Projects

Blue Dragon Running and Football Club/ Étoile de Romain

Blue Dragon’s running activities have had a significant impact on children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, including young people who were once homeless or have experienced human trafficking and exploitation.

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About The Project

Since its humble beginnings in 2003, Blue Dragon has emerged as a formidable catalyst for positive change on the streets of Vietnam. Operating in bustling urban centers and impoverished rural areas, the organization is dedicated to offering children and families in crisis the opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty. Blue Dragon focuses on delivering practical solutions to the everyday challenges that perpetuate poverty, empowering individuals to build brighter futures.

Every Tuesday and Friday, Blue Dragon organizes football activities for 50 street children and youth aged 10 to 18. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for these young individuals to engage in the transformative power of football. In a safe and nurturing environment, they learn essential skills while cultivating values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. With three hours dedicated to each session, the program serves as a consistent outlet for physical fitness, confidence-building, and building meaningful relationships with peers and social workers.

At the end of each year, two football events are organized, featuring friendly matches and opportunities for the young participants to showcase their talents. The support from Help for Hope will contribute to the success of these events by providing snacks, drinks, and fun prizes such as football cups, enhancing the overall experience for the children and youth involved.

Furthermore, the Blue Dragon Running Club, founded on July 14, 2020, creates a community for homeless children and survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. With an average of 70 participants annually, aged 8 to 18, the club fosters solidarity, trust, and skill development among its members. The program includes running practices, psychological counseling, health checks, life skills, and leadership development.

The Running Club provides necessary running gear for every member, including trail running shoes, windbreaker jackets, and flags. Small groups of 16-17 participants meet once or twice a week, with additional support to participate in external races. Thanks to Help for Hope, three hill running training trips are organized annually to prepare the young runners for competitions.

Members of the Running Club receive nutritional support throughout the year, including meals, snacks, and drinks during and after practices. This sustained assistance ensures the overall well-being and health of the participants.

With these, Blue Dragon is seeking your support the rental of football fields, purchase uniforms for players, and cover the costs of organizing the two annual football events.

By supporting Blue Dragon’s Football and Running Club initiatives, you will contribute to the physical, mental, and emotional development of disadvantaged youth, providing them with opportunities for growth, camaraderie, and a brighter future.

 

Make a donation here:

 

Help for Hope Joins Blue Dragon in a Three-Year Initiative for Youth Empowerment Through Sports

This project is done in memory of Mme Ruth Wickenhauser whose wish was to fund a project in Vietnam for children in need.

With assistance from Help for Hope, in 2023 Blue Dragon’s running activities have had a significant impact on children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, including young people who were once homeless or have experienced human trafficking and exploitation. Sports engagement activities such as running and playing football provide a strong connection, allowing these young people to feel secure, engage in play, and gradually build trust with our social workers to open and express themselves.

As we continue to maximize the effectiveness of the 2023 project, Blue Dragon invites Help for Hope to support the operation of the Blue Dragon Running Club and Football Activity for the next three years, starting from July 2024 to June 2027.

This support will ensure sustainable continuity for these innovative initiatives that help young people build bright futures. Specifically, your donation would enable over 120 street children and survivors of human trafficking to participate in these sports activities every year, building their confidence and life skills for a better future.

Every Tuesday and Friday, Blue Dragon hosts football activities for a total of 50 street children and youth aged 10 to 18, providing them with a wonderful opportunity to engage in the sport.

Understanding the transformative power of football, we create a safe and nurturing environment where these young people can come together and experience the joy of playing the game. These activities teach young people essential football skills while cultivating important values like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

By dedicating three hours per week to this activity, children and youth have a consistent and reliable outlet for physical fitness, confidence-building, and forming meaningful relationships with their peers and Blue Dragon’s social workers.

At the end of the year, two football events are organised. The events feature friendly matches and plenty of opportunities for young people to showcase the talents cultivated throughout the year-long practice. The contribution of Help for Hope can provide snacks, drinks, and fun prizes such as football cups, boosting the success of the event and encouraging these young people.

Budget Summary for Blue Dragon Sports and Running Club Activities

This budget outlines the financial requirements for the Blue Dragon Football and Running Club activities. The total annual budget is $10,226, and the total project budget for three years is $30,678. Here’s a breakdown of the expenses:

Blue Dragon Football Activity:

  1. Field Rent:
    • Unit Cost: VND 4,800,000/month
    • Quantity: 12 months
    • Total Project Budget: VND 57,600,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $2,504
  2. Uniforms:
    • Unit Cost: VND 200,000/set
    • Quantity: 50 sets
    • Total Project Budget: VND 10,000,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $435
  3. Parking Fee at the Field:
    • Unit Cost: VND 1,350,000/month
    • Quantity: 12 months
    • Total Project Budget: VND 16,200,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $704
  4. Football Event:
    • Unit Cost: VND 2,500,000/event
    • Quantity: 2 events
    • Total Project Budget: VND 5,000,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $217

Blue Dragon Running Club:

  1. Running Gear for Kids:
    • Windbreaker Jacket: VND 250,000/jacket (60 jackets)
    • Trail Running Shoes: VND 1,250,000/pair (60 pairs)
    • Flags 60×20 cm: VND 80,000/flag (30 flags)
    • Total Project Budget: VND 92,400,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $4,017
  2. Nutrition Support for Children:
    • Unit Cost: VND 2,000,000/month
    • Quantity: 12 months
    • Total Project Budget: VND 24,000,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $1,043
  3. Hill Running Training:
    • Total Trip Cost: VND 10,000,000/trip (3 trips)
    • Total Project Budget: VND 30,000,000
    • Total Budget (USD): $1,304

Total Annual Budget: $10,226

Total Project Budget (3 Years): $30,678

Note: All costs are provided in Vietnamese Dong (VND) and US Dollars (USD).

Étoile de Romain: "Pour que l'étoile de Romain continue à illuminer la vie des enfants dans le besoins"

En mémoire de Romain, Help for Hope dédie ce sous-projet à son honneur.
Pour que son étoile continue à illuminer la vie des enfants dans le besoin.

Ce projet consiste à faire un don au projet Blue Dragon Runners Club afin que tous ses membres puissent aller à l’école, bénéficier d’un soutien de santé et voir leurs besoins fondamentaux couverts.

 

A propos de Blue Dragon:

Depuis ses humbles débuts en 2003, Blue Dragon est devenu un formidable catalyseur de changement positif dans les rues du Viêt Nam. Opérant dans des centres urbains animés et des zones rurales appauvries, l’organisation se consacre à offrir aux enfants et aux familles en crise la possibilité de sortir du cycle de la pauvreté. Blue Dragon s’efforce d’apporter des solutions pratiques aux problèmes quotidiens qui perpétuent la pauvreté, en donnant aux individus les moyens de se construire un avenir meilleur.

 

Avec l’aide de Help for Hope, en 2023, les activités de course à pied de Blue Dragon ont eu un impact significatif sur les enfants et les jeunes issus de milieux défavorisés, y compris les jeunes qui ont été sans abri ou qui ont été victimes de la traite et de l’exploitation des êtres humains. Les activités sportives telles que la course à pied et le football créent un lien fort, permettant à ces jeunes de se sentir en sécurité, de jouer et d’établir progressivement une relation de confiance avec nos travailleurs sociaux afin de s’ouvrir et de s’exprimer.

 

Meci pour votre donation.

 

HELP-FOR-HOPE

Chemin de Mallieu 15

1009 Pully

 

IBAN (e-banking format):
CH4200767000K51165422

IBAN (standard format):
IBAN CH42 00767 000K 5116 5422

Bank address:
Banque Cantonale Vaudoise

Clearing National:
767

SWIFT/BIC:
BCVLCH2LXXX

Votre don peut apporter de l'espoir aux enfants du Viêt Nam

À l’âge de trois ans, Luc vivait dans la rue avec sa mère et son frère âgé d’un an. Ils mendiaient de l’argent pour survivre, mais le simple fait d’arriver au lendemain était un combat.

La pauvreté a été un fardeau récurrent pendant les dix premières années de la vie de Luc. Ses parents n’ayant pas de revenus fiables, le simple fait de le nourrir, lui et ses frères et sœurs, était presque impossible.

Comme Luc n’avait pas les documents nécessaires pour aller à l’école, il était peu probable qu’il échappe un jour au cycle de la pauvreté.
Dragon Bleu est intervenu lorsque Luc s’est retrouvé à la rue pour la deuxième fois de sa courte vie. Travaillant tard dans la nuit pour vendre des bonbons aux passants, Luc était épuisé.

Grâce à la générosité de nos donateurs, Luc a enfin eu un endroit sûr où rester et de la nourriture dans son ventre. On l’a également aidé à s’inscrire à l’école de son quartier.
Avec un endroit où il peut se sentir chez lui, Luc est comme un nouveau garçon. Chaque nuit, il passe une bonne nuit de sommeil. Chaque jour, il mange des repas nourrissants. Aujourd’hui âgé de 11 ans, il est visiblement en meilleure santé, plus actif et plus énergique. Au lieu de redouter le lendemain, Luc a retrouvé le goût de vivre.

Il est enthousiaste à l’idée d’apprendre. Qu’il s’agisse de courir, de nager, de danser ou de jouer du piano, il n’y a pas une activité que Luc n’ait envie d’essayer.
Voici ce qu’il dit lui-même : “Venir à Blue Dragon, c’est tellement amusant ! Je mange bien, tout a bon goût. Je dors bien. Et je vais à l’école à l’heure. Je suis très heureux.

Chaque enfant doit pouvoir dormir en toute sécurité et en toute sérénité la nuit, en sachant qu’il y aura des repas nutritifs pour lui le lendemain. Chaque enfant doit savoir ce que l’on ressent lorsqu’on est chez soi. D’appartenir à un groupe. Chaque enfant devrait savoir ce que c’est que d’être un enfant.

 

rencontrer Luc

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Thanks to Help for Hope, Blue Dragon is able to continue the football and running clubs, which help children and youth build resilience and life skills for better futures. Here’s a glimpse at how your support is transforming lives.

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Thanks to Help for Hope, Blue Dragon is able to continue our football and running clubs, which help children and youth build resilience and life skills for better futures. Here’s a glimpse at how your support is transforming lives. We Helped 50 children and youth build their skills through 44 football matches, ensured 40 children and youth having adequate resources for their running activities, and provided psychological counselling, health checks, life skills and leadership development to 90 children and youth in the football and running clubs.

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Football isn't just a sport; it's a powerful tool for building essential life skills. Blue Dragon’s Football Club has helped children and youth participating manage their stress better while fostering positive behaviour changes. They've seen improvements in their emotional management, leadership, and teamwork skills. Thanks to Help for Hope, Blue Dragon has organised 44 football matches this year. One child shared that he couldn’t imagine his life without football. Football has gradually replaced his old habits, like gaming, and helped him shape a better future.

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Hip, a Blue Dragon former kid, joins the football activity to support other kids.

Former children who once benefited from football now give back by assisting other kids in this club. They help by refereeing matches for younger children and supporting Blue Dragon staff in organising activities. Many of them feel that they are making a meaningful contribution. One former kid shared that he never thought he could help others this way. This realisation has inspired him to sharpen his skills to help more children.

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“In the past, when I lived on the streets, I always felt tired, discouraged, and lacked motivation. Since I moved to the Blue Dragon shelter, I have been getting enough food and sleep and participating in sports activities. The first activity I joined was football."

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"During the first week, I was exhausted from playing, but I adapted and became accustomed to the training over time. Now, I feel much healthier, and my mood is more stable. Football has taught me to be more determined to study hard towards my vocational training and future goals.”

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The Running Club saw significant progress with support from Blue Dragon youth. We organised one trail running practice session in a Hanoi suburb, which engaged 30 children, and held weekly Monday runs with an average of 15 participants. The club members also joined different running events to sharpen their skills and build confidence. The highlights were the March 2024 5km race, where 21 children from the VUM project competed for the first time, and the October 2024 Bac Son ultra trail race, with ten children participating. Former children also supported the children along the way.

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The running club kids enjoy an energy boost during a running session.

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For some kids in the running club, joining the VUM 5km race was their very first experience of participating in a race.

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The Bac Son Ultra Trail 2024 is a great opportunity for youth to build stamina and resilience.

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Blue Dragon has procured additional small- sized shirts for our younger participants. The designs have already been finalised, and we have 30 shirts for next year’s running races. Encouragement is a key to helping children and youth keep moving forward. Blue Dragon gives personal water bottles to children who show great commitment and organises monthly parties to share joy and foster connection. In addition, we plan to provide shoes to children and youth who have shown a commitment to training for 6 months or more. Blue Dragon will also organise more running trips in the upcoming time, including a small competition for children divided into age groups.

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ENSURING CHILDREN AND YOUTH’S WELL-ROUNDED DEVELOPMENT

In the Blue Dragon Football club and Running club, most children and youth are ex-street children, accounting for 60%. The remaining ones are survivors of human trafficking (10%) and children with disabilities (30%). Blue Dragon aims to help them become self- reliant. To achieve this, we provide them with not only sports activities but also psychological counselling, health checks, life skills and leadership development for their comprehensive development. Here are some activities the children and youth have actively participated in over the last six months.