22 July 2008

Ha Noi, Viet Nam: Two private-sector volunteer experts have boosted learning at a hospitality trade school in Viet Nam via a joint programme supported by UNV and Kraft Foods Inc.

UNV and Kraft have collaborated since 2001, sending pairs of skilled volunteers to offer food processing advice and training in countries such as Ecuador, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan and Madagascar. While Kraft funds the two-week assignments and selects employees to take part, UNV assists by identifying local host organizations that will benefit. To date, 49 missions have been successfully carried out, with the participation of 91 corporate volunteers who have taken time out from their jobs to participate.

Kraft employees Cory Painter, a food scientist, and chef Steve Pylypiw spent two weeks during April 2008 assisting Hoa Sua School in Ha Noi , a non-profit organization which trains disadvantaged and disabled youth for the vocational sector. Students attend free of charge and learn about the hospitality trade, restaurant management, catering, embroidery and tailoring.

Mr. Painter and Mr. Pylypiw taught students how to make meat products such as sausages and hams, plus cheeses and bite-size cocktail party food. Mr. Painter explained that these products will be useful for Hoa Sua School in their catering business, their school restaurants, and potentially as items for sale in their bakery.

There were opportunities for the Kraft volunteers and Vietnamese students to experiment and take advantage of local produce. "For instance, we came up with a very tasty combination incorporating some blackberry jam, made by Hoa Sua, into the cream cheese," remarked Mr. Pylypiw.

For food scientist Cory Painter, the greatest excitement was the availability of special ingredients. "The fresh mango ricotta spread we made was one we wish we could replicate in the States," he explained. The Kraft volunteers also emphasized sanitation and food safety standards.

Mr. Painter and Mr. Pylypiw also enjoyed the chance for cultural exchange with both local hosts and the students themselves. "As the first week progressed the students began to really interact with us," said Mr. Pylypiw. "As we worked, the students would ask us to help them with their English."

In addition to developing the talent of Vietnamese youth, the Kraft volunteers felt they gained personally from the experience. "The degree this mission trip impacted our lives is hard to fully put into words," they commented. "It is deeply fulfilling to have the ability to travel around the world, and share our skills with an organization as wonderful as Hoa Sua School."

Kraft Foods Inc. (www.kraft.com), one of the largest branded food and beverage companies in the world, is headquartered in the United States of America and markets leading brands in more than 150 countries.

Read Mr. Painter and Mr. Pylypiw's own accounts here (UNV Viet Nam website).