Crafternoon brings Christmas cheer to kids in Vietnam 2022

Stories of #GoodChange

December 2022

Crafternoon brings Christmas cheer
to kids in Vietnam

December 14, 2022

It’s that time of the year when most of us are buzzing about between end-of-year celebrations, procrastinating on Santa decorations and gift purchases for our loved ones or preparing our family Christmas event and meal list for get-togethers.

In areas like Quang Bình District in Ha Giang Province in Vietnam, however, most families are trying to rebuild their houses and farms after the devastation from floods and landslides earlier in September 2022.

With the average family living on less than US$150 a month and agriculture as their primary source of food and income, this means that several kids in Quang Bình District have never experienced the joy of Christmas or receiving gifts.

In early December at the Christmas Crafternoon, kids and grown ups sat together at Croydon Park Club, Croydon Park, NSW to decorate Santa sacks that will be packed with warm clothes, rice, and school materials to send to kids in Quang Bình District.

Equipped with colourful paints, pens, glue sticks, and craft materials, participants spent the afternoon letting their creativity flow all while keeping the benefitting kids in mind. A Christmas raffle was also held to spark some fun and raise more funds for the cause. Overall, the Crafternoon event gathered a total of 50 participants and raised funds that will provide 150 kids with the much-needed Santa sacks this year.

Every donation, every purchase are helping these families. I think it’s so important that [kids] see that it’s not all about receiving and it’s more important and I think you get more about giving.

It’s a good feeling to be able to do something for kids not as fortunate as our own. It’s a lovely afternoon with families and children, and people we know and we don’t know. We [had] a great time.

I felt like we could really make a difference – even though it could have been just a small difference, I felt like we could make as much difference. We were able to get children to realise what’s happening besides just what’s there in Australia, because I think, it’s important for the future generations to really understand that, to not just be in a bubble of one continent but to know what’s happening in the world

At Good Neighbours Australia, we are so happy to see our community—kids and adults alike—making this season more meaningful by supporting kids affected by flood in Quang Bình District.

We are deeply humbled and grateful for the generosity of our participants and the hard work of our staff and volunteers during the Crafternoon event.

We are delighted to see our community of kids and grownups come together, unleashing their creativity and spreading joy this Christmas season.

On behalf of our team at Quang Bình District, and the kids and families from Quang Bình District, we send our warmest thanks for your creativity, generosity and donations of support.