This program overview is based on the good faith wherein HRA seeks to work with the Viet Nam and Sri Lankan governments, medical and business organizations and personnel, to develop health care, education, social welfare and other programs.

We recognize the need to work together in all situations to improve the basic quality of life for all people in these regions, and to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in every area of activities.

1. Medical Ambulance Boat
   Fundraising continues for this vital need to provide a medical ambulance boat in Ben Tre Province. It is hoped to have this launched by the end of 2014.  A need also exists in Central Vietnam, probably in the Hoi An area, where flooding is a regular issue, and medical services are constantly disrupted. Plans are in hand to assess the needs and resources of this region, with a view to sourcing funds for a second ambulance vessel. Contributions can be made either to Heart Reach Australia in Australia (tax deductible) or Vietnam, at any ANZ branch. (refer our donations page)
   
   
2. Peter Brock Memorial Child Sponsorship Program.
   
   The program in Viet Nam has only been running since mid 2007. In this time we have impacted over 70 children and their families. The goal is to effectively assist 250 children as an ongoing project that will see them through their primary and secondary school, as well as meeting medical and ‘life’ needs. This number will be monitored, to bring in new children as others ‘graduate’ to work or further education. In some situations, children’s needs for further assistance will be assessed also beyond the standard program.
   
   Funding in the vicinity of $45,000 per year, and monthly sponsorships of $25 are sought.
   
   Funding is for projects and programs involving the PBMCSP in the Mekong, Dong Nai, Quang Tri and Giao Thuy districts of Viet Nam. It is planning as the situation stabilizes, to also reach the Tittukkovil area of Sri Lanka. It will develop to allow expansion to effectively assist many of the poorer children in the HCMC area, as well as the remote provinces further North. HRA will continue to assess and follow up the needs of recipient children and/or families.
   
   AusCHAM (Australian Chamber of Commerce) in Ho Chi Minh City, donated funds initially, to allow the first children  (30 children in Tan Thach area of the Mekong.) to be sponsored in this program.  We encourage others to join their initiative and become a ‘partner’ with us in these vital humanitarian projects.
   
   # All sponsorships go to the children 100%!
   # Administration is covered sponsors, and fundraising ventures
   
   Please refer to the PBMCSP Update page for the latest information about the program.
   
   
3. Tan Thach School and Community Clinic.
   
   Within the HRA sponsorship program established in this Mekong Delta provincial town, needs were initially identified by the school principal that reach beyond the student body. A request for a building for purposes of a medical clinic was made. This would be used for health education , dental and medical personnel visits on a regular basis, as well as a community based health, hygiene, dietry, counselling and family services program centre. As such, it would enable a greater impact by not just the medical and social needs of the region, but professional visits by HRA and other approved and recognized trained personnel.  That vision has now been fulfilled. The Clinic is a reality!
   
   The wider community as well as the ongoing daily school needs  benefit from the clinic based at the Tan Thach Primary School facility. Funding needed to cover ground preparation, building costs, equipping and initial materials and training supplies was approximately $18,000. This was raised by the concert in HCMC, donations etc.
   
   The latest information about this project can be found on the PBMCSP Update page
   
   
4. Tan Thach (Mekong) and Quang Tri (17^thParallel) Schools Computer Education Program.
   
   We are grateful to RMIT University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for making available 20 computers for us to give to schools in the Mekong (Tan Thach) and Central area (Quang Tri).
   
   These are used by school children and the Vietnam Study Association, which is an all-age education program aimed at making education available for the poor, older people, or those who may have missed out on proper schooling.
   
   All the computers were welcomed. Although the machines were not new, and a few were found to have failed, these computers are playing an important part in the education process for both young and older students.
   
   
5. Workshops for the Poor.
   
   Proposed workshops that target the poor, street people, beggars and under privileged in all areas. Goals are to establish a large work area/factory, where programs can include education in English, business development, computer and general mathematics. Daily activities will include art & crafts etc. and anything suitable for resale that can be used to finance ongoing program development.
   
   The primary goal is to pay a basic wage that will ensure the people involved can stay off the streets, and instead develop life skills that can assist them set up in business, or work in jobs that have a future. Part of this program is a health care aspect, with a Health Card entitling the bearer to free access to medical/dental/pharmaceutical care. Support of the Viet Nam partners is necessary in this area. The program development will probably begin in the HCMC area as finance is gained, and initially utilize a factory or building of good size, which will give space for the various education and manufacturing aspects of the program.
   
   Training will evolve to allow development of personnel to supervisor levels and ultimately to management, thus allowing ‘planting’ of more facilities progressively throughout the city, and in time, all provinces of Viet Nam. Sale of goods will supplement grant and donation funds, to ensure all workers can gain a wage, and all running costs of programs be met.
   
   The programs are specifically designed not to be a business for the organizers, but funds are to be channelled into the program to ensure all needy people can have a job, and develop life skills for the future of themselves and their families. Initial training will utilize the University of Medicine & Pharmacy, and include a selected group of 10 to 20 people for training programs. These people will provide the initial supervisors of the first work shelter facility, and become managers in time of further shelters.
   
   Training programs in all centres will be progressive, and culminate in a Certificate of Completion, recognizing the recipient’s proficiency in business and other skills learned. The importance is in the knowledge however, not the piece of paper.
   
   Sales of manufactured items shall be made locally, and through export to Australia and other countries as can be arranged. Funding returns to the programs as indicated above. As needs arise (accommodation, transport etc.) other factors may from time to time be considered for inclusion in the programs. Funding from all areas will be encouraged, including grants, loans at no interest, donations etc. This is a major program, and requires major financial support.
   
   
6. Hospital Equipment.
   
   As is currently being done by Heart Reach Australia, donated medical equipment from donor hospitals in Australia and other countries will be used to assist poorer or remote clinics and hospitals in Viet Nam.
   
   Agreements will be made through the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in HCMC, but interaction directly with the nominated hospital’s Director will be standard procedure. It is essential that such Director be totally supportive and cooperative with HRA, and assist in the facilitating of containers, visiting medical personnel, etc.
   
   All equipment brought to Viet Nam will be of a high standard, and being used equipment primarily, have an engineers clearance prior to being sent. As possible, manuals shall be included. All accessories and required parts will be made available at time of delivery, or as soon as possible after delivery. Maintenance of equipment is the responsibility of recipient hospitals, however HRA will seek to send qualified technicians from time to time to check and service equipment.
   
   It is a goal to link donor hospitals with recipient hospitals in a ‘sister’ hospital agreement to ensure good relations, and foster ongoing training programs, equipment availability etc. from these facilities. Recipient centres will be identified by the University of Medicine & Pharmacy, in consultation with HRA and the Health Ministry. (eg: Can Gio District, Tan Phu District, etc.).
   
   Good protocol will be followed with visiting medical personnel, including prior CV and medical expertise, training abilities etc. Itineraries and work programs will be worked out prior to doctors arriving in Viet Nam.
   
   
7. The Eye Bank Facility.
   
   Currently a basic Eye bank (set up by ORBIS) is located in Hanoi. A larger and more effective facility is needed in Ho Chi Minh City.
   
   HRA has been asked by the Eye Hospital of HCMC to provide this facility, and training for the medical personnel (some have basic training). To do this requires a funding target of around $60,000, plus $10,000 as a training and set up pool. HRA would maintain a monitoring of this facility, and assist as able. Development of public awareness materials and literature is already being addressed.
   
   Health Ministry has recently passed the necessary laws in regard to retrieval of donated corneas/organs and this was essential for the future of this program, and the ability of Viet Nam to meet the huge demand currently recognized for cornea transplants.
   
   
8. Mobile Medical Boats.
   
   Heart Reach Australia has proposed to source and supply a number of 5 metre aluminium boats with motors to suit. These boats will provide a floating mobile medical facility staffed by doctors and nurses provided by the Medical University or local medical facilities, and providing free medical care, drugs and aid.
   
   Free ferry services are also part of this program, as relevant to each boat’s situation and location. It will be essential that the boats are ‘tax free’ when entering Viet Nam, and HRA will rely on the Medical University and Health Ministry to assist in this regard, by ensuring all import costs are waived. Where appropriate, HRA will endeavour to equip boats with a carrying trailer that can be towed by a vehicle equipped with a towbar. Possible areas for deployment of the mobile boats will be defined by HRA and the Medical University (eg: Can Gio District).