SHORT AND SWEET FINDING AUTHENTICITY NORTHERN GEMS ...

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Pham surrounded by KOTO trainees upon
being honoured as Young Global Leader
at the World Economic Forum 2011.
OPPOSITE PAGE
Trainees cook under staff supervision
in the restaurant’s kitchen; a KOTO
cookbook with many of the restaurant’s
favourite recipes.
KOTO has been operational in Hanoi for 10 years and in Ho Chi Minh City
since January 2010. In Hanoi, KOTO has a catering service and restaurant,
where the trainees work to gain valuable practical experience during the
programme, attending to over 200 customers daily.
“One of the reasons I started KOTO was because I wanted to give people
who had had very tough, traumatic lives a nurturing environment where they
could be themselves and grow into confi dent young adults, knowing they are
surrounded by people who love them. Many never had that opportunity or
the experience before KOTO,” says Pham.
Pham admits that there were some diffi cult times through the journey,
but says the time he spends with the trainees reminds him of why he’s made
the sacrifi ces he had. “The smiles and laughter of the trainees is what keeps
me going.”
Since its inception, KOTO has been a free programme offered to trainees
and remains so till today. It relies heavily on revenue from its restaurant
and catering service, as well as its trainee sponsorship programme. The
programme allows the public to pledge a fi xed contribution each month for
two years, with the donation paying for the education and initial medical
costs of the trainee sponsored. Sponsors also receive a profi le of their
sponsored trainee, regular updates on their progress and an invitation to one
of the most signifi cant events of the trainee’s life – the KOTO graduation.
“Trainee sponsors love being part of it. We have people who are on to their
third and fourth trainee. But we’re always looking for more trainee sponsors,”
Pham explains.
KOTO has many great success stories, including Ms Nguyen Thi Thao, from
KOTO Hanoi’s fi rst class of trainees. Before KOTO, Thao worked on the
streets 12 hours a day, seven days a week, selling postcards but never earning
enough to cover her food and basic living expenses. Added to this was the
fact that Hanoi’s streets are a dangerous place for a then 13-year-old girl.
After graduating in 2002, Thao was employed at the Sofi tel Metropole
Hanoi as a senior food and beverage attendant and, after three years
of working there, conveyed her desire to return to KOTO to pass on her
knowledge. Before long Thao was employed at
KOTO’s Hanoi restaurant and was soon promoted
to restaurant manager.
Through the KOTO alumni programme, Thao was
given the opportunity to travel to Switzerland
to further her work experience in a fi ne dining
restaurant. After returning to Vietnam, Thao won
the KOTO Ambassador Award which enabled
her to move to Melbourne, Australia, to study
an Advance Diploma in Hospitality Management
at Box Hill Institute, while working at the Sofi tel
Melbourne.
“Studying abroad is a fantastic experience. It
helps me to expand my knowledge, gain life
experiences, meet people and make friends, learn
about many different cultures and much more,”
says Thao.
“The skills I was taught at KOTO, such as life
skills, team work, English as well as working with
foreigners, have helped tremendously to prepare
me for my life overseas. KOTO has always been
there and provided support when I needed it
which is a great motivation for me to carry on.”
When asked about the future of KOTO,
Pham speaks of a desire to expand the model
throughout Asia and many other countries.
“Our slogan for the future is: ‘Wherever there is
abandonment, neglect or abuse, we will be there’
and that’s what we’re working towards.”
For more information, visit www.koto.com.au
Royal Brunei Airlines fl ights to Ho Chi Minh City operate four times
weekly from Bandar Seri Begawan.
MAY | JUNE 2011 21