Right from the beginning we tried very hard to set up local teams, which would be based in the villages and fully involved in the programs, close to the people. It used to be forbidden -and it is still pretty difficult, to set up a local NGO in Vietnam. We needed a dozen years for our Vietnamese team! Thiên Chí, which means "good will", was born in 2006. Anh Dương followed in 2009.
There are many Khmer NGOs but too often they are dependant of foreign NGOs, they are merely sub-contractors. Mékong Plus works with PTEA and CFED to strenghten them: training, audit, reinforcement of their board of directors, team work.
Interesting exchanges take place with the teams in Vietnam, especially in Hâu Giang where there is a large Khmer community,
In Europe we are 2 non-profit organizations:
In France: Mekong Plus is an organization under the French Law of Associations 1901, created in 1994 and lead by an elected board of directors and a chairman.
In Belgium: Mekong Plus is an "ASBL" (association sans but lucratif, or non profit organization) (registration number: 861.887.263).
Mékong Plus works in Cambodia and in Vietnam.
The 2 organizations are cross linked through their boards of directors and make together all the decisions for their actions in Vietnam.
In Viêtnam
We are registered with the Vietnamese authorities for Bình Thuân and for Hâu Giang. provinces. There are 4 teams, one per district, and each with its own director. The Executive Committee -composed of the senior staff, decides for all important matters. Our main partners in Viêtnam are Thiên Chí (Bình Thuận province), Anh Dương (Hậu Giang province), Mekong-Quilts and Mekong Creations.
In Cambodia
Mekong Plus is registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It expands its actions with small local NGOs: CFED and PTEA, plus a community development program in Rumdoul, all in Svay Riêng province.
All actions in these 2 countries are coordinated by an Executive Committee, composed of about 20 cadres. Bernard KERVYN is also a member, he assists the teams in their development, keeps updated the teams in France and Belgium, and looks for funding.
