A Journey of Hope and Transformation
Laughter fills the air at KOTO’s new school in Bac Ninh Province during the annual “Home for Dinner” event, a celebration of community and growth. This moment encapsulates the spirit of an organization that has transformed the lives of countless young people over the past 25 years.
Jimmy Pham, the founder of KOTO, recalls his first visit to Vietnam three decades ago. It was during this trip that he encountered street children selling coconut candies by the Saigon River. The experience left a lasting impression on him, leading him to establish KOTO, a hospitality training school for disadvantaged youth and Vietnam’s first social enterprise.
During his two-week work trip, Jimmy spent time with the children, buying them daily items and ensuring they had meals. Word of his kindness spread, and eventually, up to 60 children would follow him to a pho restaurant. This encounter inspired him to return to Vietnam, where he could make a meaningful impact on their lives.
From a Simple Idea to a Global Movement
Jimmy moved abroad as an infant and spent his early years traveling with his family before settling in Australia. His Vietnamese mother emphasized the importance of education, which became the driving force behind his decision to return to Vietnam. He rented a house in Hanoi and began tutoring nine newspaper delivery kids. Over the next three years, he checked in on them regularly, but when they confessed they were tricking him, it marked a turning point.
This revelation taught Jimmy that giving was not enough; he needed to teach them how to support themselves. In 1999, he used his savings to open a pizza shop on Van Mieu Street, employing street children and offering them training. This small initiative laid the foundation for KOTO, which would soon expand beyond its initial scope.
At the time, the concept of a social enterprise was unfamiliar in Vietnam. Many doubted the idea of a school that trained disadvantaged youth, sold pizzas, and provided shelter for the homeless. Despite the skepticism, KOTO gained international attention, especially after a photo of Jimmy and the children appeared on the front page of a British newspaper. In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton visited the tiny pizza shop, further amplifying KOTO’s global profile.
Challenges and Resilience
KOTO faced significant challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. With no tourists and shuttered restaurants, the organization struggled financially. Jimmy found himself in a difficult situation when landlords evicted students for unpaid rent. At one point, he stood at a busy intersection in Hanoi, overwhelmed and tearful, unsure of where to turn.
However, the KOTO community rallied together. Alumni donated funds, offered spaces for internships, and supported the organization through tough times. This crisis reinforced the strength of the network Jimmy had built over the years.
The name KOTO—“Know One, Teach One”—was inspired by a conversation with Huy, one of the first students. After years of supporting Huy and his siblings, Jimmy asked him to help others in the future. That philosophy became the core of KOTO’s mission, guiding generations of graduates who now hold prominent positions in various industries.
Success Stories and Ongoing Impact
Nguyen Thi Thu, a graduate from the second cohort, describes Jimmy as her “moon,” a source of guidance and compassion. She met him while selling candy to support her family and credits him with changing her life. Today, she leads training programs at a multinational corporation, while her sister works as a personal chef to an ambassador in Vietnam.
Bien Thi Lien, another graduate, recalls how Jimmy helped her during a dark period in her life. After losing her parents and brother, she fell into deep depression. Jimmy’s encouragement and support led her to rebuild her life, and she is now a sous chef in Australia.
KOTO has empowered over 1,700 graduates, many of whom have become successful professionals in Vietnam, Australia, and beyond. The organization continues to expand, focusing on reaching more impoverished children, especially girls in remote areas.
Education and Opportunities
Each 24-month course at KOTO costs over VND250 million (US$9,500), but it is completely free for students. They receive 400 hours of theory, 400 hours of practice, and conversational English training. Graduates earn international certifications, securing jobs in five-star hotels with monthly salaries ranging from VND10 to 15 million, along with opportunities overseas.
Jimmy Pham has received numerous awards for his contributions, including an honorary doctorate from RMIT. However, all award money goes back into KOTO. He continues to live modestly, often relying on his family to support the organization’s students and its new Dream School in Bac Ninh.
Supporting a Brighter Future
On October 25, RMIT Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City campus will host a Guinness World Records attempt to create the largest number 25 using 600 loaves of bread, raising funds for KOTO’s Dream School. Your support can help disadvantaged youth, children from ethnic minority communities, and teens in remote areas transform their lives and shape a brighter future.
VND Account
Account No.: 73007300404
Bank: TPBank (Tiên Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank)
Account Holder: Quỹ Hy vọng (Hope Foundation)
Transfer Note: [Your Name]_Dream School
USD Account
Account Name: HOPE FOUNDATION
Account No.: 73007300503
Bank: TIEN PHONG COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK, HANOI, VIETNAM
Address: TPBank Building – 57 Ly Thuong Kiet – Hoan Kiem District – Hanoi
Swift Code/BIC: TPBVVNVX
