SCC’S Vocational programme in District 4 and the photography project

Saigon Children’s Charity Vocational Training School supports 425 disadvantaged children aged 12-18 in District 4, one of the poorest areas in Ho Chi Minh City. The school provides vocational training skills such as English, Computer Training and Hairdressing as well as classes in Art and Photography.  All courses are free of charge. Each year, the school places about 30 students in jobs and apprenticeships as well as into higher education. Already many former students are at work in hotels, restaurants and hairdressing salons around Ho Chi Minh City making their way independently and successfully in the world.
The photography course began in 1999. It has grown considerably since then. Every year the best photos produced by the photography class are exhibited. We have exhibited pictures in London, Hong Kong, Munich, Lucerne and Melbourne and held a very successful exhibition in Singapore in 2006. It has been our wish to repeat this and we are delighted that the Arts House has once again offered to help host the show.

Objectives of the exhibition:

• Promote the work of Saigon Children’s Charity in Singapore and develop closer relationships with existing and new supporters – individuals and companies
• Bring to a wider audience the talent and enthusiasm of Vietnamese children

Beneficiaries:

• All students aged from 12-18 years old take part in the photography project at Thang Long Vocational Training School in district 4, Saigon.
• New and aspiring young Singaporean artists currently supported by the Business Times Budding Artist Fund

Theme

There will be 45 colour and black and white photographs displayed in the exhibition. The pictures exhibited are of extremely high quality, cover a variety of subjects and all show a fascinating insight into the lives of young Vietnamese children and the world as seen through their eyes.

Activities

There will be an opening ceremony with light refreshments and drinks for invited guests at 7:00pm on the night of 21 August 2008. The exhibition will continue at the Arts House until 27th August (free admission).
Photographs will be on sale in the opening evening and for the duration of the exhibition. Guests are offered chances to sponsor children of Saigon Children’s Charity scholarship programme to keep on their schooling.