Trek Vietnam for a helping hand.

The Good Beginnings Trek for a Helping Hand is a great cause to help disadvantaged Australian children to start school ready to learn. Disadvantaged children can start school with half the literacy and language skills of other children.

Good Beginnings Australia is a national children’s charity building better outcomes for children in vulnerable communities through effective early intervention programs.

Good Beginnings programs range from supported playgroups through to intensive family support, from early learning and school readiness programs through to volunteer family support.

In May 2012, a group of inspired people will undertake the Trek for a Helping Hand adventure in Vietnam to raise funds for a new Good Beginnings program helping disadvantaged kids start school ready to learn – the Learn2Grow Early Years Learning Project.

Key elements of Learn2Grow include the development of literacy kits, a library program, regular literacy sessions involving parents, supported play group sessions, speech pathology support, a supported transition to school, and links to complementary services including maternal child health.

This is your chance to visit a land of dynasties and revolutions, of calm rice paddies and commanding rivers, of conical hats and daring cuisine. This is your chance to visit Vietnam, a country where driving for a couple of hours invites a whole new physical landscape and fascinating historical past. This is your chance to experience Vietnam in the most personal way. In addition to this you will have the opportunity to spend two days in a local charity volunteering directly with children. This is your chance to do it all while you support the amazing work of Good Beginnings Australia.

Children who have positive early childhood experiences before the age of 6, in stimulating, nurturing environments, have better outcomes throughout their life – better self esteem, higher education, improved health, and the ability to lead happy lives. Every $1 invested in early intervention returns up to $16 to the child and to society. Good Beginnings is a national charity building better outcomes for children in vulnerable communities through effective early intervention programs. Since 1997, Good Beginnings has helped more than 40,000 young children and their families.

You can get involved either by joining the trek and fundraising, or by donating to Good Beginnings Australia. To join the trek, call Helen on 1300 905 188 (you can also visit www.helpinghandvietnam.com.au for more information). To donate and help Australian children in need, go to www.goodbeginnings.org.au/donate.