KOTO Founder Jimmy Pham Honoured

 Austraining International congratulates Founder of Know One Teach One (KOTO), Jimmy Pham, who has been recognised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Young Global Leader.

VIDA volunteer Louise was with KOTO for two and a half years as chef trainer

KOTO, a not-for-profit restaurant and vocational training program, has lifted over 300 Vietnamese youth out of poverty by offering them training and employment.
The Volunteering for International Development from Australia (VIDA) and Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Programs have supported the work being carried out in communities in Vietnam through KOTO. Skilled and experienced Australian volunteers have fulfilled roles including Kitchen Trainer, Restaurant Manager and Marketing Officer. They worked alongside counterparts from KOTO who were able to benefit from the knowledge the AYAD and VIDA volunteers shared during their assignments.
Pham, who was born in Vietnam and raised in Sydney, Australia, said, “I’m humbled by the amazing honour that has been bestowed upon me by the World Economic Forum.
“It highlights the plight of street and disadvantaged youth and vindicates the work we’re doing at KOTO, including the importance of social enterprise as a means of helping people lift themselves out of poverty and live their lives with integrity,” said Jimmy.
Professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership are among the WEF selection criteria.
Austraining International’s In Country Manager, Hoanh Thi Hanh, said, “In the ten years the AYAD and VIDA Programs in Vietnam have been partnering with KOTO, we have been fascinated to see how rewarding their volunteer assignments are. All the AYAD and VIDA assignments with KOTO have been successful due to their supportive working environment. Our volunteers have been challenged while working with the disadvantaged young people and able to contribute to them standing on their own.”
One current VIDA volunteer, Yen Tran, agrees. “I've been working at KOTO Saigon for over two years now and it's been a wonderful experience. I feel very lucky being able to support the Saigon project from the very beginning and watch it grow to what it is today, with 71 trainees (and growing) and a restaurant coming soon. I've learned so much and I'm very excited about where the project is heading.”

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