Helping hands … An Pham, president and members of the Vietnamese and Chinese Elderly Association in the West banded together to raise almost $5000. 59621 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Natalie Gallenti
Members of the Vietnamese and Chinese Elderly Association in the West raised $4517 in less than two weeks from big-hearted donations.
Spokesperson for the group Que Van Ngo said after seeing what had happened on the news they knew they had to do their part to help their fellow Australians.
“We felt very sorry for the people,” Mr Ngo said.
“It’s very important to help each other. We feel like we are giving back to the Australian community after they have given us so much.”
The group which has nearly 3000 members, mostly from the western suburbs, provides Vietnamese and Chinese residents with the tools to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Mr Ngo, who spoke on behalf of president An Pham, said the group offered elderly residents a chance to get out of their home and enjoy picnics, excursions and even interstate holidays.
“We provide them with help to keep their Vietnamese culture, but also easily adapt to Australian culture.”
Members of the group meet every Tuesday at the Migrant Resource Centre in St Albans from 9am and every Thursday at the Errington Community Centre from 9am.
