In November 2008 six bicycle riders departed Australia to complete the ride of a lifetime in Vietnam. After months of fundraising and training (some more than others on the training side of things!) they arrived at Hanoi's Noi Bai airport, full of anticipation, nerves and excitement. I had arrived in Vietnam a few months before and made my way up to Hanoi to meet the group. This was the first fundraising event of this kind for Lifestart Foundation and it was with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety that my eldest son Tu and I joined the group to complete the trip on motor bike. I was keen to take part so as I could recommend it to future participants first hand. I have never riden a bicycle so pedaling was not an option for me! ... read more

Doctor John Sherman was introduced to me by a mutual friend, Richard Tregear. John and Richard have been friends for fifteen years and have worked together at Open Family, an outreach program in Melbourne for many years. John first attended our annual Lifestart Foundation Dinner Dance and Charity Auction a few years ago and subsequently became interested in the work that Lifestart Foundation was doing in Vietnam. It wasn't long before he volunteered to come over and help. After returning from his first volunteering trip with Lifestart, John published a story in Australian Doctor Magazine. The following is an excerpt from this story. Dr.John Sherman. “WORKING FOR KAREN”. I have recently worked in Vietnam for 2 weeks with Karen Leonard’s charity, LIFESTART FOUNDATION.This charity is based in central Vietnam,in Hoi An,on the South China Sea. Lifestart ... read more

Two years ago I wrote my very first blog about a young Vietnamese boy named Sinh. Many of you who have been following my blogs for some time may remember this blog. (For those of you who haven’t read Sinh’s story, please have a read so you may understand the significance of this update: click here... Sinh's Original Blog). Since this first blog, so many positive things have happened in Sinh's life. He has spent a year in Saigon studying with a group of respected artists. He has now returned to Hoi An to immerse himself in the artistic community and continues to follow his passion. Sinh has been mentored under the Lifestart Foundation Jobstart Program and is a shining example of how this program works very successfully. Recently, a most luxurious new resort has been ... read more

During the last year or so of the American War (as it is termed in Vietnam) Luong was a happy twelve-year old living with her family in a village thirty kilometres from Hoi An. Then one fateful day a bomb was dropped so close to her family home that it was instantly incinerated. Whilst the rest of her family scrambled out of the inferno relatively unscathed, Luong's lower body took part of the blast and she lost both legs. Though she had attended school until Year 3 and can thus read and write, this was the end of Luong's education as she had no means by which to get to school. As is the Vietnamese way, particularly in times of adversity, Luong improvised. Over the past 34 years she has moved herself around using two small ... read more

You will remember Birdman (aka James Everson-Crane from the UK) who in support of Lifestart. flew across the Yarra River in Melbourne like a …well like a glorious, white, emu type bird! Well now the intrepid Birdman is planning to reach new heights. On August 30th 2008 he is planning an ascent of Mont Blanc which at 4810m is the highest mountain in the Alps and all of Western Europe. Once again James aims to raise sponsorship for Lifestart. He has totally funded his own trip so all money donated will go directly to help those in need. If you would like to sponsor James or give him any words of encouragement, please leave a comment below. Many thanks, Lots of Love from Karen. www.lifestartfoundation.org.au REMINDER: Lifestart Foundation Christmas in July Dinner Dance And Silent ... read more