Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long has Lifestart Foundation been supporting families in Vietnam?
A. Since 2000 - 7 years
Q. How many families has Lifestart Foundation helped?
A. A lot! We started with 1 family. We now have in excess of 100 families that we are currently supporting.
Q. How are funds allocated to families - do some families get more help than others?
A. Each family's needs are assessed at the outset. This helps us to identify and prioritize the support that each family receives. The level of support does vary, although basic support such as regular donations of rice is required by many. Other main areas of support include children's education, medical treatment, self-sufficiency initiatives - for example, animal breeding programs and provision of fishing boats and nets which generate income; bicycles to enable families to travel to work and school and many other basic items that families just can't afford themselves.
Q. How much of the money that's donated actually goes to the families
A. 100%. All lifestart Foundation volunteers are self-funded. Additional expenses are kept to a minimum and funds to cover these costs are raised separately.
Q. How can I become a Lifestart Foundation volunteer?
A. There are 2 main ways you can help support Lifestart Foundation:
  1. If you have skills in any of the areas listed on our wishlist page and can volunteer your services and time free of charge
  2. By attending our fundraising events.
Q. I'm going to Vietnam for a holiday - can I visit the Lifestart Foundation Free School in Hoi An while I'm there?
A. The aim of our Free School is similar to that in schools across the world - to provide a safe, stimulating, happy environment in which the children can learn. In compliance with stringent government guidelines with respect to the protection of children in our care, the school is not open to visitors at any time.
Q. We are traveling to Vietnam and would like to take donation items with us. Who do we leave these donations with when we get there?
A. You can contact Karen Leonard here to arrange a "drop off" point in Hoi An.
Q. If I make a donation to a specific family or individual will I receive regular updates?
A. Our priority is to spend the maximum amount of time providing direct support to families and to minimize the amount of time and money spent on administration. As you will appreciate if we were to send out individual updates this would greatly reduce the time spent with those who need it most. Whilst you won't receive updates on specific individuals or families updates on all areas of sponsorship are provided regularly via Karen's travelblogs.

Minimizing time spent on administration is also why we are able to guarantee that 100% of money donated goes directly to the families and individuals in Vietnam.