Hi! I'm Khai.

For 3 weeks I volunteered at Our Story, a small not-for-profit school in Hanoi for severely autistic children and young adults.

I can truly vouch for the impact they have. For some, this school may be the difference between a life dependent on their parents – who cannot support them forever – and a life of independence.

Our Story provides classroom lessons in Vietnamese, English, Maths, and physical skills. It also supports them to do physical exercise, and provides a supervised environment in which they cook and clean. There is a site in the countryside where they learn to garden.

The kids are wonderful and full of personality.

They learn to communicate, cooperate, and follow instructions – essential for them to have a job when they are older. Cooking and cleaning are essential for independent living. They can do these things, but the school is the only place offering the support needed for them to learn.

The government provides no support for these kids, and Our Story is the only not-for-profit of its kind.

Mrs Thu, who founded the school, is extremely ambitious. She has so many plans in the works – including to eventually start a business where the older students can work! – but money is a very real obstacle. Western money goes so much further in Vietnam and your donation would be truly appreciated by her, the kids, and their families.