Help KOTO Empower, Train and Employ Underprivileged Vietnamese Streetkids

It’s said that food bridges cultural divides, and transcends language. These sentiments couldn’t ring truer in Auckland, a city celebrating a growing number of international cuisine, catalysing a number of fusion inspirations, and an army of loyal foodies.

On the other side of the world, Vietnam’s KOTO restaurants employ food to empower homeless and disadvantaged youth. Well known to the country’s tourists, and decidedly well respected in the international community, the social enterprise also runs an online bakery, cooking class, and catering service.

Goal:

- Inspire New Zealanders through interaction with the ‘Know One: Teach One’ social enterprise model.

- Raise funds for KOTO foundation.

WHAT IS KOTO?

KOTO stands for ‘Know One, Teach One.’ It is a social enterprise manifest in a two restaurants with adjoined training centres, across Hanoi and Saigon, with an aim to educate and empower impoverished Vietnamese youth. Together, these centres are educating 200 underprivileged students at a time.

With over 600 graduates, KOTO encourages the ‘Know One, Teach One’ cycle to work in perpetuity, supporting those educated in the system to educate others. Many graduates also spearhead KOTO Social Enterprise endeavours, which generate income to support operational costs, as well as improving KOTO’s capacity to train more students.

WHO IS BEHIND KOTO?

The man behind the mission is Jimmy Pham. Born in Vietnam, Jimmy emigrated with his mother and four older siblings in 1970, settling into Australia in 1980. Coming to study travel and tourism, he returned home to Vietnam in 1996 as a tour guide.

It wasn’t long before he recognised underprivileged kids populating the streets of Hanoi. He started feeding the at-risk youth, but dwelled on a way to help and empower them, in such a way that he could ensure their lives were on a trajectory to independence and personal success.

In 1999, he opened the first iteration of KOTO, employing nine street youths to run a small sandwich stall. It grew, and grew, and Jimmy achieved his goals of opening a cooking school, and a restaurant. Hundreds of KOTO graduates now occupy well-paid jobs.

WHY DID WE BRINGING KOTO TO AUCKLAND?

Last year, we met Jimmy during his visit to Auckland, hosted by the Asia NZ Foundation. It was here that the idea to bring a slice of KOTO to the people of Auckland was born; to raise awareness of the initiative and its social enterprise model, to forge lasting relationships with the foundation, and to get some beautiful, authentic Vietnamese cuisine in your hands.

HOW DID WE DO IT?

We brought Jimmy and nine of the KOTO team to Auckland. With flights, accommodation, and logistical costs for, the bill sits at approximately $22,000. With the help of friends and sponsors we have already raised some of this money, but are extremely excited at the prospect of raising more to go back to Vietnam where it will aid the growth and success of the amazing KOTO programme.

The profits raised here, as well as the proceeds from KOTO food sales at Taste of Auckland, will be going back with the team to Vietnam, to help further the mission of getting kids off the street, through the kitchen, and into a life full of opportunity.