History of Friends of Hue Foundation
FHF was officially founded in May 2000 for the purpose of assisting victims of the November 1999 flood in central Vietnam, especially at ThuaThien Hue Province. This natural disaster was the worst to hit this region in the 20th century. After surveying the damage in this area, the United Nations Development Programs and local authorities confirmed that the victims of the flood would need assistance for at least 10 years before they can return to a normal existence.
In September 2000, a group of FHF’s representatives, at their own expense, visited ThuaThien Hue to start a long-term assistance program. The group included Professor James Freeman, Ms. Dang Thi Lieu, volunteer Nguyen TrungTomiko M.D. and Mr. Nguyen DinhHuu. Vietnamese officials authorized FHF to set up an office in Hue City to pursue the foundation’s charitable activities.
In its past decade of operation in Vietnam, Friends of Hue Foundation has helped numerous impoverished people in Hue to have better access to health care, education, and economic self-sufficiency. Today, it continues to help reduce poverty, increase health care access, enhance business and skills development, and implement sustainable solutions to mend communities in Hue and throughout Vietnam.
Initial Projects
- Free health care check up and medicines to 2,100 patients in Phu An Commune, Thuy Thanh commune and Phu Binh Quarter of Hue city;
- Emergency cash donations to 159 households in Phu An commune, which had been seriously affected by the great 1999 flood;
- Small interest-free loans to 25 poor households in Phu Hau quarter
- Began the process of building a shelter for orphans and disadvantaged children in Hue City
- Provided scholarships to students in poverty who could not afford further educational pursuits