FEATURE - Lending a hand in Laos

Project Vietnam Inc. is an overseas volunteer aid group that was formed in 1990 on the Sunshine Coast, with members throughout Australia and overseas. Janet Perry-Watson is a Nambour nurse who has been volunteering with them for 25 years, and she recently shared some rewarding details of their work.

by Victoria McGuin

Project Vietnam Inc. (PVI) has provided aid work in Vietnam, Cambodia and more recently Laos. 

The Project Vietnam Inc. Vision, according to their website, is to: Meet the medical equipment, health, education, housing, community development and the well-being needs of people in poor communities in Vietnam and any bordering country, using professional input from Australia, Vietnam and such bordering country in developing programs in specific areas to improve their quality of life.

I spoke with Janet Perry-Watson, a registered nurse from Nambour, has been involved with PVI for 25 years as a volunteer and loves their approach.

“Values are vital to PVI,” Janet shared. “The organisation is independent from any religious or political affiliation, and has operational freedom as a not-for-profit Australian volunteer organisation.

“They are accountable and transparent at all levels, which is so important, and they clearly appreciate and recognise the skills and experience of all their volunteers.

“We feel valued and supported, and love that they celebrate the rich diversity of culture and contribution from all involved.”

Janet has recently returned from Laos, where she worked on the building team to renovate a kindergarten, in Pak Mong.

“We spent two weeks with a team of 13 working on the kindy, which had been derelict 12 months before.

“PVI sent money for local builders to start the renovations, fix the walls and put a roof on before we arrived. When we got there we did the windows, the doors, painted the outside, painted the fence, inside the ceiling.

“We installed electricity, safety switches, wiring, fans and lights; put up decorations and posters. PVI provided money for a water tank for the toilet, as there was no water or electricity to the classrooms before we got there.”

The team also painted two primary school rooms, and a water tank was put up in primary school, and pipes connected to the town water supply for toilets.

At the same time, two weeks before, another team built four little houses in Battambong, in Cambodia. 

“They also worked with local builders,” said Janet, “and PVI volunteers have built over 100 houses in six years for the local villagers who are in little shanties. These are bamboo houses which cost about $3k each.”

Janet keeps busy with PVI, usually taking on a couple of projects each year.

“The year before, there were four PVI projects, a kindergarten, a community centre, hospital accommodation in Ngong Khiaw, and a classroom.

“I was in the team to renovate a classroom in a village called Thapene. There were eight of us attending to a falling-down toilet and shower inside a classroom! We demolished it and removed to another location.”

The main work of PVI is renovating hospitals, clinics, and community centres, and this has all happened since 2015. 

“Before that there was a medical team I was on,” explained Janet,”and we did nursing education, lectures, and hands-on stuff. When that side of it stopped, the nurses involved all joined the building team!”

I asked what the response has been from the locals with the latest project in Laos? 

“Fantastic!” exclaimed Janet. “The community helped us; the chief of the village organised them to paint, fix the garden, and help with roofing. Kids would come during the day and say hello. We were the novelty of the village, Pak Mong. 

“They did a big ceremony, called Baci, once the two weeks were finished, where they tie bits of white cotton around your wrists and do blessings, and the elders wish you luck. It’s an honour. 

“The villagers wore traditional costumes to do a dance for us, which was so lovely, and the kindy teacher was crying when we handed over keys,” Janet smiled at the fond memory.

Janet became a life member of PVI this year. 

“They awarded it to me,” she said. “It’s a lovely recognition for 25 years of being involved, 23 years of trips. I wasn’t expecting it.”

Many people make their volunteer time part of a holiday, and if this may be of interest to you, PVI is always ready to welcome more members to the team.

What could be better than having a holiday and knowing you have given children the benefit of school and clean water systems?

All funds are raised here on the Sunshine Coast by volunteers and members, as PVI receives no government funding. Most importantly, they have no overheads, so all donations and membership fees go directly to their overseas projects.

“Please come and join our team,” said Janet with a big smile, “you won’t be disappointed.” 

Visit projectvietnam.com or find them on Facebook