🌱 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐄
𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 “𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐘” 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐔𝐎𝐈 𝐓𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑 🌱

The year 2025 marks a truly meaningful milestone for Lifestart Foundation. It was a year in which many of our charitable projects were successfully implemented, making a positive contribution to improving the quality of life and expanding educational opportunities for disadvantaged students across Vietnam.

2025 was especially significant as Lifestart Foundation was honoured with Second Prize at the 6th “Spreading Positive Energy” Competition organised by Tuoi Tre Newspaper — a valuable recognition of the Foundation’s continuous efforts and long-term commitment to the community.

With the theme “Spreading Positive Energy”, the competition carries profound humanitarian values and inspiring messages. It reminds us that life is a long journey shaped by daily efforts and contributions. Along that journey, meaningful stories and positive actions are always present — stories that deserve to be shared and spread widely within society.

Inspired by this spirit, through the competition, Lifestart Foundation would like to convey the following message:

Through its Education Scholarship Program, Lifestart Foundation invests deeply in Vietnam’s disadvantaged youth, providing long-term educational support from secondary to university levels. The program removes financial barriers by covering tuition, living, and study expenses, empowering students to focus on learning. It also offers mentoring, free English classes, and career guidance to nurture well-rounded, capable graduates. In 2018, the Foundation expanded its impact through the Medical Scholarship Program, supporting doctors and healthcare professionals pursuing higher education. From 2006 to 2014, Lifestart Foundation Free School offered education to illiterate and abandoned children, helping them rebuild their futures through knowledge and opportunity.

Lifestart Foundation sincerely thanks Tuoi Tre Newspaper for organising such a meaningful competition and for honouring the Foundation with this award. This recognition is not only a tribute to the collective efforts of Lifestart Foundation, but also to the resilience, determination, and aspirations of the students we are proud to support.

This award strengthens our confidence and motivation to remain steadfast on our chosen path, while also encouraging us to expand our educational support programs when conditions allow. More importantly, it serves as a powerful source of encouragement for us to continue connecting communities, spreading positive values, and creating sustainable educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in Central Vietnam. 💚

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𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫
𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡 (𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞) 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟏 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

Eddie was an extraordinary supporter of Lifestart Foundation's initiatives, including medical scholarships, clean water projects, life-saving medical equipment for Danang Women’s and Children’s Hospital, support for orphans, bicycle donations, and emergency food hampers. These are just some of the many wonderful donations over the years.

The Lifestart Foundation team will be forever grateful for Eddie’s unwavering support, his kindness, and his enduring legacy, where he has left provisions in his will to continue his philanthropy and the funding of future projects.

Eddie Smith, affectionately known as Eddie, was born in Coventry, UK, in 1941. Leaving school at the age of 15, he began an electrical apprenticeship that laid the foundation for his remarkable journey. In his late teens, he discovered a passion for boxing, excelling in the ring and winning most of his matches. This fighting spirit served him well in later years as he navigated the competitive Australian corporate world, where he often "punched above his weight."

In 1965, Eddie embarked on a life-changing journey to Australia. Travel at the time was an adventure; his flight took a week, stopping in South Africa, Singapore, and finally arriving in Perth, Western Australia. Wasting no time, Eddie found a job and accommodation almost immediately. He joined the Hammersley Rail Project in the remote Pilbara region, working in Dampier and living in a tent. He spent eight months at Camp 60, wiring the camp and its generators.

Eddie's next adventure took him to Saigon, Vietnam, where he worked at the airport. This experience sparked a lifelong connection to Vietnam and its people.

After gaining invaluable experience, Eddie established his own electrical contracting company, Elcos, which operated successfully from Western Australia, and expanded to Queensland. Later, he transitioned to a second highly successful career in the oil and gas industry.

Eddie faced significant health challenges, including surviving bowel cancer and, later, a major heart attack in 2009. His heart was severely damaged, requiring a transplant for long-term survival. In December 2009, he received the gift of a new heart, allowing him to embrace a new chapter of life.

Following his recovery, Eddie dedicated himself to philanthropy, supporting numerous charities both in Australia and abroad. He became a major donor to the Fiona Stanley Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation, the Fred Hollows Foundation, and many others. In 2013, Eddie founded the Karma Foundation, a registered charitable trust to support causes in Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, and Laos.

Eddie's connection to Vietnam deepened over the years, with frequent visits and hands-on involvement in philanthropic projects. His admiration for the resilience and history of the Vietnamese people fueled his efforts.

Known for his resourcefulness and intellect, Eddie combined his expertise as an electrician with astute business acumen. A self-educated and well-read man with a “get-it-done” attitude, Eddie was generous to those in need, always relating to their struggles.

Even in passing, Eddie’s generosity endures. True to his character, he established a trust fund to ensure his philanthropic legacy would continue well beyond his lifetime.

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🌟 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐂𝐘, 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 🌟

Dear Lifestart Foundation Community,

We invite you to leave a lasting impact by considering a bequest to Lifestart Foundation in your will. Your generosity can ensure that our mission continues to thrive, leaving a legacy of positive change for generations to come.

💙 Why Choose a Bequest? A bequest is a powerful way to support Lifestart Foundation. By including us in your will, you contribute to building a better future for those in need.

📜 How to Include Lifestart Foundation in Your Will:
1️⃣ Speak to your legal advisor to ensure your wishes are accurately reflected.
2️⃣ Specify Lifestart Foundation's details: [Include Lifestart Foundations legal name, address, and any specific instructions].
3️⃣ Let us know! We would love to express our gratitude and welcome you to our Legacy Circle.

🙏 Thank you for being the heartbeat of Lifestart Foundation. Together, we can create a legacy of compassion and change.

For more information or to notify us of your bequest, please visit www.lifestartfoundation.org.au or contact us directly.

#LegacyGiving #LeaveALegacy #SupportChange #LifestartFoundation #MakeADifference ... See MoreSee Less