Karen Leonard has resided in Essendon, Australia, all of her life. For the past thirty years she has successfully run a small business in Essendon, The Karen Leonard Music School.
A dedicated traveler since the age of eighteen, Karen has visited many countries. In 2000 while backpacking through Vietnam, Karen met a young street kid and they had an instant connection. He introduced Karen to his world, his fellow street kid friends and their families. It wasn't long before Karen was supporting several street kids by encouraging them back to school and paying their education costs. After retu... full info
JOHN RADGICK AUSTRALIAJohn, a wonderful sounding-board and advisor.
Both John and his wife Denise are great supporters of Lifestart Foundation.
GIAO VIETNAMGiao, is a friend, translator and advisor on cultural sensitivities.
CUONG TRAN AUSTRALIACuong is a terrific sounding board for Karen, he is pictured here late at night helping Karen with a particularily difficult translation and assessment in Hoi An.
ROBYN MORLEY AUSTRALIARobyn pictured setting up the new Lifestart Foundation Free School.
NHAT VIETNAMNhat is the Vice-President of our disabled group. She volunteers tirelessly for her group and also helps Karen with translations.
LEE DIB AUSTRALIALee is an extraordinary ESL teacher. Lifestart students and Karen were very grateful to have her volunteer.
FIONA JONES AUSTRALIAFiona helps to sell some of the items produced by Lifestart recipients and also helps with mountains of photocopying.
DOROTHEE MALENGER FRANCEDorothee is a nurse and volunteered with helping some of our sick people and families. She is now based in Africa.
SARAH KLINESarah volunteered teaching English and also held fabulous art classes for children attending the Lifestart Foundation Free School.
GARY & FRIENDS AUSTRALIAGary and his two friends, all members of the Victorian Police Force volunteered with some of the heavy work that was needed at the school.
JESS GRIGG AUSTRALIAJess volunteered teaching English. Jess is pictured with Karen visiting Tuan at his home. Tuan attends the Lifestart Foundation Free School.
SINH - KAREN &TU VIETNAMKaren and her two adopted sons. Both Sinh and Tu help Karen and Lifestart tremendously. An added bonus is that Tu is a wonderful cook ( lucky, because Karen isn't!).
VOLUNTEER DINNERTu and Sinh cooked a sensational meal for the volunteers this particular evening.
VO THANH TU VIETNAMTu is a regular "Mr. fix it" in addition to being a beautiful wood carver and furniture maker. He is extremely handy and always at the ready to lend a helping hand. Tu is pictured here helping at the Lifestart Foundation Free School.
DAVE SHARPE AUSTRALIADave volunteers managing the Lifestart Foundation website. He is also participating in the fundraising bike ride from Hanoi to Sapa in November 2008.
JADE LEONARD AUSTRALIAJade is Karen's daughter. She helps out with a thousand and one tasks at the Melbourne end of Lifestart Foundation.
Chris Francke
non-member comment
Good luck Hiep for all your friends in Melbourne!
Keep growing those herbs!!!