Media
Patron of poor builds a future
Star - 28 June 2005
By Mario Xuereb
A TIRELESS supporter of Vietnam's poorest children is holding a fundraiser in Footscray this month.
Karen Leonard, who has made improving the lives of Vietnamese street kids and orphans her mission, hopes the dinner dance and charity auction will raise much-needed funds.
An inaugural dinner held last year raised more than $15,000.
Ms Leonard's Lifestart Foundation has used the money to turn around hundreds of lives since starting up five years ago.
Ms Leonard has focussed on making rural communities self-sufficient and getting street kids on the straight and narrow.
In the last 12 months, 24 families in central Vietnam have had dilapidated homes upgraded, youths placed in apprenticeships and orphans placed in schools.
The Essendon mum and music teacher's next effort is establishing a Vietnamese language school for kids.
"The government there has given us use of a building," Ms Leonard told Star.
"So this is a chance to give these kids a future."
Years in Vietnam have made Ms Leonard acutely aware of the problems young people face and more resolute about helping. She says children miss out on school because they need to supplement their families' income.
Ms Leonard works to get young people trained and into stable employment.
This year's event will be held on 30 July at 501 Receptions in Barkly St.
To book, contact Karen Leonard on 9331 2540 or 0402 132 432.