Benjamin Croucher, teacher of George School received Certificate of Contribution (Photo: P.Y)

At the event, Vice President, General Secretary of VUFO, Don Tuan Phong acknowledged the contribution of George School to Vietnam – US friendship, especially, the first remarkable visit of George School to Vietnam in June, 1996 via the introduction of Vietnam – USA Society (VUS).

He stressed the role of 19 George School’s delegation in the visit to learn Vietnamese people, culture and history for bridging the peace and friendship between two countries.

Moreover, he also appreciated three inpiduals Ralph Lelii, Carter Sio and Cheryl Mellor for their contribution to cultivate the relation between George School and VUS in over 20 years

On behalf of George School, Benjamin Croucher, Head of History department expressed his thank to VUFO and VUS for the award . He also recalled the begining of the George School – Vietnam relation in the 90s when Ralph Lelii started contacting VUS via the introduction of Lady Borton – one of Vietnam’s dearest American friends.

In 1994, after the US lifted up the embargo on Vietnam, Lelli started to realize his plan by launching a number of activities to connect young people of two countries. He led 6 George School’s delegations to visit Vietnam from 1996 – 2001 and was the Head of exchange programs from 1996 – 2007.

Based on the solid foundation of the relations, Croucher hoped the relations between George School and VUS as well as Vietnamese and American people would gradually be deepenedHe said “”When people meet face to face, it is less different and more common” to emphasize the importance of cultural exchanges

George School is the first American school that has visited Vietnam via the introduction of VUS after the normalization of diplomatic relations between US and Vietnam in 1995.

In over the last 20 years, the school has sent 18 delegations to Vietnam, to learn about the Vietnamese culture, history and people through various activities such as sightseeing, supporting AO/Dioxin victims, orphans etc.

During their visit, George School donated 150kg of medicine and medical equipment to E Hospital in 1998, 80 kg of medicine and medical equipment to Saint Paul Hospital in 2009 (worth USD 50,000). The school has also donated USD 30,000 to charitable organizations in Vietnam, as well as offering scholarship for Vietnamese students.

Cheryl Mellor is the Head of George School’s representative delegation visiting Vietnam from 2004. Her delegations have supported AO/Dioxin victims, orphans and the poor in remote areas. During their trips to Vietnam, they also visited the Vietnam Friendship Village and other Social Welfare center in in Bac Ninh and Hoa Binh province, etc.

Carter Sio was the Co – head of the School’s delegation in 10 years, from 2008. He and Mellor contributed to enhancing the friendship between American and Vietnamese youth, via promoting homestays program for George School’s students to gain insight of ethnic minorities in Vietnamese‘s mountainous areas./.

( Translated by Van Nguyen )