KOTO

"Before coming to KOTO, I self researched different job areas and I found that hospitality is suitable for me. By serving customers, I will be able to gain patience and confidence in communication. The moment I walked into KOTO, I knew a new chapter was waiting for me. My job now is to seize all the opportunities I will be given. I keep my heart full of hope, that the future is going to be bright and I now have a second family to lean on."

“Before coming to KOTO, I was very shy and felt quite vulnerable. I didn't even know how to express myself. My first impression when I joined KOTO was this is a true family where everyone cares about one another, the staff and trainees are extremely friendly and helpful. I knew right away that I had landed in the right place. I started to improve my communication skills and made a great effort to learn new skills.

Coming to KOTO, I hope to be able to gain the skills to become a skillful bartender. This will provide me with the opportunity to improve my communication skills with the customers. In addition, it is a job where I can express my creativity, which is something I have always wanted to do.

"I was born into a family of 8 and life has really been a struggle for us. I have worked since I was very young but I have never given up on my pursuit of an education. The one thing that I have always been grateful for is that my family always share unconditional love with each other. That is why I have a strong motivation to live, work and learn for a better life for my family.
From the very first moment I walked into KOTO, I felt that everyone is very warm, genuine and welcoming. The elder brothers and sisters really showed their care for the new members, as if we have been a part of the family for a long time".

"I was born into a family of 9: my parents, my 6 siblings and I. My family relies primarily on my parents’ farming work to surive so we receive aid from the local government.
My hobbies are reading and singing. I also love traveling. I hope that in the future, when I have more money, I can travel to more places within Vietnam and overseas. My biggest strength is that, I like standing on a stage and singing songs. I am also able to easily convese with new people and I like to make new friends. My weakness is that, sometimes, I am a bit sensitive.
I don’t like instant and fatty food because it is not good for my health. Therefore I want to be a good chef and cook wholesome food for my family and I".

My name is Binh and I am 18 years old. I come from a rural province of Dien Bien, a mountainous area in north-west of Vietnam. Our government-certified 'in poverty' household of 3 people comprises my father, my older brother, and I. After being diagnosed with Lupus, my mother's hospital fees was extremely expensive and left a debt of $4,000, sadly after all the treatments, she still passed away in 2018.
Our only source of income is from a small rice field, which only makes $50 a month. My father is 46 years old but has already developed severe back pain from years of farming. My older brother also helps out in the field, but requires constant medication due to asthma. Becoming a KOTO trainee means the world to me as I know my family's situation will change positively after I graduate. My hobbies are listening to music, watching movies and hanging out with friends. But now I feel more positive because KOTO has given me a precious opportunity for a better future, as well as a second family. The senior trainees have been very welcoming and always help us newcomers with any issues. My classmates are also very easy to get along with. My most cherished memories are the time I spent with my mother who always loved and took good care of everyone.

''I am 17 years old. I live with my father and my grandparents. My mom left when I was 6 months old and I have never had any contact with her of even seen a picture of her. My father is a motorbike taxi driver. Sadly, he is a violent man and regularly beats me with whatever he can find. After my grandmother got sick, we had to sell the house to pay for her medical costs. My family now lives at an ancestral temple. Every summer vacation before the new school year starts, I work as a waiter or as a security guard to earn some money to help pay the remaining debt. Deep down in my heart, I always treasure my good fortune when I see some people who do not even have a roof to stay out of the hot sun or out of rain. They do not even have the means to manage full board. I came to KOTO with the hope of a brighter future for myself and my family".

"I am 19 years old. I was born in a family of 7 people: my grandparents, my parents, my 2 siblings and me. My father works as a construction worker. He is a violent man and addicted to alcohol. My mom does the hired jobs to get an unstable income and she burnt almost of that in to the gamble. My elder brother indulges in pleasure. When seeing my family's situation, I think that, there is no way out for me to be released from it but education. And KOTO has really given me that precious chance".

       

"I don’t know anything about my father. My elder brother and I used to wander from place to place with my mother. It was a really hard time for us. When I was 8 years old, my mother sent us to a children's shelter. When I heard about the KOTO training program, I knew this was the right place for me.  I applied to KOTO in the previous intake but I was not able to demonstrate my determination. This year, after much thought and determining my life goals and was able to prove my strong motivation and commitment to KOTO and the studies, I was accepted. I feel so lucky to have been accepted this time. KOTO provides me with an amazing opportunity to create a brighter future for myself".

"I was born into a family of 6 in a remote area. We are totally reliant on the income from the farm to support us. We are recognized as a semi-poverty household and receive monthly financial support from the government.

My hobbies are painting, cooking and decorating things. I love art and I am pretty handy. I really like creating new things from old and unwanted items that people can enjoy. This, I consider to be my proudest strength. However, sometimes, I do not have faith in my own abilities and this makes me hesitant. I rarely express myself, and I am afraid to communicate with new people.

My feeling is KOTO is the right place for me to start my dream. Joining this family, I have opportunities to study and raise my awareness of the possibilities available. KOTO provides me with a solid foundation to build upon the kindness of every member - the trainees, the teachers, the volunteers and more. Therefore, I feel like I am back in my real home again".

"I am from a family of 4 but in 2017, my father passed away because of cancer. After that, my mum, my two younger siblings and I moved to live in my Uncle's house. We did many jobs in order to make a living. My mom sells vegetables, my younger brother works as a towel wrapper and my younger sister works as a waitress. Despite us all working hard, our total income was around 250USD per month and therefore was not enough for us to cover all the living expenses. I applied KOTO in 2017, but at that time, our family situation was too difficult so I delayed starting to support my mom by working. I study here because I know my future ahead of me is far different to what I have been through".

"I have 3 siblings. My mother often gambled and amassed huge debts. She left suddenly and we have no idea where she is now. For many years, my father avoided a 20 year jail senetence but in 2011, he finally decided to complete his sentence. My 3 siblings and I lived with our grandparents. My eldest brother works to support our grandparents to raise us.
I usually spend my free time reading books and watching TV programs which relate to life skills. I love listening to music. When I listen to my favorite songs and I like to sing along.
I believe that, to make others happy, you need to make yourself happy first. Therefore, I will try my best to optimize the chance that KOTO has given me and be a happy person".

"I do not know much about my father, since he left before my mother delivered me into this world. My mother is now in the Hanoi drug rehabilitation centre No. 2. The Supporting Center No.3 raised me until I was 18. Before joining KOTO, I was living with my aunt and my grandmother and working as a waiter in a coffee shop.
My hobbies are playing soccer, learning English and dancing. I am also keen on learning by observing and following others. Sometimes, I see that I am easily embarrassed and often procrastinate, which I know can prevent me from achieving my fullest potential. Now, I am starting to think about all the difficulties that my mother and I have gone through to push myself in situations where I feel uncomfortable or when I start to procrastinate. I believe that you have to start your task to come closer to reaching your goal. ".

"My grandmother played an important part in my life, without her, I will not be where I am today. I lived in a pagoda for a while. Her love is what kept me going throughout all these years. Her strength inspired me to go on, to fight for a better future. She is the biggest blessing of my life. She taught to be always grateful, to live a life of love and purpose. If I had one wish, I always want her to be happy and healthy."

"I told my brothers that I wanted to get a job as soon as possible, so I could start making money. They told me off for that naive and immature thought. My brothers regretted not having the privilege to study more and reminded me to never take any learning opportunities for granted. That memory taught me one thing, that as human beings, everyone has this eagerness to learn more and more. And I think, it is a beautiful struggle we have, wanting to know so much about the world around us."

"My parents divorced when I was very young. My younger sister and I had to live with my grandmother; we did not receive any support from my parents after the divorce, and our life was really difficult. My grandmother wasn't able to two grandchildren, so I was sent to Light and Warm House when I was 11 years old. I worked in a restaurant in Cao Thang street. I dream to one day become a professional chef so I can explore the hospitality world and also able to support my family."

"The biggest lesson I have learnt is to appreciate every single thing around me. This dusty motorbike, this beautiful lightweight bicycle, the greenest garden with a bunch of fresh herbs and vegetables, this old television, the gifted cooker, and of course, the 153-square meter house that sheltered me as I slept come rain or shine. It is kind of different, isn’t it?"

"Even though I up without a family, I think I am still luckier than people I met during my time with disabled people. I appreciate the time I spent with them, they showed me the different colours of their lives. Fortunately, in this very sad family situation, I still found the positive energy to live through those years, to be humorous and friendly."

"I have a dream to become a chef. So, during the summer vacation, I worked part-time as a waiter in a small restaurant. In my spare time, I read books and watch news about food and the catering process to enhance my knowledge. Additionally, I accumulated much practical experience such as working as a waiter in Pho 24, just to realise my dream."

"I am the youngest in the family. My elder brother left home and we have no clue where he is. My elder sister is still attending school. Unfortunately, my mum suffers from cranial neuropathy and does not recognize us at times. I never knew the reason for my brother's leaving. Maybe he could not handle the pressure with mum? Maybe he wanted to start a new life and pursue his own happiness?"

"Although life was hard, my dad always taught me and my brother to be a good person. Therefore, I grew up with love to do good things and always try to help people to the best of my ability. I really miss my dad now and also I want to keep him staying with us longer. I cherish the opportunity KOTO has offered me."