Lincoln International Business School Associate Professor Hao Quach along with wife and colleague, Lecturer Linh Nguyen, have established a library within the living quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam, to promote the development of English language and culture.
Located in a residence with high percentage of young families, Hao and Linh planned and created a library with the aim of encouraging literacy, and familiarising the next generation of Vietnamese with the English language.
Utilising their own home which they left behind after their move to Lincoln, Hao and Linh were initially responsible for all related bills until the local council provided them with a more convenient space, and assumed ownership of associated costs after recognising what a valuable resource and asset the library is.
The dynamic duo have gone on to inspire a workforce of volunteers who man the facility whilst Hao and Linh have concentrated on obtaining donations of books from colleagues at Lincoln.
The library has attracted attention from local residents with social media and word of mouth recommendations. Feedback has been positive, with families happy that their children have a safe place to visit, can access materials that they may otherwise never see, and have an alternative pastime.
Whilst Hao and Linh continue to put some of their own money towards the project, their main efforts are in coordinating all the library related activities from back in Lincolnshire as well as shipping any suitable donated reading materials over 5,000 miles.
Whenever student exchanges take place, or Hao and Linh make the trip to Vietnam, any space in their luggage is consumed by books!
Hao commented: “Learning the English language, history and customs is important for the prosperity of Vietnamese people in this international economy.
“Linh initiated the idea, and we are fortunate to be able to focus our efforts on developing this Lincolnshire/Vietnam project, assisting with the education of the young people of Hanoi.
“We are always willing to accept book donations, and are particularly looking for factual historical books, rather than modern novels or topics that can easily be discovered on the internet.
“Additionally, if anyone is travelling to Hanoi and would be willing to carry some of the donated books we, and the children would be very grateful.”
