About us
The Vietnam Education Society (VES) works to improve educational opportunities for children in rural and remote areas of Vietnam.
Our main initiatives
VES was started in 2005 with an initial focus on raising funds for the construction of primary schools. Since then the organization has raised almost $2.5 million which has gone toward the construction of primary schools, primary school libraries and kindergartens along with all kinds of school supplies, kitchens and kitchen supplies, playground roofs and more.
Primary Schools
When VES began in 2005, there was a desperate need for primary school classrooms and many of those that were being used were in deplorable condition. The classrooms were often drafty, cold in the winter, hot in the spring and summer, and poorly lit. VES funded the construction of new primary schools for three communes.
Vietnam was fortunate to receive World Bank funding for primary school construction and at that point, VES began funding kindergartens.
Kindergartens
There is a real need for kindergartens (for children between 2 and 5) in rural Vietnam, especially in ethnic minority communities in the border regions. Many children in these communities are unable to go to kindergarten due to a lack of classroom space. Others attend kindergarten in a villager’s house, a small extra classroom at the primary school or in the village pagoda when it is not being used. These are far from ideal learning environments. Having a new spacious kindergarten with washrooms and storage space is so appreciated by the children, parents, teachers and commune members.
Kindergartens are so significant for the early education they provide. Having their child or children in school also allows both parents to work which improves the family’s economic prospects dramatically.
As of 2025, VES has funded the construction of 15 kindergartens in rural Vietnam. The kindergartens have been supplied with tables, chairs, toys, cots, blankets and teaching supplies. For most of these kindergartens, we have funded and supplied a kitchen for the kindergarten. Playground roofs have also been funded for many kindergartens. These roofs cover a large outdoor area and protect the children from the rain and the hot sun.
Lunch programs
We began a lunch program at the Cát Nê kindergarten in 2010 after noticing that children whose parents could not pay the nominal school lunch fee were sitting to the side while their classmates ate lunch. From that moment on, VES began paying for the lunches for the children at our kindergartens whose parents cannot afford the lunch fee. As we have built more kindergartens, the number of children to fund has increased even though some communities such as Cát Nê, have become more prosperous and now all parents are able to cover the lunch fee themselves. In 2025, VES is funding lunches for over 450 children.
Each school day, the children receive a nutritious and hearty lunch and a substantial afternoon snack. The kindergarten staff take the job of providing the children with healthy food very seriously. A big board in the kindergarten kitchens shows the meals for each day of that week and demonstrate how the meals supply food from all of the important food groups.
School lunches decrease malnutrition and dramatically improve children’s cognitive and physical development. About 40% of the children that attend VES kindergartens begin the school year malnourished. We weigh and measure the children at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. Almost all of the children who begin the school year malnourished are on track for weight and height by the middle of the year.
Protecting Young Women From Human Trafficking
VES works with the Pacific Links Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping stop human trafficking along the border regions in Vietnam. In a desperate desire to help their families, girls and young women are often tricked by traffickers who promise them good jobs. Instead they are trafficked for sexual or economic purposes.
VES provides 40 academic scholarships for at-risk girls and annually funds a significant portion of the costs of the summer camp run by the Pacific Links Foundation.
The beginning of VES
The inspiration
Carin and her husband Ken Coates adopted their beautiful daughter, Hana, from Thai Nguyen province in Vietnam in 2001. In an effort to say thank you for the gift of her daughter, Carin returned to Vietnam in 2005 to talk to local officials and find out how she could best help improve educational opportunities for rural Vietnamese children.
Creating our identity and becoming a charity
VES received charitable status in December 2005, and the first website was created. The logo was created by Norm Low, a friend of Carin’s father, Les Holroyd, and shows Vietnamese children in traditional clothing.
20 years on
In 2025 VES celebrates our 20th anniversary! We are grateful for all of the support we’ve received that enable us to do our work to help rural communities.
Our Board of Directors
Carin Holroyd
Founder and President
Read biography
Tung Hoang
Vietnam Director
Read biography
Ken Coates
Secretary
Read biography
Carolyn Willick
Treasurer
Read biography
Lien Le Khoshnevis
Director
Read biography
Lois Nahirney
Director
Read biography
Heather Bach
Director
Read biography
Our Partners
Pacific Links Foundation
The Pacific Links Foundation, through their Danang-based program manager Mr.Tung and contractor Mr. Anh, oversees all VES construction activity. Mr. Anh secures appropriate building designs, reviews the sites, negotiates with contractors and oversees all stages of construction.
Mr. Tung is VES’ partner in Vietnam. His hard work and kind personality ensure that VES funds are spent properly and responsibly and that we are able to do the most with the money we raise. VES is incredibly grateful to work with such wonderful partners. Thank-you Mr. Anh and Mr. Tung!
Learn more about Pacific Links
Ptarmigan Foundation
Since 2020, the Ptarmigan Foundation has become a major financial supporter of the Vietnam Education Society. Along with funding the construction costs for three two-room kindergartens, the Ptarmigan Foundation is also funding the lunch costs for all the children that attend these kindergartens. VES is incredibly grateful for the Ptarmigan
Foundation’s generous and kind support.
East Meets West Foundation
Between 2007 and 2016, the work of VES in Vietnam was aided immensely by our collaboration with the East Meets West Foundation (now called Thrive Networks outside of Vietnam). EMW has an impressive track record of charitable work in Vietnam. It has built hospitals, schools, university dormitories and compassion homes throughout the country. EMW ran a large school scholarship program and a variety of medical and dental programs.
East Meets West has supported VES financially but its major contribution has been logistical. VES would like to acknowledge the earlier work and support of Mr. Ron Smith, former Hanoi-based contractor for EMW. Thank-you Ron!
Learn about our projects
We aim to create safe, welcoming learning environments for children in rural communities to support their educational journey.
Get in touch
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Carin Holroyd
Founder and President
Carin and her husband Ken Coates adopted their beautiful daughter, Hana, from Thai Nguyen province in Vietnam in 2001. In an effort to say thank you for the gift of her daughter, Carin returned to Vietnam in 2005 to talk to local officials and find out how she could best help improve educational opportunities for rural Vietnamese children. Visits to numerous crumbling, dark and dingy classrooms confirmed the desperate need for new primary schools and kindergartens. VES received charitable status in December 2005 and fundraising for a primary school in Cát Nê began.
Carin is a professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. She was a member of UNICEF Canada’s 25th Team, a four year project developed to improving infant and maternal health in five countries in the developing world and UNICEF Canada’s Women Unlimited which funded educational initiatives in Bolivia, Ghana and Mongolia.
Lois Nahirney
Director
Lois Nahirney is the President and CEO of dnaPower Inc. and SkinDNA Inc. She has twins adopted from Vietnam. She has a doctorate in business and has held a number of international senior executive roles. She has been honoured with several women in business awards and volunteers extensively in the community and overseas.
As noted in her citation when she won a Women of Distinction award from the Vancouver YWCA:
”Lois has more than 25 years of global experience at the executive level of transitioning industries including shipping consulting, information technology and forestry. In her current role, she is a vocal advocate for engagement, leadership and life/work balance. In her work at Teekay, Lois helped introduce a new vision and strategic plan to address a rapidly changing industry, including facilitating a global effort to engage more than 6,000 employees from 120 ships and 26 offices around the world.
Lois has made “supporting women in business” a key focus of her career and community involvement for 20 years. She serves on numerous boards and is regularly sought out as a mentor and coach. Lois has spent more than ten years as Chair for WXN in Vancouver.”
Ken Coates
Secretary
Ken Coates is Professor Emeritus, University of Saskatchewan, and Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Indigenous Program at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. He was raised in the Yukon and has a long-standing interest in Aboriginal rights and northern issues. He has worked as a faculty member and administrator at universities across Canada and New Zealand. He has five children and seven grandchildren and is married to Carin Holroyd.
Tung Hoang
Vietnam Director
Tung Hoang serves as the Vietnam Director for VES, overseeing all VES operations and initiatives on the ground in Vietnam. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental in driving the success of our mission.
In addition to his role with VES, Tung is the Director of the SEEDS (Scholarship to Elevate Education and Develop Skills) program at the Pacific Links Foundation, where he works full-time to empower underprivileged students through education and skills development. With over 20 years of experience managing educational development programs and co-leading humanitarian projects, Tung has made a lasting impact on thousands of lives across Vietnam.
Tung lives in Da Nang with his wife, Tiên, and their two sons, Tommy and Alex. Together, they are deeply committed to creating opportunities for the next generation.
Carolyn Willick
Treasurer
Carolyn Willick holds the Treasurer role for Vietnam Education Society and has done so since its inception. As part of her contribution, she maintains the official charity records and ensures compliance with Revenue Canada Charities Directorate. Additionally, Carolyn plays a pivotal role in the society’s annual fundraising initiatives. Her seasoned career as a CPA and diverse experience plays a pivotal role in supporting the charity’s mission.
Carolyn’s personal connection to Asia, having expanded her family through adoption, deepens her commitment to the society’s mission. She takes particular pride in contributing to the development of educational facilities in Vietnam’s rural areas and supporting initiatives aimed at protecting young girls who are vulnerable. Carolyn’s work shows her skill and commitment to helping others.
Lien Le Khoshnevis
Director
Lien was born and raised in Vietnam. When she was 14 years old she joined thousands of refugees who had to flee their home country — the so-called Boat People – for a better life overseas. After spending a year moving between refugee camps, Lien and her family arrived in Los Angeles. There, Lien finally had the opportunity to receive a proper education and went complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from University of California, Irvine. Lien got married and moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1998. She now lives happily with her husband and two beautiful children in North Vancouver. Professionally, Lien is a Senior Business System Analyst for Telus Corporation. She has been working in Information Technology consulting for over 20 years. Lien is a successful professional and a devoted mother and wife.
Lien has served as a board member of VES since 2005. Her unique life experiences and her ability as a Vietnamese native speaker has helped VES in many ways. Lien considers herself blessed to have this opportunity to serve the community through VES. Looking back into her past struggles, she often wonders how she has gotten here. There have been so many big-hearted people in her life who have given to her and her family unconditionally. So now Lien is on a mission to give back. VES is the means for her to make that happen.
Heather Bach
Director
Heather is the Director of the Bach Counselling Group, a healthcare clinic providing evidence based counselling and treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship conflict, and ADHD along with clinical training for counsellors. With a Masters of Arts in Psychology, Heather specializes in trauma and executive high performing leadership with a focus on attachment and the neuroscience of mental health.
WIth a background in program development for family violence, resiliency, mindfulness and adoption, Heather has extensive specialized training and experience in her work with trauma and family relationships. She routinely presents at events and forums on peak performance, resiliency and flow.
Heather and her husband Steve brought their daughter Mia home from Hung Yen province, Vietnam, in 2001. Inspired by the gift of Mia and the impact of Carin’s work in Vietnam, Heather was honoured to join the VES Board of Directors.
Beyond her work life, Heather enjoys time with her family, cycling, skiing, trail running, creating art and traveling.