampant in the South-East Asian country of Vietnam. Volunteering her time and skillset for this cause, Anh undergoes a gruelling work schedule, which involves screening patients and assisting the mission to perform up to 150 surgeries each day. Back in Australia, Anh also volunteers her time with first aid care to UniMed, an organisation that has provided first aid services to large-scale Australian events such as Big Day Out, the Medibank International Tennis Tournament and Sydney’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks. When working on location at events, Anh considers her eye-health specialist knowledge to be invaluable and often in great demand.

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 15

THANK YOU

Unsung Heroes

Những thiện nguyện viên thầm lặng Writer Thuy Nguyen Góp phần vào công tác thiện nguyện của đoàn VVPA nay đổi tên là AHHA trong nhiều năm nay không thể nào bỏ quên những thiện nguyện viên thầm lặng tại Việt Nam. Đoàn AHHA xin chân thành tri ân Chị Cao Thi Đoan Trang: Công ty thiết bị y tế Đức Ân 531 Huỳnh Văn Bánh P14 Quận Phú Nhuận Việt Nam Chị Nguyễn Thị Hồng Yến Công ty dược phẩm Đức Anh 197/4 Nguyễn Lâm P 6 Quận 10 HCMC Viet Nam Sao Biển và Nhóm Trái Tim Việt Nam online Đà Nẵng Chị Nguyễn Thị Thanh Thủy Chị Nguyễn Phương Duy Chị Nguyễn ý Nhi Chị Dư Kim Anh Chị Nguyễn Thị Thục Một que diêm không thể xoá tan đêm tối,nhưng những hành động yêu thương xuất phát từ lòng nhân hậu sẽ như những ánh sáng nho nhỏ của một que diêm, và nếu mọi người cùng đốt lên những ánh sáng bé nhỏ, những hành động yêu thương sẽ có đủ sức mạnh để xua tan bóng tối của những đau khổ.

On behalf of the members of AHHA VVPA, I’d like to acknowledge the unsung volunteers that have dedicated their invaluable time, efforts and resources to ensuring many of our project’s successes in Vietnam. Mrs Cao Thi Doan Trang: Duc An Surgical supplies 531 Huynh Van Banh, P14, Phu Nhuan District, HCMC- Vietnam Mrs Nguyen Thi Hong Yen: Duc Anh Pharmaceutical Co 197/4 Nguyen Lam P 6- District 10 - HCMC Sao Bien and Trai Tim Vietnam online - Da Nang Ms NguyenThi Thanh thuy Ms Nguyen Phuong Duy Miss Nguyen Y Nhi Miss. Du Kim Anh Miss Nguyen Thi Thuc The light of a match is like a whole-hearted loving act of kindness. It will only grow ever so bigger when there are more matches beside it to light up and brighten the darkness of suffering of the world. We hope you can continue to support us to help those less fortunate.

Ước mong quý vị sẽ tiếp tục đồng hành với chúng tôi để đem ánh sáng và niềm vui đến những quãng đời bất hạnh khắp nơi.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Justin Wong VVPA Volunteer Experience 16 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

THANK YOU

Farewell to Dr Kim Frumar Writer Dr William Trinh We are very sad to hear the sudden passing of our friend Dr Kim Frumar last Saturday 16/4/16. Kim was not only a great ophthalmologist but also a philanthropist. He spent significant part of his life to help the poor, especially the blind through his work and training in Cambodia. Kim was the chairman of Cambodian International Sight Association CISA which has recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AHHA for our charity in Cambodia. Kim was involved with Cambodian Vision for a number of years and for the last one year I was fortunate to meet him and had been in constant discussion with him on how AHHA and CISA could work together to provide free cataract surgeries to the poor in Cambodia and training to local Cambodian ophthalmologists. He was very generous with his time and My first ever VVPA Volunteer shift occurred in the hot summer buzz of the Cabramatta Moon Festival 2015. And although the experience was an hour long, the lesson was a lifetime. During the event I came to realise that I yearned for more experiences, more memories and moments shared with the public with the greater goal of peace, harmony and kindness without financial borders in the developing country of Vietnam. The public, I learnt through my time there, did not come to look superior

donating his equipment for the charity work. We were both very excited at the coming Cambodian field trip. Unfortunately his life was cut short but meaningful. We would like to send our deep condolences to his partner Teresa and his family. Kim will be dearly missed. May Kim rest in peace. In memory of Dr Kim Frumar’s legacy, a Dr Kim Frumar scholarship has been established for training Cambodian ophthalmologists. Your generous donation to Dr Kim Frumar’s Appeal will keep his dream alive. To download Dr Kim Frumar Appeal donation form, please go to: http://www.ahha.org.au/kim-frumar

to the public in any way. They did not come merely for the free rice noodles or refrigerator balls, they came to make a difference, being a predominantly miniature stall one amongst a thousand it was life-changing to see the amount of people, seeing VVPA and leaning in to learn more about the extent of its efforts before donating. Through this longing, the experience was relived again, upon being given the opportunity to participate in VVPA’s bimonthly BBQ festival. Having volunteered previously,

I was able to learn more about the community as well as become bolder in spreading the news of the organization’s strong mission and the support that the individual could provide. VVPA I came to realise, wasn’t just a service that dealt with those in Vietnam, it was those that were in need that were given a push back into the fulfilling life of reality; it truly provides the opportunity to inspire many to strive to make a difference in our imbalanced world.

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 17

THANK YOU

Dr Daniel Hung Tran & Mrs Christine Bich Phuong Writer Dr Hien Tran

A MEANINGFUL CELEBRATION Many of us as volunteers of VVPA and members of the Vietnamese community in NSW have known of Dr Daniel Hung Tran and his beautiful wife, Mrs Christine Bich Phuong for their charitable hearts. They have in the past donated much to many charity projects to help those less fortunate, both here in Australia and overseas. In the past 5 years, Dr & Mrs Daniel Hung Tran have also volunteered their services as part of the VVPA dental team field trips overseas. They are also instrumental in organising the entertainment in many fundraising activities of VVPA.

18 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

Celebrating 25 years of marriage is an important and happy occasion for any couple. In February this year, this beautiful couple have gone one step further. They have kindly donated all the monetary gifts received to charities. VVPA was fortunate to have received an amazing amount of $4,000.00 from Dr & Mrs Daniel Hung Tran. As one of the invited guests, we were honoured to be part of this wonderful celebration. On behalf of the management committee of VVPA (Australian Health Humanitarian Aid), we would like to sincerely thank Dr & Mrs Daniel Hung Tran for their generosity and support.

AHHA

AUSTRALIAN HEALTH HUMANITARIAN AID

Also trading as Vietnam Vision Projects Australia (VVPA)

2016 Annual Fundraising Dinner Charity without borders

7pm Friday 20th May 2016 Crystal Palace 219 Canley Vale Road, Canley Heights

$70pp Gold Tickets $60pp Silver Tickets Includes Raffle draw, meal & entertainment

Newsletter • Issue 14 • January - June 2016 | 19

FUNDRAISING

Fundraising Report Writer Ted Mlynarz

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Giving from the heart to help others is the most generous gift of allâ&#x20AC;?

20 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

Without the financial support from the community the work described in this Newsletter cannot be carried out and helping the underprivileged in any way to improve lives could not be achieved. Vietnam Vision Projects Australia (VVPA) and Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) conduct several fundraising activities throughout the year to raise funds to carry out its charitable and humanitarian work where it is required. Volunteers give of their time to support these events and the generosity of the general public and community have ensured successful outcomes. All money raised is used to directly help those in need. Our volunteers pay for their own expenses when helping locally or travelling overseas with the mission field trips. Bi-monthly BBQ/Entertainment events These are held at Cabramatta Freedom Plaza four times a year, always on a Sunday. Supported by Fairfield City Council as a regular and popular community event, they are an opportunity for VVPA/AHHA to provide community awareness and public education regarding the work carried. In recent times three such events were held and proved extremely popular with the crowds that gathered to be entertained by our musicians and singers. The 15th of November 2015, the 21st February 2016 and the 17th of April 2016 were the days when the events were held. A special note of appreciation is extended to two regular supporters of these events: New Good Luck Butchery, 6/45 Park Rd., Cabramatta, and, Delta Hot Bread, Casula Shopping Centre, 4B/509 Hume Hwy & Demeyrick Ave., Casula.

School Fundraiser Writer Billy Trinh On Thursday 5/11/15 a third annual fundraiser for Vietnam Vision Projects Australia (VVPA) was held at Redlands’ Secondary School campus. Despite the rain and strong wind, the event proceeded smoothly. I would like to thank the Redlands community for its overwhelming support. It was a successful event in helping VVPA to raise funds to continue with its great charity services helping the poor and blind people. Every cent raised on Thursday has gone directly to help patients and their families to transform their lives. The sausage fundraiser would not be possible without the help of many people. I would like to thank the Redlands community for its amazing support; Mr Lennox & Mr King for approving the event; Mr & Mrs Loveridge for organising & setting up the BBQ; Ms Seaford &

Mr Castelli for helping to promote the event & with crowd order on the day; all the year coordinators Mr Castelli, Mr Posen, Ms Wang, Mr Saidi & Ms Bergin to help spread the word; my fellow student volunteers Luke Bogatez, Lewis Rae-Carrol, Tom MacDonald, Manny Rantzos for serving; VVPA volunteers - Mr Ted Mlynarz, Mr Jim Leahy, Mr Charles Hili who gave up their precious time to come out and help out as well as mum. Special thanks to Mr Ted Mlynarz & my parents for sponsoring the event. The BBQ raised a total (sales + donations). fantastic result and I make a difference to lives.

of $1002.85 This is a know it will many poor

I really appreciate all of your generous support and contribution in making this event a reality and successful one.

Mr Vu Le provides his services as the Master of Ceremonies at these event and his contribution is highly appreciated. The musicians and singers also need special mention for their time and excellent entertainment. The next fundraising events at Cabramatta will be on Sunday 19th June and Sunday 20th November 2016, as well as the annual Moon Festival in September.