A message from our Country Director, Filip Graovac
"All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” (Calvin Coolidge, Former US President)
We in Vietnam are in a specific, transitional period of time when the country has moved from low income to a low-middle income country. However, this landmark does not mean that our work here is done. By far, as figures known to be deceiving, so is this one. There are still many people that live on the verge of poverty and hunger. There are still numerous individuals that are dying from natural and human instigated causes. There are still many children that are malnourished. In order to achieve this growth for everyone in the Vietnamese society we have to be active. Active in advocacy, active in raising awareness, active in mobilizing and active in fulfilling the duty we have in this country. And all of this can only be achieved with an effort – WORK. All of us at ADRA Vietnam are committed to working closely with the Vietnamese people and all of the local and international institutions in reaching this growth in everyone’s life.
My name is Filip Graovac. My wife of almost 9 years and I are expecting our first baby which is going to be born right here in Hanoi. So, this is going to be a completely new chapter in our life, new country, new people and a new baby. Even though I am originally from Serbia, I like to think of myself as a citizen of the World. I have been involved in humanitarian work since my early years. During and in the aftermath of the civil war in former Yugoslavia, I started volunteering with various NGOs. That was the beginning of a journey that I am still on. Previously, my wife and I have lived, studied and worked in four different continents and seven countries. However, Vietnam is a completely new experience for us and we are excited to be here and part of a new era in Vietnam’s progress.