History/Background
How The Organisation Began
Between 1969 and 1970, a Vietnam Veteran by the name of Dennis Edwards, along with some fellow servicemen, built a swing set for a local orphanage in Ba Ria. This was close to the main Australia base of Nui Dat. Forty three years on, Dennis Edwards returned to Vietnam to find the swing set still standing and being enjoyed by the children at the same orphanage. This was to be the humble beginnings of a sponsorship program, whereby The Edwards family sponsored some children at the orphanage, with some financial aid and food.
Each year the donations began to rise, as a few additional sponsors came on board. While the original role of the group was to aid financial support and food, it was soon realized that the needs of the orphanages extended far beyond. The greatest area of need was the education scholarship program, which was commenced in 2009. Each year a greater financial commitment was made and sponsorship continued to rise. Today, DOVES sponsors children in four different pagodas, in five different locations.
Sadly, the founder of the education sponsorship program and Vietnam Veteran who began our mission, Dennis Edwards passed away in December 2013 losing his battle to an aggressive brain tumour. However, Dennis’ passion for aiding his cause did not end there. Incredibly, in a generous act of humanity he bequeathed a sum of money of finish the good work he had begun. First and foremost, these funds money will be used to finish the education of the four children Dennis was sponsoring. One of these children includes a five year old boy by the name of Tam, who Dennis found abandoned in a garbage bin outside Phat Buu Pagoda as a newborn in April 2011. We are indebted to Dennis for his generosity as Tam will now begin school this 2015/2016 year and will be supported through to Year 12 along with the three other children.
Following Dennis Edwards death a regrouping transpired. Consequent rebranding (including name change) occurred in June 2015 and DOVES was formed to continue Dennis' legacy by Peter Fryers (former Vietnam Veteran) who has undertaken the work of Director. Peter Fryers involvement in the cause dated back prior to 2012 when he joined Dennis Edwards on a sponsor's tour to the pagodas.
DOVES have a strong committee of members, who have assisted throughout the transition stages and have strengthened our commitments to the organization. Our new logo and website represent the first stage in our redevelopment. However, our main focus remains the creation of a sustainable and greater commitment to the disadvantaged and orphaned children’s education in the southern and central provinces of Vietnam. Education is of course a chance which many of us in Australia take for granted.
DOVES continue to seek additional help in the form of individual, family and corporate sponsorship. Our ongoing mission is to try and give these children a better chance at life, by assisting with the costs associated with their education. The implementation of the education scholarship program has been so successful it now remains the core priority of DOVES. We have acquired additional sponsors through our grassroots and word of mouth approach and are now appealing to the wider community.
The significant aims of DOVES include bringing education and a quality of life within reach of the less privileged children of Vietnam. We support these children from their first year of education, through to the completion of their high school years. The education costs vary depending on the students' year levels, ranging from 103,000.00 dong (approximately $66 AUD) to 1,290,000.00 dong (approximately $80AUD).
With need still outweighing our current sponsorship, we have ongoing requirements for individuals, families and corporations to come on board as sponsors. All sponsorship money paid goes directly towards education, food and special needs in Vietnam. We are always welcoming of new sponsors or interested parties contacting our Director, Peter Fryers.
We hope that you may consider joining us in our pursuits of a better life, through our education sponsorship program for the disadvantaged and orphans of Vietnam.
Get in touch
DOVES
210/166 Rouse Street
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
AUSTRALIA
+61 407 547 901