Singapore Airlines supports charities

December 15, 2012 | 11:57

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Singapore Airlines has helped KOTO, a vocational training charity for street and disadvantaged youths in Vietnam, in fund raising.

The carrier transported 20 KOTO trainees from Vietnam to the Lion city on December 12 at low fares and they will fly Singapore Airlines back on December 18 at the minimal fares.

Singapore Airlines in Vietnam general manager Erwin Widjaja said the fares were “very special” ones to support KOTO’s first fund raising activities in Singapore during their stay.

“We’re very happy to be able to help in a small way disadvantaged Vietnamese youths to realize their dreams. It is also a small gesture of giving something back to the local society on the occasion of our 20th anniversary. We wish the youths a successful event in Singapore,” he said.

Jimmy Pham, founder and executive chairman of KOTO International, said “We’d like to thank Singapore Airlines for making the trip possible and putting great trust in KOTO’s commitment of changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youths in Vietnam.”

Among the 20 KOTO trainees on duty, 11 departed from Ho Chi Minh City and the others left from Hanoi. Just before departing Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, the disadvantaged youths from the city made a tour at Vietnam Air Caterers to see the company’s in-flight kitchen facilities and how it prepares air meals.

Established in 1999 by Vietnamese – Australian Jimmy Pham, KOTO has grown from a small sandwich shop in Hanoi to a 200-trainee capacity, multi-location hospitality programme internationally accredited by Box Hill Institute in Australia.

By Tuong Thuy

vir.com.vn

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